Best Showcase

It really would depend on how talented he is. The best showcase for one kid might be the Perfect Game Nationals. The best showcase for another might be a local one at a D3 school. As far as the time to go that again depends on the player. If your only going to do one showcase then make sure your ready to showcase and your going to be seen by the schools that are a good fit for you both academically and baseball wise.

I do beleive that PG National is by invite or recommendation only.

If the player wants to attend a school outside of his area, I suggest a showcase that has the resources to make that info available. Also be aware of who is running the showcase and who will be evaluating the player.

My son went to his first showcase here in state, not sure if any schools were present,
only scouts. There are many more differnt type of showcases to choose from nowadays. The object was for him to see how he compared to his peers, most players were from FL, GA not necessarily for a college coach to see him play. Everyone has different reasons for attending different types of showcases.



JMO.

It all depends on what you want out of the showcase and what are your expectations. I will presume that you want your son to be recruited. If you send him to a given showcase and that does not happen, will you be satisfied?

My son went to the Stanford camp, not to be recruited per se, but for the experience of playing with some of the best kids from his HS year from all over the country. He went expecting to be coached by some of the most respected college coaches in the country. He went to get better, compete, have fun and if something came out of it, great. But the experience alone made the camp and its cost a terrific experience, which my son to this day will say was the best single baseball experience during his HS years.

I would strongly recommend that you define what you want from the showcase experience. Once you do that, I am sure that you will find lots of good advice.

quote:

Originally posted by ILVBB:
I would strongly recommend that you define what you want from the showcase experience. Once you do that, I am sure that you will find lots of good advice.

I think he should attend a showcase at the highest level possible with the most exposure.

He is a 6-5, 210lb RHP who is still growing, if food intake is any indication.

A former D1 pitching coach has worked with him and describes him as a "genetic freak" with a live arm. A milb Double A pitching coach has worked with him. Says he should get paid to pitch some day. We haven't shared these opinions with our son.

He plays three sports as a sophomore in HS. No travel baseball in the summer, no fall ball.

He's not polished like many kids who play year round. HS baseball seasons are limited because of the weather up north.

My goal for him would be to make the team at a local JUCO so he could commute and save money on tuition for the first couple of years. Even with a generous scholarship from a higher level school, JUCO will be much less expensive.

His goal is to play pro.

Any ideas about which showcase to target?

quote:

My goal for him would be to make the team at a local JUCO so he could commute and save money on tuition for the first couple of years. Even with a generous scholarship from a higher level school, JUCO will be much less expensive.

I think you basically answered your own question.

But then you confuse me when you say: "I think he should attend a showcase at the highest level possible with the most exposure." You have to decide what your goal is. You do control the purse strings. If your budget says JUCO why spend all the money on a showcase when that has nothing to do with the goal?

Call the local JUCOs and get their input. See what they say. If he plays JUCO for two years they provide the necessary exposure to D-1 or Pro.

My suggestion is to get him to the AZ Fall Classic. They have a junior and senior showcase in AZ in Oct every year. My oldest threw in the senior showcase and had 70-80 scouts and colleges watching. he ended up with so many offers it was hard deciding.

My other suggestion unless he gets huge money is go the college route versus pro. If he is good chances are he will come out his junior year of college. College is the best time of their lives. Pro ball is work and a grind. Many of my sons friends who came out after hs versus attending college have had regrets. They would have gone the college route if they had to do over again.

Shamrock-
What was your boy's skill set that drew so much attention at the AZ Classic?

90mph fastball?