Skip to main content

My middle son is a 2025 who plays C and 3b. Currently 5'11, 160lbs. Wants to get bigger/stronger and has the frame to do so. As far as I can tell, he's equally good at both positions. He has a decent bat and although a natural righty he can hit lefty as well.

Does focusing on one of those positions (C vs 3b) give him a better chance of attracting interest from colleges? Is one of them easier from a recruiting standpoint? 

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Which is his "dominate" eye? Switch hitting catchers make good 3b as long as the player squares to the batted ball. Do not concern yourself about College recruiting at this time.

Learn the game! "Observe, evaluate, study, watch the professionals, attend a College game, study the Coaches, the catchers, the 3b and the hitters.

Is there a "common" tool? STUDY BODY LANGUAGE.

Bob

My opinion: Both positions are recruited for power. It is hard to get recruited as a plus defensive catcher with an average bat. I don't think anyone is recruited as a 3B with an average bat. Clearly arm strength is critical at both positions. Sounds like he may get over 6' (helps a lot); focus on getting stronger and hitting for power.

First thing, be a hitter. You hit, you play. Then work on being as big strong, fast and as athletic as possible. Players get to college and have their positions changed all the time. Recruiting is generally up the middle. Corner players have to mash.

A ranked college team a friend’s son played on recruited four stud catchers over two years. Then they moved the outfielder with a cannon to catcher. The recruited catchers could all hit with power. They played 1B, 3B, RF, LF and DH. Eventually, after graduation of the starting catcher two of them rotated as catcher. One is in his 9th season as a MLB catcher.

My kid is a freshman in College.  My perspective is that is great to be versatile.  Your kid should be trained to play every single position he can.  College coaches will find ways to fit a good bat in the lineup, but will hesitate on putting a huge defensive liability in the field.

That said, being able to play Catcher well will open doors

A teammate of my sons from last year is currently playing in the Marlins Organization.  He was a phenomenal SS, but when he got to the minors, they decided to switch him to catcher.  He has a super strong bat and a cannon for an arm.  They told him the fastest way up to the majors is by him transitioning to catcher.  There are already a lot of great infielders. 

@BaseballJoe posted:
Lots of good information here! On the issue of speed, how fast does a 3bman
need to be?

Under 7 in D1 unless they are such a great hitter that they might get drafted.  In D3 7.3-7.4 is doable but then you better be able to really hit for power, or at a lot of schools you’ll sit behind a converted Shortstop.  The best hitters in D3 hit .400+ with a .600+ SLG

Its important to really have the defensive fundamentals together to play 3B successfully in College, at all levels.  In D3 there are a lot of players whose speed and/or arm strength aren’t sufficient enough for D1, but who have plenty of exit velo, and that ball gets on you quickly at 3B!  

And in the SEC?  You better have elite hand/eye coordination and a 90+ mph arm (preferably 95+) to hang at 3B!  Oh, and also be able to crush the ball (or, again, they’ll find 4 other guys who can do that or put a 6.5 60 Shortstop at Third)

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×