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Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Been anxiously awaiting the "approval" to post because my son received a very generous offer from a D1 school last night and he was told he only has a few weeks to respond. Some background - he is a 2020 grad, RHP 6'3" 200 lbs., smart kid. He also happens to be a strong QB and because of football, he doesn't have the camp or showcase exposure. He goes to a very small, private school and aspires to go out of state for college. The D1 offer is in state. As luck would have it, a game was...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
How hard does he throw? Was he seen last summer? Does he like the school? Is your son talking to other D1 schools? How seriously?
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
As far as I know, last time he was clocked was last summer at 85. But I have to say, since the he has grown 2 inches and 30 lbs. He hasn't been clocked since. Only opportunity he had last summer was a few local travel tournaments where he was asked to "guest play." He doesn't necessarily want to go to the school because it is too close to home (hope that doesn't say anything about me!!)
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
And as far as talking to other D1 schools - not really. Been receiving the standard camp invites and such, but none are as aggressive as the school that made the offer.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
It’s really hard to say. I think a lot of the premiere program’s recruit pitchers first, so there have all ready been a lot of right-handed pitchers committed to programs. What criteria is he looking for outside of not in his state? What prompted the offer yesterday? How many right-handed pitchers have they committed for the 2020 class? If it were me, I think I would get him in front of a gun in the next week to see what your working with. If he’s made huge gains you are safer was not taking...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Welcome to the site. There is so much to address in your post and only two weeks to do so . Be aware that you can search threads here and find a ton of info for any recruiting question. Congrats to him on the offer! Answers to most of your questions require more questions. Why does he aspire to go out of state? Is that a dream with depth, something that has been researched? Or is it more superficial - wants to get away from home, admires the power 5 schools he sees on TV for the CWS, etc.?
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
That's just my point, he WAS seen by this school's head coach (when he was a freshman for that matter). I think he has a great deal of faith in his ability and potential I suppose? The coach asked us to visit a few weeks back - we did and he formalized the offer last night. My biggest worry at this point is having him throw when he has only been throwing a football for the past few months! I am not even sure a couple of weeks with him throwing every night will get him warm enough for Nov.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I would not. If he doesn’t want to go to the school that made the offer, the answer is easy. That said, there are no guarantees on another D1 offer. That is VERY odd that a coach would make an offer when he hadn’t seen a kid throw for two years.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
IMO, yes, definitely risky and, as I said, risky from both a performance and safety standpoint. As I'm sure you know, ramping back up for a pitcher who hasn't thrown in a few months is typically a few month process... throw short, stretch out, flat ground, pens FB only, mix off speed, get sharp, build velo back up, etc. Shortcuts to this process are dangerous. Your worry in regards to doing a showcase in two weeks are warranted. To magnify concerns, pitching in showcase environment typically...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Good points CabbageDad - and I think his wanting to go out of state are just to get away from home and relish in the glory of a "cool" D1 school. I don't think many 17 yr. old athletes have the ability to look at academics when it's the sports enticing them. I obviously want him to get a great education first and foremost....let's face it, how many go to the MLB? I just want to give him the exposure without hurting his opportunity.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I appreciate the advice both of you have provided. NOTHING is worth my son getting hurt over! I suppose he is so excited (because of the generous offer) and it just makes me wonder if more schools see him, would that make a difference. Oh, to be a parent. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I think it will be helpful to you both if you really drill down on a specific recruiting plan and target school list with more definitive rationale. Part of the process, one of many steps is gaining a good understanding of the realistic issues and costs regarding the in-state/out-of-state thing as previously mentioned. Perhaps he can just share with the D1 offer school that he wasn't prepared to make a decision in that timeframe and ask for a bit more time. Meanwhile, also compile a list of...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Concur with above comments. GPA/ACT? trying to gauge where he is... you will always be able to leverage having a D1 offer for other opportunities. If he is a strong student, Ivy's like to recruit kids who have D1 offers. Totally agree with the physical risk involved here. If baseball doesn't work out, your son has to like the school (whether in state or out of state)
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I also believe a big unknown is where my son stacks up against the rest - and yes, I know this is the 25 million dollar question. That is why I like the idea of getting him to a top notch showcase, so if anything, he can get hit with a little bit of reality. So, with that being said, any particular showcase/camp/tryout you guys would recommend?
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I assume you live Delaware. Where is he wanting to go statewise (south, 2 hours away, west coast) I assume he aspires to play D1. There is always the risk of bird in the hand versus the one that might fly by. It is a risk for all of us but when you get the offer with a time attached it becomes very ramped up. If it is a place he could not see himself being happy then the answer is clear. If he just had not considered them, then maybe more looking into what they have to offer. If it is level...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
He hasn't taken the SAT yet GOV, but based on previous standardized tests, he should fare well. As far as his GPA, he is a 3.75 at least. His HS is very tough academically (not known for sports!!) and very small - like 60-70 in the graduating class. As far as Ivy League, not sure he would qualify academically. If they allow wiggle room for athletes, well, I think it would be ideal. If I won the MegaMillions
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
PITCHINGFAN, I don't think my son knows what he wants! I am just trying to be as informed as I possibly can be to help steer him in the right direction. He is very fortunate to receive this offer and he knows that...but I think it is too early to make a decision this big.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Well I can agree that it is hard to make a big decision in a short period of time, you should also realize that a lot of D1 level 2020 right-handed pitchers have already committed at this point.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Then there is your answer. Accepting an offer as a junior is not for everyone. At the least, it should make for great talking points with him about what he is wanting. When my son started getting offers, we had to have long talks about what he would take and from who. I told him it was only partly his decision since I was paying for part of it. It became clear real quickly what he would take and wouldn't and from who. that cleared up a lot of the mud in the river. Just know that an offer as...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Sounds like you have a talented son and perhaps there are more offers in the future. I would sit down with your son and talk to him, find out what he wants and make a plan to get there. He received a D1 offer with apparently not much dedication and focus to the process. That’s not criticism, more an acknowledgement maybe your son is more talented than you realize.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I guess I would have to ask how many offers does he have as a OB? Because if the answer is none then why have you let football interfere with baseball? As that seems like where his future lies.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
You had a visit a few weeks ago, and you're just now thinking about other schools??? Come on, man. Your kid cant be ready in a couple of weeks to showcase his arm. This may be your only offer. Don't blow it.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
If he likes the school and has an opportunity to make an impact there, there’s no reason to wait. The coaches clearly want him If he doesn’t see himself going there right now, try to get more exposure.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Letitgo, let me offer the other perspective. My son's first offer had a similar deadline put on it. He turned it down without having another offer in hand. Nerve-wracking for the parents!! But if your son doesn't feel like its the right fit . . . Every situation is different, but I guess from a practical standpoint, if you believe he will be touching 88-90 this Spring, he should be in a good position.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
1). Make a list of 10 schools he would want to play baseball at. 2). Take a look at what their recruiting classes look like on PG. If they already have 8+ kids committed it's probably not going to happen. 3). Sit down and realistically decide whether he is good enough to play at the top five or so schools on the list. If you think he's good enough, and they still look to be recruiting hold off until the summer. 4). Decide if the current offer is worth passing up for schools lower on the list...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I say take the offer and be thankful you got it! As a dad of a 2019, 6' 3", 180 lb, 88 mph RHP, good grades and ACT, with tons of exposure (lots of PG tournaments, Jupiter, WWBA, etc.... over the past three years, with tremendous success at these tournaments), from the largest classification highschool in the state and a State championship under his belt, and not a single offer from a D1-3, I would highly recommend considering this offer.....because mid 80s RHPs are a dime a dozen.
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I really, really appreciate the perspectives from all of you. This information is very eye-opening - to say the least. After a meeting yesterday with a trusted coach/advisor, I think I also got my shot of reality (in a good way!) I was provided with a list of schools that matched my son's interests AND that he would have a great chance of getting into...I had no idea. We are going to do this the right way, be patient, visit a lot of schools, get him ready for a killer junior year of baseball...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I will add (agreeing with stayfocused), I think a lot of people think D1 offers come more easily than they do. My son is a 2020 who was 6’2, throwing 90mph all summer. There were lots of schools talking to him but he only got two actual offers until the end of the summer when he started hitting 91. There are TONS of RHP throwing mid 80s. Frankly, there are a lot throwing 90...as sophomores. The talent pool is big and these schools have a lot to choose from.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Letitgo....first, congrats on the offer...it's always fun to get that "first one" under the belt. I guess my biggest question is "what is generous". You don't have to answer here...maybe PM me if you want some insight (my son is a senior RHP at a mid-major. "Generous" offers for RHP throwing 85 don't come often....in fact if it's a bigger D1, a "generous" offer for a RHP may take 90+. I don't see the big showcase being an option now...especially if he isn't in "game shape". He could get hurt...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
We are living parallel lives..... son is a 2019 6'4 200 lb RHP, sitting 87-90 all summer, went to all the events, top travel team, no offers from D1s. Good grades and SAT. Hard part is looking on PG and seeing schools we talked to signing kids whose FB velocities are lower than his by 3-4 mph. He does have 2 D1 juco offers, and may go with one of them. So I would try to convince my kid to take the offer.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
If he was offered by a D1, perhaps they know something you don't? It's less likely they would offer a 2020 RHP throwing mid 80's, and much more likely they would have clocked his velo and saw a number they liked. Get him clocked asap - so you know where he is today.....
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
To me the bolded comment gives you your answer. He's a 2020 with plenty of showcase and recruiting time ahead of him. Why say yes to the first thing that comes along if he doesn't want to go there? He should aspire to commit to a school he would love to go to (unless and until that is no longer possible).
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Because HS football is awesome and most every kid I know who plays (my son included) considers it one of the best things he's done in HS. It also makes him a better baseball player - stronger, faster and tougher.
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Um, what about the present? That's kind of important for a kid, as well. Some parents lose sight of that chasing the all important partial scholarship and the probability he'll never make a real living playing baseball or football.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
A 2018 kid in my son's high school league had a nice offer from a solid D1 here on the west coast. Only offer he had - he waited and waited until offer was off the table. Fast forward 6 months, he did commit to another D1 school with a strong baseball program that pretty much guaranteed a roster spot (he's a solid D1 level pitcher), however no money Risky to wait. Especially if head coach is leading the charge. Good luck either way.
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I think you are picking up on some great information and great perspective in a hurry. This is probably a mute point based on your post above. But, I was doing a bit of dot connecting. If I'm on the right track, your son's D1 in-state offer came from one of two schools. Purely from a baseball standpoint, one has a decent program, established coach, plays more of a true D1 schedule. The other... not so much. If the offer was from the other, you should really have far less reservations about...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Nonamedad, why is the question? There has to be something if your son is throwing 93. Is it consistency, control, or something else. I would have a conversation with a coach or have your travel coach ask. There has to be something that is keeping him from getting offers. You don't throw that speed on good teams and not get offers. It may be a simple fix or it may be something that cannot be fixed easily but there is something. I know too many guys who are topping 88 RHP who have offers.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Well done! I would also have him circle back with the offering coach and explain that he was behind in the preparation front, though not ready to accept now, would really appreciate circling back next summer (something to that effect). Something tells me the offer will still be in his pocket next year. Congrats and good luck, be sure to keep us posted!
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I never said 93.... 87-90 all summer. I think being a late bloomer may have hurt him, last summer he was 82. Added strength and worked hard to get to 90. I’m waiting for the Jupiter numbers to hit to see where he ranks, has to be in the 80% range. And he is sitting 89-90, saw may kids that dropped off a cliff after 1 inn at 90-93 then sat 86-88. Hard to say why there is no interest. Everyone says D1 ability.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I guess. My son's senior year he had a freshman catcher who played football and ran track. Four years now as a standout receiver on a football team that has lost four games total in 5A and won a state championship. Finished the regular season about two or three wins shy of the record for consecutive regular-season games won, around 55 I believe. My wife talked to his mom at the store the other day and she admitted they're concerned about his recruitment in baseball. College coaches will...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
FWIW, Jupiter numbers are posted. 90 mph is the 95th percentile (95.22%) in PG's database for the 2019 class this year.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Yes, no doubt football gets in the way of baseball recruiting. But you can make it work. Remember, we're not talking about an MLB prospect here, and likely not a Power 5 prospect (2020s are mostly committed to P5s by now), so he's not going to be making a living playing baseball. Giving up everything a kid loves for baseball for a kid like this doesn't make sense, IMO.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
I absolutely love the passion all of you have for this game (and also for your sons). I am not banking on my son playing in the MLB, but when a kid has 2 more seasons to go in HS, A LOT can change, hopefully for the better. Who are we to predict the future? Call me an optimist, but if my son decides to put in the work necessary to be better, who knows what could happen? If he aspires to go to the MLB, good for him, I just hope he enjoys the ride, doesn't look back and has no regrets. That...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
It sounds like you've taken a lot of positive out of this discussion. Just one last point - although your son has 2 more HS seasons remaining (sounds like a lot), he's really got about 8-10 months left for college recruiting, maybe a little more if he lands at a D3.
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
Sorry. I assumed if he sat 89-90 he had topped about 93. Normally where you sit is 3-4 mph slower than top. Numbers are out today.
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Yes, one can "make it work". My son was a really good basketball player also. He played both basketball and baseball freshman year, was hurt sophomore year, did again junior year. After that he told me he just couldn't do both at an acceptable level. He wasn't OK being "OK" at both. I very much respected him for that. At every level of college baseball there are good and bad programs and everything in between. The players that end up in the bottom tier programs didn't decide "I want to play...
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Re: Advice ASAP with D1 offer
If your son has the talent to play at a P5 school on almost a full ride, then it makes sense for him to focus on baseball and go in fully prepared. This isn't the case with the OP, he's looking mid-D1 to D3 and not getting any love yet. Totally different scenario. I've seen plenty of kids focus on baseball only to end up at a s#it program anyway, or not play in college at all, after having given up football or basketball or some other activity they really enjoyed. I think that's a mistake.