Added Clarification

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
But I still feel PG, and some of the other showcases are not required as long as you play meaningful summer baseball in places that get good exposure for your players.

Maybe? Maybe not? Wanna take that chance?

Our son was first noticed on a national scale playing on a good tournament team in a good tournament. Wanna know who was running the tournament? Yep, PG.

When our son was headed into his Junior year in HS, I asked a former D1 player from a top-20 school...what do I do? I also asked a former pitching coach from that same top-20 schoool...what do I do? Both gave me a list of 3 SHOWCASES he should attend. Hmmm. Wonder why? Because they said THATS how THEIR school (now my SON'S school) recruits.

You're putting too much stock in the early letters you're getting. It might work out just fine for you...but I ask again, wanna take that chance? Its up to you. Don't fall asleep at the wheel.

My son played on a good summer team between Jr and Sr. year, that had 2 outfielders now in pro ball, and found time to get to Teamone South in Atlanta where his current college coaches spotted him. He got back from that showcase and heard from 6 or 8 new schools in the next week or two, including the one he signed with. That is probably typical.

A summer team is just part of the recruiting puzzle that includes a good showcase or two, Especially for pitchers.

I think the experience you describe, Dad04, is very typical. A couple of carefully selected showcases woven into a quality travel team schedule make a lot of sense. What is unnecessary is the "showcase circuit" that some seem compelled to follow.

Prepster,

Atypical is the experience of sons summer teammate after senior year. The teammate was a 2005, an aflac player who basicly left to showcase most of the summer, coast to coast. It was not really a big deal teamwise for the coaches who just shrugged their shoulders, but it just seemed to be excessive. I can only guess the motivation was professional exposure, which automaticaly came with the scout team he was on anyway. He ended up committing to Alabama after the draft this summer, in which he was not picked.

Not to argue, but just so there is another side to the debate. There will always be examples of every scenario.

Here are a few Aflac All Americans from that year who could be labeled examples of players going to a large number of showcase type events. Often the very best players make themselves the most visible players. The 2003 Aflac All Americans would be an even larger list of players who showcased as much as possible.

Afterall, if someone has talent, there really isn’t any reason to hide! In fact, “hiding” creates doubt at times.

Justin Upton - 1st round Arizona – Played in a very large number of PG Showcases and tournaments. East Coast Pro.

Cameron Maybin - 1st round Detroit – Attended PG National, played on top summer team, attended other PG Showcases and tournaments.

Andrew McCutchen - 1st round Pittsburgh – Attended PG National, played on top summer team, attended a large number of PG Showcases and tournaments.

Chris Volstad - 1st round Florida – Attended PG National and several other PG Showcases and tournaments. East Coast Pro.

CJ Henry - 1st round NY Yankees – Attended several PG events, played on top summer team. East Coast Pro

John Drennen - 1st round Cleveland – Attended PG National and several other PG events.

Ryan Tucker - 1st round Florida – Attended PG events and participated in other events.

Beau Jones - 1st round Atlanta – Attended PG National and other PG events. Played on top summer team.

Jeff Lyman - 2nd round Atlanta – Attended PG National and many other PG Showcases and tournaments, played on top summer team.

Jonathan Egan - 2nd round Boston – Attended PG National, played on top summer program, attended other PG Showcases and tournaments.

PJ Phillips - 2nd round LA Angels – Attended PG National, played on top summer team, attended other PG events.

Ralphie Henriquez - 2nd round Houston – Attended PG National, many other PG Showcases and tournaments.

Sean O’Sullivan - 3rd round LA Angels – Attended PG, Area Codes and other events.

Jeremy Hellickson - 4th round Tampa Bay – Attended a very large number of PG Showcases and tournaments..

Shane Funk - 4th round Texas – Attended PG National and several other PG Showcases and tournaments..

Ryan Delaughter - 5th round Washington – Attended PG National and a large number of PG Showcases and tournaments.

Austin Jackson - 8th round NY Yankees, signed for 1st/2nd round money, Attended PG National and other PG Showcases and tournaments. Played on top summer team.

At some point these players created serious interest. Then they reassured everyone, many times, that they deserved that interest.

Scott Kazmir, Chris Lubanski, Lastings Milledge, David Wright and many others could be called over exposure guys. Yes, they had outstanding ability, but the reason we liked them so much was because they always had a burning desire to be with and compete against the very best. Big game or Big Showcase... They and many others were going to be there!

PG I certainly have nothing against showcasing. It is very effective, especially for pitchers. I am not sure why Jr's teammate who was an AFLAC All-American was not drafted. I guess due to business reasons and not baseball reasons. He was atypical for AFLAC players, as well. I can certainly see the case for additional exposure in the case of the top 100 to 200 player.

Dad04

here is an example of what exposure means--- we added a player to our Jupiter roster somewhere around 10:30 PM last night-- within minutes I had an email from a pro scout whom I know asking how we got him and he will be sure to see him play in Jupiter this weekend. He didnt think the boy was going to attend--actually he wasnt until we locked him in last night at about 9:45 after a myriad of phone calls

Now I know I am not the only one that this happens to so it goes to show what and how exposure works

quote:

Originally posted by Prepster:
I think the experience you describe, Dad04, is very typical. A couple of carefully selected showcases woven into a quality travel team schedule make a lot of sense. What is unnecessary is the "showcase circuit" that some seem compelled to follow.

Agree with Prepster and Dad04,

The showcases my son attended were definitely worthwhile. Did a few in his soph year - a few more in his junior year and a couple just for the fun of it in his senior year.

They were all great experiences and definitely helped in getting noticed. As for his summer team the last two years before graduation - the only college scouts that attended were from local areas - unless he was on a road trip with the summer team.

To each his own I guess.

TR
I agree. I guess if I could pick only 1 east coast event to play in it would be WWBA in Jupiter (without hurricanes ) for the total amount of excellent competition and the exposure factor. If you are a standout player you will definately know where you stand after playing there. Hopefully its blue skies and light breezes next week.

Its

I agree everyones situation is a little different. Roy Oswalt's dad started his high school baseball team so he would have one. He went to the JUCO in the next county for a year till the Astros drafted his scrawny frame 9 years ago. Now he's an overnight sensation.

Dad04,

I knew you didn't have anything against showcasing. I just thought I would add a different perspective to the discussion.

I am not interested in claiming there is only one way. There's always examples of the opposite way.

PG

I appreciate the perspective. I get it though. Playing with and against the best possible is what its all about. Good luck over the next week or two.