A Blessing or a Curse

Above HS, stick to the one you love the best and can do the best.

CV

Baseballmom,
For the most part it is a blessing because it does open some doors. The key is to know when to select one over the other. I have thought long and hard about this very subject. I think it depends on the player’s highest level he can achieve at either position. In other words if a player doesn’t have the tools to move on to the next level, then his remaining a two-way player at his current level would not be detrimental to his future. Profound statement huh? My son was a two-way player (Catcher/Pitcher) all through high school and his first two years in college. All along I never felt he was developing to his full potential at either position...but of course I’m his father and most dads feel that way about their sons. His college coach asked him between his sophomore and junior year of college what he wanted to do (pitch, two-way, or position only). The coach gave him the option to choose. He decided to leave the mound and focus on catching. His decision was based on a couple of things. Number one, he felt he could help his team at the plate and behind the plate more than on the mound. Secondly we (he did ask for my advice) felt being a two-way player would hurt his chances in the draft. Our opinion seems to be substantiated in this MLB website article.
I will have to applaud his decision since he ended his regular season by being selected to the first team All-SEC... as a catcher.
Fungo

Fungo,
I had your son in mind when I posted this article.
My son has been asked this very question since last fall. He pitches & plays a mean 3rd, lead his HS team in BA, rbi's, dble, hr's etc, this HS season as a junior. District MVP & All Region awards...
Pitching wound up 9-2-1, 124K's in 74 IP, .828 ERA.
So, he feels like he's reaching a point where he will be forced to decide. He's learning that some recruiters see him one way, others see him another. Very few are open to 2-way players. Scouts seem to ask him the same question. Then just nod when he says he doesn't really know...He just wants to play, will do what is neccessary to contribute.
He's of a mind to let others decide, as that seems to satisfy.... And really, he doesn't want to choose....But, I wonder if remaining neutral is really best.