Tagged With "1B"
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big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
I've searched & read the forums but my son & I haven't really got a handle from reading those posts what to think.. Appreciate any/all advice. My son is 6'-3" 220lbs 15y5m old HS Sophomore. Lucky to be blessed with size - is still growing & has big broad shouldered muscular frame. 1B/RHP/3B - but fastest 60yd dash is like high 7.8's (& more like 7.9-8.0 typically) thus far. Yet still can often steal bases even at college showcase games vs all ages as he anticipates very well...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Big hitting will trump foot speed for a 1B. (Also, improved speed may come with training and the end of growth. And, there is a DH.) If he is a big hitter.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
First of all, I don't think 7.8 is that slow for a 1B who can really hit the ball. Wouldn't rule out D1 simply because of that...especially once you get out of the upper tier of teams. Check out the D2 rosters of schools you are looking at. Most of the schools in our area are 90% JUCO transfers. Hard to even get them to give a HS player the time of day. They only have 9 scholarships to work with and are very stingy with giving any money to non-proven players.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Understand really hit for a big, slow first baseman means a constant threat to hit one out. Slow runners clog the bases if they’re not clearing them. If he wants to play D1 he should be thinking pitching with his size and potential to improve his velocity overall the next couple of years. Given you don’t see him as a pro prospect you may have the process backwards. What does he want to do with his life? What does he want for a major? Where does he want to go to school? Then cross schools of...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
I like the perspective. I'm with others... if he can hit the crap out of good pitching, there will be a spot for him somewhere. I would recommend allotting a good chunk of time and effort toward speed and agility (and anything to help with athleticism). Be prepared... a whole lot of folks will want to look at him as a P, particularly if the velo climbs as would be expected. The big size is a definite plus as a P. The down side to being big AND slow as a position player is that there is...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
There are 7.8 60 1B's in D1... And he can absolutely play somewhere in college. Make sure he keeps working hard on hitting. In our experience there is a huge leap in hitting when you go from 15U/16U to 17U/18U and start facing pitchers throwing upper 80's to low 90's with nasty sliders and arm side run. If he can truly hit that level of pitching there will be D1's that want him. Most of the big 1B's that I know lately that run 7.8-8.0 are going JUCO out of high school
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
If he runs a legitimate consistent 7.9 sixty, then he's not SLOW, in my opinion.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Yes he is a realistic threat to "hit them out".. Not constantly at this point, but it happens.. At a recent Coastal showcase he hit one out during one of their games then we laughed when we got his 60yd time back & their note that said they " might look at a 7.1-7.3" at corner infield.. (as in - "not you" - lol) Though obviously that's a higher end D1 baseball school.. but still, everything I read here suggests he would need to be in that range generally to actually see the field at...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
7.9 is slow. Most definitely. Any slower than that and you should be either a Catcher or a PO. There are plenty of D1's who will refuse to have a 7.9 position player on their roster. And there are some D1's who would welcome a 7.9 guy who can really hit
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
I think you are selling your son short. 1st base is not a speed position. It is a hitting it over the fence or an RBI position in the batting lineup and a "make the infielders throws look good" with a great glove defensively. If your son can convince many college coaches he has these skills then you're halfway there. I don't recall any college first baseman stealing bases or having a tremendous throwing arm. Focus on producing runs with the bat, and then see who is interested without regard...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
But is it SLOW? lol
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Woudn't the key metric coaches would be most interested in for a kid like this be his exit velo? A plus hitting measureable could outweigh sub-optimal speed at 1B. In other words, they may be inclined to take a closer look at whether he can really hit if his exit velo that is 90+ (despite a low 60). Without that, I would be concerned he'd never get a serious look. What's his exit velo?
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
He did a PG this Summer & it was 89 (tee/wood) And on HitTrax max with BBCOR is 96 (close front pitched / bbcor).. With different people with their different radar gizmos it seems like it's all over the place to be honest. But safe to say high 80's I would think.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
thank you & I do think I could be selling my son short but really try hard to not be "that dad" who thinks his son is some big thing.. He's blessed with size & tools - but clearly NOT one of the 3 measurables that seems to stop you dead - the 60. It's the first thing they do at these events.. Our Fall travel season ended with a PG tourney at end of September, & since we've just been going to some colleges for fun father/son Sundays & some experience for him & to see/tour...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
I'll try to drill down further to your core questions. First, regarding the 60 time... As a big power 1B, there is some allowance and he certainly doesn't have to be a 7.0 guy but I respectfully disagree with a few others here. I think you are right to think that something very close to 8.0 will likely eliminate him from consideration at most decent D1 programs, as you have already experienced to a degree. If you are looking for that magic number, it doesn't exist because there are too many...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
I would not worry about anything at 15, especially if he is still growing and getting through any awkward stages. Work on speed,strength, conditioning and of course skills. If around, get on the best travel team where he can play. Riding pine does not garner much exposure. Always strive to improve Remember that there is a Hierarchy and I would not focus on a level at this point. His level will make itself known as he grows and matures. By that I mean The Bid Dogs will find you if you meet...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
For a big, strong, slow first baseman recruiting becomes an eye of the beholder issue. In high school and travel a lot of the D1 recruits are middle of the field players with power, speed and agility. At many D1’s first and DH are where players are moved who can hit and didn’t win their position. A friend/former teammate’s son was recruited to a top ranked program, became an All American shortstop, first round pick and has played seven-plus years in the majors. Freshman year he was a...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
2BOY’s has an important point about academics. I’ve always joked if a kid hits .250 and gets a C in math the dad is more likely to hire a hitting instructor than a math tutor. The money I spent on private SAT tutoring was as important as the hitting instructor.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
For reference, my kid was a big, slow 1B in high school, and he played 4 year at a top 20 D3 program. He started years 2-4. He hit with power, even in a system where it wasn't a priority. You just don’t see many D1 hitters who look “slow” running to 1st base. Even the big guys look athletic running. This process doesn't have to be very difficult for him. Next fall, attend a few camps. Inexpensive lower ranked D1 (PSU, Rider, etc) and different level D2 (Shippensburg, Seton Hill, etc). Those...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
I thought I had the corner market on the big and slow talent … nice to know that it's not a lonely place (and others can appreciate the cost of my weekly grocery bill). This past summer, I had a player development evaluator suggest that "no one will care how fast (or how slow) he runs" … if my 13 yr old continues to develop and reaches the projections for his power hitting potential. That said, a 60 yd dash > 8 seconds is SLOW! My son needs to know that and he needs to own it! As parents,...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Agree completely with CABBAGEDAD. If we could go back in time, the focus for my son would've been on speed and strength more. My son is 6'2" 200lbs, but when he lost 15lbs he shaved 0.2 sec off his 60 time. He was also always told as a catcher speed didn't matter, but to many schools it does, even if the bat is there. D1 schools want him faster and stronger (he's also a power bat), so he runs a 7.4 now and it's still not fast enough for that level. My advice is get that 60 time down as best...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
If he Really hits and mashes he can play at every level. Problem is you need to be one of the best 3-4 hitters of the roster to play while as a good SS you "only" need to be one of the best 10-12 hitters of the roster to play. That is important to consider. If you lose the 1b job usually it means sitting while a MIF has other options if he gets beat out. So that is a decision to make. If you believe you can be a top 4 hitter in a D1 roster go for it but if you want an easier time to playing...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
My take - 7.9 is too slow however he’s 15.5 years and a soph. He will naturally get faster and with some work shave half a second off. My son had a D3 tell him 7.4-7.5 a must for 1B. He ran high 7’s, next year 7.17 electrically timed. All schools different though. Just keep working on it and if he’s still growing and a masher you will be in great shape.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
This topic is very relevent to me as this is something my kid is working through (2021 grad). His best 60 was a 7.69 this fall but he is consistently in the 7.8 range and currently working hard at improving. He wants to be able to stick at 3B and not just be a 1B/DH The difference between a 7.4 60 and a 7.9 60 is a 0.1 split per 10 yards. Assume a 1.9 first 10 yards and a 1.1 split for every ten yards after that is a 7.4 60 and a 1.2 split per 10 is a 7.9 ... Shave a 0.1 off the start and...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
I know a kid ... left hand power hitter ... who fits this profile almost exactly. Don't know his exact 60 time, but I know it was slow. Played HS ball my son. Big brute of a kid. Nice swing. Slow as molasses! But he could hit. He also pitched but couldn't get past the mid eighties. He was a recruited walk-on at a local D1. Got cut. Transferred to a local D2 where he has played 1st base steadily since sophomore year. Still slow as molasses. Another kid from my son's travel team, who played...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
No worries! 7.8 is fine for a big hitter and most D1. So long as they don't clog up the bases then a coach will go with a big bat in the 4th to 8th spot in the lineup.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
7.8 DOES clog up the bases!
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Maybe you can't see him getting too much faster, but he can get faster. Fifteen is way too young to accept a permanent label as a slow kid. Speed may be the measurable that is most susceptible to significant short-term improvement. Slow kids are generally slow primarily because they don't know how to run and because they don't have the mobility/flexibility to increase the angle between their legs at the mid-flight point in their stride. Both are fixable. (There are also strength issues...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Btw do you want to post a vid of him running? I sent another poster here some pointers on running technique after he sent me a video. You can also DM me if you don't want it public. There are a few flaws that often occur.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Wow thank you - I will DM you, that's really nice of you! It might be embarrassing to him if I post it publicly, though it's on some websites, they don't have me with it calling him out as S L O W.. (though he runs a lot faster than me! LOL) Anyway thanks again!
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
In the acceleration phase you lean forward but you shouldn't land like a lunge and then push forward but bring the foot forward low and then kinda stomp back so your foot almost lands behind your hips. https://www.coachseye.com/v/6c...42738214d21916207a89 Then in the top speed phase after 10-12 steps you want to be more upright but still land the foot directly under the hips with high hips and the knee and hips almost completely straight and very stiff instead of sinking down and then having...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
that is really great information - going to take some study, trial/error, and time for implementation but it seems spot on when I look at videos. A finer point that likely makes a world of difference.. Again THANK YOU so much!
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
in high school I sent my kids to a sports training facility with specified training for base running and running the sixty. My daughter (softball) also did Speed Camp at a ranked NCAA track program.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Where do you live, what are his grades? train as anyone would to develop , don't dwell on that fact that he is slow.... does he have any quickness? can he field at 1B? Hitting and Fielding trump running bases... what is he 15 1/2 ... body will change several times in the next 4 years. Don't count out mid major D1.... look up Chase Chambers, ( Tenn Tech) now in milb..... Also don't rule out a good JUCO... D2 unless he is looking for the academic side is something he can use as a fall back...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
We live in PA His grades could be a whole other thread.. He gets recommended for, then often doesn't get A's in, AP/Honors classes.. So if I had to (wild) guess he'l wind up a 3.5-4.0 WEIGHTED GPA (raw GPA lower) due to taking these AP's/Honors cores. He standardized tests really well (95&98% on verbal/math PSAT - hasn't had SAT yet) But too many video games versus studying.. (again, that's a whole other thread - please spare me the bad parent rap - I already know! 😳) But my view is...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Until he gets really serious about the grades D3 will be an issue.... I would hate to go to a D3 and end up not playing. Most of the D3's that are solid will want an ED and some pretty high test scores. ACT for instances 33 and above. I guess he needs to decide what he wants from a baseball perspective and an academic perspective. And where he wants to live, how far from home etc.... D2 has very limited dollars, so you and he are likely footing the majority of the bill. Juco, could be free...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Well like I said has only taken PSAT and scored in 95th & 98th percentile for verbal & math respectively.. From that I could project from a test score perspective he could be in decent shape there. At the risk of opening up a whole other can of worms (as in, start another thread) I'm NOT a college snob. I own my own business & am impressed with candidates for what they bring to us first.. If a candidate was #1 in their class & functionally illiterate I wouldn't hire them -...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Since you live in PA there are plenty of non HA D3 programs. https://d3baseball.com/teams/region/mid-Atlantic The PSAC has several good baseball programs. Even without a lot of D2 scholarship money in state is inexpensive.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Grades are important for many D3 schools, but just for context, there are around 300 D3 schools (with baseball programs) that have an average composite ACT under 33. And this doesn't include those that don't publish an average score. A very small percentage are at or above 33.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
This is very true. The Centennial Conference is a good example. There are schools with admit rates close to 10%, schools with admit rates more like 40-50%, and one with an 80% admit rate and a lower average cost after aid than the top schools. There are a lot of good choices out there. You just have to find the right match. BTW I had several HS friends who attended Washington College, which is in the middle group, and they absolutely loved it and went on to have successful careers.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Sounds like you have a 3.5, 1450 SAT type student who takes AP classes. That is a very good academic profile. Seriously you can shave that half second off the 60 easy. Trust me on this. Just more maturity and some working on form will get him there. Combine that with a very good fielding 1B who hits for average and power and you have an overall very good profile. My suggestion is start focusing on what majors he wants, zero in the top 20-25 school fits. Next summer he can be a 7.3 60 with...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
The purpose of going to the best college possible is to have the most possible doors opened when entering the working world. But ultimately you have to prove yourself. Yes, there are other side benefits that may not ultimately matter.** But don’t you think a motivated, highly intelligent, high IQ person who attended an Ivy would ultimately get to the same place professionally if he attended Wossamottah U. ** A friend of mine, a farm boy from Nebraska went to Harvard for football and he was...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Great story! Happiness & success are obviously defined for everyone differently.. While I appreciate & applaud your friend's accomplishment & success, to me personally, I'm not sure pursuing wealth beyond the things one wants to do in life proves - in the end - worth sacrificing the more precious commodity of time required sometimes to do it.. That's a very deeply individual life choice. To the idea of a "Wellesley girl from a generationally wealthy Brahmin Boston family" I'd...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Some people from dynasties don't accept newly rich people even if they are richer than themselves. In Germany there even is a word for newly rich people (like for everything ) from lower classes. The aristocrats used to look down on selfmade rich people because they thought they were rude bragging people with no sense for class and understatement. Now there are really people like that, the costly skiing resort st. Moritz in Switzerland for example is famous for young russian millionaires who...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
The US has its own generational aristocracy mostly going back to the Industrial Age. But from my anti snobbery view the current generations are not as relevant in today’s age as they believe themselves to be. It’s fairly common for the family tree to wipe out the wealth in three or four generations. 80% of wealthy Americans have earned their wealth and are considered Nouveau Riche. I have more respect for those who have earned wealth or generated more wealth rather than living off it and...
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Genius post
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Take a look at rosters and what those players did in HS.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
Interesting article on sprint training https://www.stack.com/a/how-a-...ged-indiana-football
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
6’1” 220 pound kid from my son’s travel program with a big lefty bat and slow feet just committed to a D1 a few days ago.
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Re: big hitting, SLOW running, sophomore 1B - what Division colleges to target for now?
To 3AND2FASTBALL, Thanks for the encouragement. I'm just glad that my 2024 big still has a couple more years to lean out and speed up some. I'm also liking that Pete Alonso has helped to make big & slow more fashionable in 2019! baseball-reference.com has him listed at 245 lbs. That said, Pete's PG profile indicates that the polar bear was running a 7.1 sec. 60 yd dash the fall term of his HS grad year … not at all slow for corner IF.