Best D1 JUCO programs

Indian Hills in Iowa is one of the top Jucos in the country, as well as arguably the best in the Midwest.   They work the players hard but get great results.   In many ways, Indian Hills can be the ultimate college Baseball experience for those whose #1 priority is Baseball over anything else (including academics and a social life) http://www.indianhillsathletics.com/sports/bsb/index

There are a number of great Juco programs in Texas and I know a lot about them - including knowing a number of the coaches.  Would be happy to share what I know in a PM.  Hit me up if you are interested.

adbono post he normally ed: normally 

There are a  w number of great Juco programs in Texas and I know a lot about them - including knowing a number of the coaches.  Would be happy to share what I know in a PM.  Hit me up if you are interested.

I'll 2nd that. Texas has many very good Juco programs. Ended up with 3 in the final top 20 rankings, but I think at 1 point they had 5 or 6 ranked this year. San Jacinto played for the championship this year, always has a good team. McClennan is another program that is usually loaded, finished being ranked 4th. What part of the country are you in? Also when you say "hard throwing ", Where does he normally sit with his fb?

Texas 2 Sons posted:

adbono post he normally ed: normally 

There are a  w number of great Juco programs in Texas and I know a lot about them - including knowing a number of the coaches.  Would be happy to share what I know in a PM.  Hit me up if you are interested.

I'll 2nd that. Texas has many very good Juco programs. Ended up with 3 in the final top 20 rankings, but I think at 1 point they had 5 or 6 ranked this year. San Jacinto played for the championship this year, always has a good team. McClennan is another program that is usually loaded, finished being ranked 4th. What part of the country are you in? Also when you say "hard throwing ", Where does he normally sit with his fb?

We are in the central Rocky Mountain region. He is upper 80's and has touched 90-91. He is a late bloomer and did not pitch until this past spring. His command needs work which is why he is looking at JUCO's. Thanks.

coachld posted:

My concern is that he really does not know what he is in for and could struggle. So long story short, I am just looking for those who have experience with any top D1 JUCO programs and/or JUCO coaches that would be willing to share their experiences good or bad.

Are you trying to find a top program for your son, or asking what it's like to play at a top program? How far away are you willing to send your son? I'm guessing that Lamar and Trinidad State are the two best programs in CO?

I've talked to quite a few kids/parents from a top D1 JuCo in the Midatlantic. All were surprised how many talented kids were not able to earn playing time. It's extremely competitive at the top, and very view barriers to entry.

Here are a couple of references that might help:

2017 Perfect Game Top 50 Junior College Teams (pre-season):
https://www.perfectgame.org/Ar...w.aspx?article=13473

NJCAA Baseball Teams
http://www.njcaa.org/sports/bsb/teams-page

We are in CA and see many high level jucos play. Based on what you say, if your son came to our local juco, which is one of the best, he would most likely be reshirted so he could have a year to get stronger and the coaches could help him really learn how to pitch.  He'd have to work really hard, but there would certainly be a lot of opportunity.

MidAtlanticDad posted:

coachld posted:

My concern is that he really does not know what he is in for and could struggle. So long story short, I am just looking for those who have experience with any top D1 JUCO programs and/or JUCO coaches that would be willing to share their experiences good or bad.

Are you trying to find a top program for your son, or asking what it's like to play at a top program? How far away are you willing to send your son? I'm guessing that Lamar and Trinidad State are the two best programs in CO?

I've talked to quite a few kids/parents from a top D1 JuCo in the Midatlantic. All were surprised how many talented kids were not able to earn playing time. It's extremely competitive at the top, and very view barriers to entry.

Here are a couple of references that might help:

2017 Perfect Game Top 50 Junior College Teams (pre-season):
https://www.perfectgame.org/Ar...w.aspx?article=13473

NJCAA Baseball Teams
http://www.njcaa.org/sports/bsb/teams-page

He has found 1 top program but right now there is nothing to compare it to so I am interested in what other schools are out there that have a good history of developing and moving players on to good baseball programs. I am also interested in finding out what it is like playing at some of these other top programs. I just spoke with a friend (HS pitching coach) who said the biggest problem is that NJCAA schools have very few rules so some of these programs overwork kids early on, have crappy strength programs, and do not have knowledgeable pitching staff. I am just trying to my best to help my son walk into a program with some idea of what to expect. Thanks for the links as well.

coachld posted:

He has found 1 top program but right now there is nothing to compare it to so I am interested in what other schools are out there that have a good history of developing and moving players on to good baseball programs. I am also interested in finding out what it is like playing at some of these other top programs. I just spoke with a friend (HS pitching coach) who said the biggest problem is that NJCAA schools have very few rules so some of these programs overwork kids early on, have crappy strength programs, and do not have knowledgeable pitching staff. I am just trying to my best to help my son walk into a program with some idea of what to expect. Thanks for the links as well.

 

I think you will find information about players moving on to the next level on most team websites. That's their bread and butter, and they will have a page listing transfers and draft picks.

You'll have to do a little more digging to figure out if they are developing those guys or just recruiting studs. I think the best way to figure that out is an overnight visit, and talking to current or former players. Your son is in a great position to check some schools out during the fall semester. Many JuCo guys aren't figuring that out until the spring. Campus visits during fall practice and/or games would probably give him a good read on different programs.

I think Chipola had ten kids drafted this year. 

You're kid should be a D1 prospect, but I get where you're coming from and, often, the JuCo route is the best route for a kid who actually wants good playing time at a D1 in a year or two. Note that Iowa Western recruits pretty heavily from Colorado. I've been known to point a pitcher or two Scott Crampton's way here in Lamar.

Iowa Western actually has a camp coming up and they get some legitimate prospects from their camp. They also usually carry a pitching rotation that rivals more than half of the staffs at the D1 level.

Speaking from the SoCal perspective, the JuCos here are stacked with lots of D1-level talent.  Many of the players did not have the academic credentials to get into the UC schools and are trying to improve their chances both in school and on the diamond at the JuCo level.  The quality of play is strong so the schools and games do get scouted and watched, and a fair number of kids do wind up at the upper tier programs like Cal State Fullerton.  But I think most of their rosters are local kids.

But getting the opportunity to play should be your son's primary consideration if he hopes to make it to another college program after JuCo.  We know a kid who was an all city kid in a tough SoCal HS league and he only got 4 innings on the mound his first year at the JuCo.  Great program loaded with pitching talent and only so many opportunities to go around.  So do your research on how the coaches work in the pitchers and evaluate the competition to see what his chances are.

All true, 22. Also, some Juco players are there because want to be eligible for the draft earlier.