Advisors for sophomores?

quote:

Don't some of them charge a fee to help a kid into college or pro ball?

As I understand the business, agent/advisors work exclusively on a contingency basis with the fee based on a percentage of the signing bonus negotiated, with good agents more than worth the fee.

Recruiting services work for a fee upfront to help the player get hooked up with a college program.

jerseydad,
Doesn't add up. Any player that signs for a million dollars would pay his agent/adviser around $50,000.00. I'm sure that agent/adviser is telling you he's supportive of that decision but I wasn't born yesterday. That adviser/agent is thinking of everyway he can to get that kid to sign a pro contract. Secondly, if that million dollar kid is considering passing on the pro money and going to college, do you seriously think he will need an adviser to help him get into college? Every college around will call the day they find out he's back on the market.
Here's a brief thumbnail sketch of the people involved:

1. Recruiting Services are not advisers, they charge a fee to market your son to colleges.

2. Advisers position themselves to advise pre-draft players they think will be drafted high enough to make their pre-draft efforts pay dividends ($$)

3. Agents are the same people as the adviser that has succeeded in getting that pre-draft player to sign a contract.

4. Scouting Services provide a service to high school players that evaluates them and provides that information to almost everyone. They also provide venues for others (college and pro) to make their own evaluations. (Showcases etc)

Fungo,

I am not disagreeing with you. My point was that he was selling the aspect of how he could help him get seen by the colleges he wanted to look at after he heard our priority was college. Pro is not even on our radar at this young age, heck we are just realizing that he may have the talent to play some college ball.

Jerseydad

quote:

My point was that he was selling the aspect of how he could help him get seen by the colleges he wanted to look at after he heard our priority was college.

If a kid is good enough to attract MLB scouts in a year, college coaches by the dozen will be ringing your phone every week till he commits or turns pro, whether that's November of his senior year or August of the college freshman year. He may be selling, but I ain't buying.

How did your son do in Ft Myers? Did your son throw in the last game?

quote:

My point was that he was selling the aspect of how he could help him get seen by the colleges he wanted to look at after he heard our priority was college. Pro is not even on our radar at this young age, heck we are just realizing that he may have the talent to play some college ball

jerseyday,
Like I said at the beginning of this thread this is business. He sees a pro prospect in your son or he wouldn't even be talking to you. He's establising a rapport with you in hopes that if your son is a high draft pick and a MLB club waves a large sum of money in front of you/him, he will get a cut. I have no idea what kind of talent your son has but SOME PLAYERS will be high draft picks and you have to realize it COULD be your son.
I know where you're coming from. Picture this.... The first day of spring baseball practice when my son was a senior. (that's just a little over a year from now for your son) I drove up to our small high school to watch my son's practice. As usual I was early and there were just a few players and the coach. I noticed a congregation of people in the parking lot and thought there was some kind of meeting going on at the school. I asked the coach what kind of meeting was going on and he said "those are scouts". I said "Scouts?". He said they are here to see your son. "Yeah, right". Twelve men walked up to the old wood bleachers and set down and watched the whole practice. Radar guns and stopwatches and cell phones and MLB decals on everything. I looked like, acted like, and felt like an idiot. Proud but an idiot.
Enjoy the ride!
Fungo

Dad04,

He did well against what I would consider a pretty stacked team. I was told he topped out at 89mph but cruised between 85-88. He did pitch in the last game on Thursday night however if you are talking about the Top Prospect game, he was named to the team however couldn't pitch in the game because he threw 4 innings the night before.

Jerseydad

I was referring to the Top prospect game. Cruising in the high 80's and throwing strikes at 15 is obviously excellent. Things will get very interesting for him. Watch his pitch counts as he goes. Coaches will want to show him off till his arm falls off, if you let them. How tall is he?

6'2. 175lbs

Better get the boy sunglasses. His future looks bright.

Your getting some insightful comments from some very experienced members. All I can add is the suggestion that you read Peak Power Baseball. Parts of this book are actually written by some of the above members as well as various people in the college and pro ranks. The book will tie together the various pieces of information you are receiving regarding the recruitment process, not to mention provide some tips on improving performance on the field. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it.

Thanks very much, to those members that contributed to the book.

jerseydad -

I still remember that deer-in-the-headlights feeling! You have been given some great advice within this thread. My 2 cents, based on our experience, is to approach this as you would any other important business or financial decision. DON'T let anyone make you feel you have to make a decision quickly! DO use multiple sources for advice, even after picking an advisor. For college programs, IMO no one other than you & your son can determine the best choice. A good advisor can provide details on coaching staffs and college programs, but so can your son's travel team & HS coaches, and friends with older players (like we have here on HSBBW! ). We selected an advisor during son's junior year. IMO I don't think selecting one earlier would have been a good idea. The closer you get to his senior year the more advisors you'll have to choose from, 'cause trust me the number of contacts will increase dramatically! In fact waiting until early senior year would be OK too. Just wait until you find the advisor that "fits". (Son's advisor was actually very pro college, which was something we liked and was rare to hear.) DO check out the references of any advisor and the company they represent. Find out how long they have been an agent; how long they have been with their company; how many players they currently represent, both amateur and pro; how many years the company has been around. Get references and check them! Talk with the current players they represent to understand the relationship and the support the advisor is providing. All those things are important to know before making your choice. DO have your son talk with the advisor. Yes, I think you need to spare them any sales pitches, but IMO your son should select someone that they feel comfortable talking with. It's not just parents that need advice during this time. An agent your son feels comfortable calling can be a great help to him in handling the pressures of being a pro prospect. Many times advisors are also ex-pro players and their experience can be invaluable to your son.

The most important thing is to use every resource your can to validate any and all information you receive about recruiting, colleges, advisors and the draft ..... then make your own decisions. Also remember to sit back and enjoy the experience! It can be a ton of fun when you don't stress out!

RHP,
It's nice to see you back posting again! Good advice.

thx TPM

RHP ...

quote:

An agent your son feels comfortable calling can be a great help to him in handling the pressures of being a pro prospect.

Great point and want to mention that a trusted advisor-turned-agent is invaluable during times when the player may have some challenges (e.g., injuries prior to draft etc that could impact future), during the transition to pro ball, and during the rough times after turning pro. It seems to help these young guys to have another person in their corners when they are dealing with the reality of competing against the best of the best ... I know our son appreciates the support.

JerseyDad - just out of curiousity, what town are you from in NJ? I'm in Mt. Olive (nw jersey).
best of luck!!