2019 prospect getting anxious without solid offers yet

The number of kids that get "recruited" relative to the entire population of kids playing ball is small. 

I would be spending my time targeting schools where your son is an academic, social and financial fit where he might be able to play baseball. Start spending your time learning about schools where your son will get a good education, grow as a person and if all works out can play baseball.

Until you get out and about, introduce your son to what opportunities exists (I would strongly suggest beyond your backyard and the big D-1 schools).

Start the process of your son "recruiting" a school. Learn what schools make sense for your son. Go to them, call the coach/recruiting director, learn about the program. It is far easier for them to "recruit" a kid that has an interest in their school and has taken it upon himself to introduce himself. 

If you wait for them to come to you; you risk not finding an opportunity. If you go out and make something happen, you have a far greater opportunity finding a program that will serve your son and family well.

I may be reading this wrong, but it doesn't sound like your son has been very pro active in reaching out to schools, emailing coaches, sending out videos, basically marketing himself to schools.  Those numbers sound really good, but if you are not getting that information to targeted coaches, then it doesn't matter.  I would suggest that you both sit down and come up with a list of 30-50 schools of all levels that are a good fit baseball wise and academically as well and reach out to those coaches and send info to them.  Try not to get caught up with how many 2019 kids are already committed.  You still have time but need to be active in the search.  I would also look to expand your geographic search as much as possible and what works within your budget and other college considerations.  There is a ton of great info on here to read and review.    Good Luck! 

JohnnyBaseballog,

Thanks for posting.  So, I think your son's sights and your expectations maybe a little high based on your post.  Most top 30 D1 programs have speedier centerfielders (sub 6.5) , so it may be that they did not look at him in that context.   Your son may be a better fit somewhere other than a top 30 D1 program.   Where, I don't know.  But I think you and your son need to target some more appropriate schools as ILVBB suggests.  I would not "chill out", I would get on this immediately.   You get one shot to be a recruited college baseball player out of high school.   I would not wait but rather develop a plan that fits athletics, academic and financial requirements.   It is a lot of hard work.

One sentence that did catch my eye was your son's 1210 SAT.   This has the possibility to catch many higher academic schools coaches eyes, but you have to bring this to their attention.  They may be looking for someone like your son.   If your son can improve that SAT score on his second try, then he may be able to get even more attention among some elite high academic schools.  Again, this is something you have to want, develop a strategy for and then execute the plan.

Good luck and let us know if we can help!

I will take a bit of a different approach and talk about what it takes to be a CF at a top 30 program.  If that is your son’s current and realistic 60 time that unfortunately will not make the footspeed grade at that level from what I have seen.  

All 3 OFs at son’s school are pretty solidly sub 7.0 and All American CF is sub 6.5.   Son’s best friend played a lot of CF for UT last year. He is 6.4-6.5 guy. Their entire OF at UT is projected to be 6.5ish guys. 

Your son’s other metrics would all get him into the conversation as an OF at those top 30 schools so don’t despair too much. Son played on summer team which ended up with 11 D1 guys from top 40 programs to mid tier programs. Only 4 committed before summer after junior year. All of those were pitchers.  Rest late summer including the UT kid.  You still have plenty of time.  

Good luck!!

Really appreciate all the feedback I've received. Should have mentioned we have done the NCSA recruiting site, my son's contacted a ton of coaches, even has some of their personal phone numbers. What I'm gathering from all of you so far is that yes we do need to act and narrow down a realistic list, and that unless the 60 time goes sub-7.00, the top schools won't be looking at him as a CF, right?

Again, this has been so helpful so thanks for all of your time, and would love to hear more!

Do some research on the Patriot league and see if there would be interest from your son, from what you posted they may be a very nice fit.

The two-way notion (CF/P) is extremely unlikely with top 30 programs, even if he has all the desirable qualifications for each.  Top 30 programs are able to attract plenty of those types of 2-ways but almost always, they ultimately choose one or the other best direction for the player based on how they see him best helping the program.

If he really feels strongly about being a 2-way, he should aim at lower levels who would be more welcoming of a drop-down that wants to do both.

cabbagedad posted:

The two-way notion (CF/P) is extremely unlikely with top 30 programs, even if he has all the desirable qualifications for each.  Top 30 programs are able to attract plenty of those types of 2-ways but almost always, they ultimately choose one or the other best direction for the player based on how they see him best helping the program.

If he really feels strongly about being a 2-way, he should aim at lower levels who would be more welcoming of a drop-down that wants to do both.

Yes forgot to address this. Agree with Cabbagedad.  Two ways at that level are pretty rare. Son’s school will have one this year and had one recently that was very successful. Interesting that they were both juco transfers and had shown they could two way at strong juco programs. 

Son entered as a freshman with one who even made a few starts in the field last year as well as being our Friday night guy. He gave up hitting halfway through season. Told me it was just too hard to be good at both and work was impacting his pitching and recovery too much. 

Agree with getting in front of Patriot League. If I was in your area I'd also try to get in front of Atlantic 10 coaches.  Some really good schools in that conference.  Good luck!

At the risk of thread drift -- aren't there more 2-way guys of late?  Just looking at D1 preseason AA team and there are 3  guys that I know of on that list who played a position and pitched last year, 2 of the 3 pitched a lot.

Great feedback for you thus far.  SAT score and footspeed:

You said your son had a 1210 SAT on his first try?  That's equivalent to a 26-27 on the ACT, decent start, don't give up, I'd suggest getting a tutor to help yield more points.  Reference:  Duke requires a 26 ACT so he's fine for top D1's, but extra points will help, especially, if he reroutes toward the Patriot or Ivy Leagues.   You never know. 

Concur with the footspeed, get in a speed program and get that down.  Even at Ivy D1's, their OFs are 6.7ish if not faster.  

Can he play corner IF?

Putting together a camp showcase plan for the summer is a must right now, because you'll have to coordinate around his summer club schedule, and a lot of the camps and showcases can sell out, so you need to know the schedule.

Good timing coming to the board.

7+ 60 time and an 87 mph RHP would fit will at my son's mid-major.  Most of the guys are closer to 90 by the time they get to college, but he seems to be on his way to that.  As others have said...not a lot of 2 ways guys, and unfortunately at this point, your son's numbers likely aren't Top 30 at either position....but again, should be enough to get him some D1 noticed.  Keep putting him in front of as many coaches as you can by email/video now (college season has started)....and get him to some good events where coaches will see him this summer

Agree with all of the above. If I were in your shoes I would pursue A10, Patriot League and Colonial Athletic Conference schools.   I would also develop a plan for high academic D3 schools.  Look into a company called Play to Win if you decide to focus on D3 academic schools. Try to get an invite to Area Code tryouts in your area. This will require the endorsement of a MLB scout so figure out how to make that connection. Above all you need someone with credibility in the baseball world to endorse your son. It can be a scout, a coach, or an instructor. Your job is too figure out who that is based on your own personal baseball network.

adbono posted:

Agree with all of the above. If I were in your shoes I would pursue A10, Patriot League and Colonial Athletic Conference schools.   I would also develop a plan for high academic D3 schools.  Look into a company called Play to Win if you decide to focus on D3 academic schools. Try to get an invite to Area Code tryouts in your area. This will require the endorsement of a MLB scout so figure out how to make that connection. Above all you need someone with credibility in the baseball world to endorse your son. It can be a scout, a coach, or an instructor. Your job is too figure out who that is based on your own personal baseball network.

First time I've heard of "Play to Win"...

Gov posted:

adbono posted:

Agree with all of the above. If I were in your shoes I would pursue A10, Patriot League and Colonial Athletic Conference schools.   I would also develop a plan for high academic D3 schools.  Look into a company called Play to Win if you decide to focus on D3 academic schools. Try to get an invite to Area Code tryouts in your area. This will require the endorsement of a MLB scout so figure out how to make that connection. Above all you need someone with credibility in the baseball world to endorse your son. It can be a scout, a coach, or an instructor. Your job is too figure out who that is based on your own personal baseball network.

First time I've heard of "Play to Win"...

Me too....just checked it out....no fee listing....which tells me it's going to be pricey.  There's nothing that any recruiting/scouting service can do for you that you can't do for ALOT less money and get just as much or better results. 

JohnnyBaseballOG posted:

Really appreciate all the feedback I've received. Should have mentioned we have done the NCSA recruiting site, my son's contacted a ton of coaches, even has some of their personal phone numbers. What I'm gathering from all of you so far is that yes we do need to act and narrow down a realistic list, and that unless the 60 time goes sub-7.00, the top schools won't be looking at him as a CF, right?

Again, this has been so helpful so thanks for all of your time, and would love to hear more!

Your son needs to get way below a 6.9 sixty to play centerfield at a D1. The top thirty program boat has probably sailed. Except for coming up with an open roster spot due to the draft (recruit signing rather than going to college) there probably won’t be any spots. He also needs to decide if he’s an outfielder or a pitcher. Few players do both in college. It’s a lot of work. 

87 is an adequate velocity for a mid major. 6.8 could probably put him in a corner outfield position. Don’t rule out top D2’s and D3’s. The objective is to get into an opportunity to get on the field and have a positive college baseball experience. 

Your son isnt late to focus on mid major to D3. But it’s time to figure out the game plan for the summer to get in front of the right schools. 

Buckeye 2015 posted:

Gov posted:

adbono posted:

Agree with all of the above. If I were in your shoes I would pursue A10, Patriot League and Colonial Athletic Conference schools.   I would also develop a plan for high academic D3 schools.  Look into a company called Play to Win if you decide to focus on D3 academic schools. Try to get an invite to Area Code tryouts in your area. This will require the endorsement of a MLB scout so figure out how to make that connection. Above all you need someone with credibility in the baseball world to endorse your son. It can be a scout, a coach, or an instructor. Your job is too figure out who that is based on your own personal baseball network.

First time I've heard of "Play to Win"...

Me too....just checked it out....no fee listing....which tells me it's going to be pricey.  There's nothing that any recruiting/scouting service can do for you that you can't do for ALOT less money and get just as much or better results. 

I would normally agree with that statement, but in this case I don’t. Play to Win is a little pricey, but they can do things that you can’t. Or maybe I should say, they are more effective with the things they do than you will be. I have seen the results myself.  If high academic D3 is your target, and spending a few grand is not a problem, they are a good bet to get you where you want to go.  Assuming you can play, and have the requisite academic track record. 

If a kid with the OP's measurables and grades attends a Headfirst Camp and plays really well, he'll have a whole bunch of D3 opportunities, for less money, especially if he can up those test scores a bit.

... tho it doesn't sound like this family is ready to look at D3 quite yet.

What are your son's career goals? (Recognizing it will change. )

What is your financial ability to pay for college? (How are you looking to leverage baseball?)

What type of college setting (e.g., urban, rural, big, little, warm cool, etc.) suits him?

Can he hit?

Good advice so far. Reality check - he is not going to two way at a top 30 program and as others have pointed out he should expand the net he is casting. That said don't give up on the two/way if he wants as you never know.  This was was 6 years ago but my son had similar stats to yours except his academics were higher and he ended up a national champ D3 and did actually play two way his freshmen year, went hitter only in Soph, and the start of Jr yr, got injured and switched to pitching the balance of his Jr and Sr year. So it can be done if the coaches are supportive and he is prepared to do twice the work.... He could be corner OF/DH/Pitcher maybe but it also gives him recruiting flexibility. BTW he would never make CF at my son's D3 also, they were all 6.5 guys. 

He has time and he should focus on next summer where the real action will be, get the scores up and broaden the search and he should be fine.

Good Luck!