My son is a senior who was only around 80-81 in the spring. Today he was clocked at 86. 4.0 student with 30 ACT. He’s really only been in contact with D3 schools but with new found velocity with 90mph feeling achievable, we are trying to figure out what to do next. He’s in the weight room hard and just started with a good instructor for first time.
Anybody have any tips going forward this late in the game?? He would LOVE to land at a D1 in state but is open to everything.
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Trying to walk on as a pitcher at a D1 is risky unless he’s built like a pitcher 6’2” 190 or bigger and consistently hitting 90. The alternative is go JuCo become a D1 pitcher and transfer soph year.
In the big picture find a situation that is a quality experience for an education, baseball and socially regardless of level.
He is actually right at 6’2” 192lbs.
Hopefully we can figure it out quick.
What is your main objective, baseball, or academics?
Where was his velo clocked, and who clocked him?
At this point it is very late in the game. 86 mph is nice, but most coaches will want to get their eyes on him in a game, or at least see footage of him throwing in a tunnel. Having no record of him throwing at that velo in any tournaments will be a drawback, but they are always looking for arms.
In my experience, a lot of P's touch 85-6, but "sit" at 80-2. 90mph sounds like just a little bit more, but is really a whole different world.
Don't mean to be negative. Figure out where your son wants to go to school, and get in touch with them ASAP. Realistically, a D1 is a stretch, unless there is more to the story that I am unaware of. D2's, D3's, NAIA's, JUCO's might all be possible. Around here, there are some excellent HA D3's that would probably admit your son with that velo, and those marks.
His main objective is to play baseball at the highest level possible with D1 being the goal. We both understand 90 is a different thing but definitely believe it’s possible.
He was consistent 85-87 today on flat ground with tennis shoes, in a cage with no real game adrenaline.
His instructor clocked it on Rapsodo and pocket radar.
We will be putting it on video when he gets on the mound.
He would still be thrilled to play for a strong HA D3, but doesn’t want to give up on the D1 dream now that he’s starting to realize his potential more. Thanks for the input.
Be careful not to just get to D1. Marginal D1 players get replaced by the next recruiting class every year. Half of D1 players transfer within two years. The goal isn’t just to get to D1. The goal is to stick and have a positive baseball, education and college experience.
Shouldn’t the main objective be getting a good education and setting himself up for the start of the next forty years?
A friend’s son entered college at a HA D3 at 6’3” 180 cruising 84. He left after pitching them into the D3 World Series hitting 94 and was drafted.,
That's pretty exciting. I don't necessarily have answers but I will throw out some more questions and observations that may help lead you in a good direction.
You say playing baseball at the highest level possible is his main objective. I can't imagine a young man with a 4.0 GPA that doesn't or shouldn't hold the academic aspect in high regard as well, even if he isn't sure of his major yet. Can you elaborate on that aspect? It plays heavily into choosing direction. Do keep in mind the 40 vs 4 factor.
How strong is the HS league he plays in? Being this late in the recruiting game, playing in a competitive HS league may be the only option for him to show his newly found velo and how he commands it. This, of course, isn't ideal but might be an option if he can get to where he needs to be.
What are the in-state D1 options he wants to attend? If they are P5's, it is much more of a longshot than if there are mid-major or lower level D1's he would be happy with. A strong D1 program will likely require that they see him pitch effectively with velo against good competition and will also be more likely to have already allocated their athletic scholly $. Then, if he is OK with non-P5 programs, you have to go back and take a closer look at whether it's really worth while to shoot for lower level D1's vs other options just for the D1 label. You/he may very well find that it is not.
If high D1 continues to be the target, Juco may prove to be the best route. But again, that is typically not the path taken by 4.0 students. Juco is a good avenue for many but comes with it's own set of unique challenges that should be strongly considered.
Academics and his future career are most definitely important to him. He has worked hard on grades and ACT towards that end. I just said that HIS first priority is to play ball at the highest level possible. Of course he wants to do that in the strongest academic setting possible. But he’s pursuing his dream and I won’t discourage him from that.
He is homeschooled. Dual enrolled at a small non athletic college in town. He will have around 20 credit hours earned by graduation. Needless to say his high school league is not very strong.
His dream school is definitely a P5, we are in Baton Rouge... but he knows that’s not exactly realistic. There are a couple small D1s in state he would be thrilled to attend. All of them have a path to either of the two degrees he wants to pursue.
Again, he’s not D1 or bust. But he would love the opportunity to play against the P5s if he can’t play for them...
"that HIS first priority is to play ball at the highest level possible. Of course he wants to do that in the strongest academic setting possible. But he’s pursuing his dream and I won’t discourage him from that."
Why is his first priority to play baseball at the highest level possible? And, what does that really mean? Is it measured by team performance; is it measured by his contribution? There is a huge difference. Is suiting up one year and being released before the next considered playing? You're from BR, you know what LSU fields every year - is he even close to any of the LSU pitchers who see the field?
Strongest academic setting possible? What does that mean? All due respect to LSU, but do you consider LSU (as a baseball player) to fit your criteria? If so, that's pretty weak tea.
He's pursuing his dream and you wont discourage him? Well, adults are supposed to bring wisdom and context to kid's dreams. First, regardless to league and division, if he's a late bloomer who suddenly displays pro potential, his college is irrelevant - he will be discovered. Second, for kids who aren't pro prospects, baseball is a tool used (just like great grades and scores) to leverage upwards into a college he otherwise couldn't reach. (And, I'll add that homeschooled kids have a more difficult time in the admissions area and baseball could really assist.)
You and he have every right to be proud of the velo jump; he moved from a fringe D3 prospect to a real D3 prospect. He moved from a kid hoping to see the mound to one who coaches expect to be on the mound.
Again, what are his baseball goals - besides wearing a uniform for a year? No P5 will take a pitcher, have that pitcher not really contribute, and keep that pitcher the following year. Those teams are always looking to upgrade all positions and WILL upgrade from a minimally contributing player.
With a 4.0 30 ACT kid, are you comfortable placing him in a situation which doesn't maximize his academic potential, which has a high probability of being one year which in turn means he needs to transfer or drop baseball?
There are lots of schools which put him on a path to maximize all his potential - athletically and intellectually. I'd aim for that subset.
Plenty of HA D3s that would likely take your son with those numbers. My 2020 RHP son had teammates that were below that and are verbally committed to a few.
It sounds to me like your son has no offers, D1 or D3. Considering it's November, that seems very troubling to me. Don't know if that's because he's a late bloomer, lacked exposure, bad mechanics, or a dislike of homeschooling, or some combination.
You have less than 8 weeks to get your applications in. To be blunt, you will not get any D1 offers between now and Jan 1. If you reach out to coaches, and let them know of his late growth, then he may be encouraged to walk on. Then you have a decision to make.
You can consider a PG year, but again the clock is ticking. Finally, you can go as a free agent and hope to get a crazy late D1 offer next summer, but I wouldn't recommend that, based on your son's academic strengths.
BTW, I know of a kid who tried to walk on D1, it didn't work out, then transferred to a HA D3 his sophomore year and is playing in the NESCAC...not bad. Point being this year is not make or break. Especially if you go the JUCO route.
I would reach out to some non service academy Patriot league schools with video. They fit his velo and his academic profile. Most of the early application deadlines have passed, I believe Lehigh has ED2, but applying early is important as even a 30 ACT will be fringe for most of those schools.
Not to discourage but 85-87 indoors doesn't mean much. You can top 88 but you still might sit 83-84 when you're 65 pitches in which is why going to watch these kids is so important. All the late bloomers I know who received D1 offers were either 6'4+ or 90 already. Not that it can't be done but 86 wasn't a crazy number over the summer, that is not anything crazy now. Not sure why is flat ground is being clocked but if he is 90+ in the high school season and fills out more, he might get more draft looks than D1 looks.
Baseball wise the OP's son sounds like a classic JUCO candidate
Academics wise the OP's son doesn't sound like JUCO would necessarily be the right fit.
Have you considered a Gap year/post grad year?
Did you read this thread?
https://community.hsbaseballwe...-fall-rosters?page=1
D1s are always looking, and some will commit players even in the spring of their senior years. But then, those players are sometimes off the roster by December. If they say "we are out of athletic money, but you are welcome to walk on," that's not a good sign.
How much travel has he played? How competitive? What has been the platform that has gotten the current D3 attention? Has he had the opportunity to pitch against a lineup full of college commits?
He has been home schooled... Forgetting baseball for a minute, what type of college environment will he flourish in? Big/small? Christian/secular? How far away from home will he be comfortable moving?
Lots of questions. Who/what level did he play in the summer/fall? How far does he want to go away from home? That will be a big concern for coaches being homeschooled. What is his ultimate goal in life?
D1 walk-on would not be recommended. Those guys have a hard time sticking. There are a lot of good jucos in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi that do a good job of developing and moving kids on to D1.
I'd agree, the Patriot League schools may be a good option for your son. One of the schools just added a recruit in the last few weeks. That said, I think you need to move fast and get in contact and get in front of them.
Good luck to you and your son!
Sat thru a DH this weekend between a Mid Major conference champion and a “decent” mid major team. Of all the guys on the mound, only 3 were over 90, the rest sat 87-88 and one was sitting 82-84 (a RHP). Not freshmen, these were for the most part returning contributors. So yes, velo will always open doors for you, but there are tons of guys on D1 rosters who will never break 90, so I really don’t think that number is relevant. The pitchability is, however. Does he have good command? Great secondary pitches he can throw for strikes? If the goal is to actually see the mound as a freshman, D1 will be the hardest route, the other levels incrementally easier. The biggest factor is being seen. You have to get in front of coaches now.
FWIW, I know a kid who did not sign with his D1 until the day before the cutoff date in July because he was looking for an unrealistic scholarship amount. He ended up getting what was he could and is playing in a mid major, not in his HS position because he was not able, as a freshman, to win a starting position there...but he ended up on the field as a starter in his new position and was all conference there as a freshman...so just grind and get in front of those coaches! I hear a lot of talk about “your kid sounds like Patriot League material...that is a very, very narrow window to put yourself in. Two of the six schools are service academies, and the other four would only avail you to approximately 40 freshman recruits a year. Not sure if people are looking at where those kids are coming from, but not a ton are from outside the immediate regions of those schools, except maybe Holy Cross, whose 2019 and 2020 classes are showing some National reach, perhaps due to that fantastic new athletic facility they have which is on par with most P5 facilities. You also indicated that if your son did not play P5 he would like to play against P5. In the Patriot League, Holy Cross also typically plays a pretty tough out of conference schedule, playing Top 25 P5 teams at a much higher rate than other Patriot League programs, including the service academies.
3and2Fastball posted:Baseball wise the OP's son sounds like a classic JUCO candidate
Academics wise the OP's son doesn't sound like JUCO would necessarily be the right fit.
Have you considered a Gap year/post grad year?
My thoughts exactly...instead of JUCO why not do a post grad year at a top prep school and not burn a year of eligibility. With those grades and metrics he'd be a hot commodity at Andover/Exeter/Belmont Hill etc.
" His main objective is to play baseball at the highest level possible with D1 being the goal ." You mentioned this a few times and I will focus on one word....PLAY. Huge difference making a D1 team vs PLAYing. If your son would be content on possibly getting very little playing time (and being a great teammate/role player) then I can possibly see where a high D1 might be a goal. A goal is something to strive for, not something to sacrifice other areas to achieve. I would still stress getting the best education possible while using baseball (and best chance to actually PLAY) as something to strive for. Use baseball to decrease the cost of a good education. That diploma will last a longer time than playing baseball.
