Curious about showcases

Yes, there are players wasting time and money showcasing. There are others wasting time and money selecting the wrong showcases. A friend I can be very honest with complained at PG they were on obscure fields and coaches weren't coming to watch. I told her to look who was on her son's team. It was a new team. Not all were college baseball material. Those who were play for local D3s. It's not what coaches are looking for at PG.

Her son ended up playing for a D3 thirty minutes from home. They could have saved thousands hitting three local showcases. But a paid recruiting advisor had them start by sending letters to wish schools, Vanderbilt and Stanford. Given this advisor's background it started them on a path of delusion.

Ohio Dad,

I've just finished the process and sent my son off to school playing baseball.  My son attended a PG, Demarini Top 96 and The Complete Showcase (local) events.  All were worth their money.  PG helped validate my realistic perception of my son's skills.  Demarni Top 96 and The Complete Showcase helped showcase his skills in front of "local"  DII/DIII/NAIA schools.  In my experience, there were some but very few kids that appeared not to belong there.  Most were above average to very exceptional baseball players. 

As for the percentages you asked for, I would search (at the top) PG scores.  I know I've seen a thread showing all the PG grades and percentiles.  It's very eye-opening.

I've seen showcases where most players "belong" and others where most do not.  Surely, there is everything in between.  I don't think you can put a percentage on it unless you are just looking at the biggies like PG.  Most of the kids that were at PG when son was there most likely went on to play college ball somewhere.  There were a small handful who looked like they didn't belong but this was likely the event that told them so, therefore perhaps not a waste of money.

I know your son is very young.  The important thing to know at this point is that there are plenty of very good HS players out there and competition for limited college spots is very strong - almost always underestimated by aspiring players and parents.  When the time comes, focus on comparing with the ones who clearly do belong and pay no attention to the ones who don't.  But if your son is not even in HS yet, don't waste your time doing so.  You still don't know where his skill level and desire will land.  Time is better spent focusing on him... enjoying the present place in the journey and helping him with his personal improvement. 

Thanks for the replies so far.  I am not really comparing my son to the older kids I see online, but rather just looking at the swings, sizes, stats, etc.  I will say that my son seems on the right path.  An advanced approach with his swing for his age (according to some pretty good baseball people) with good bat speed, and pop (as compared to his counterparts), and a good combination of athleticism, speed, competitiveness, and willingness to work.  I always tell him he is blessed, and he realizes that.  I just rarely see a swing on those sites that would get me excited if I were a recruiting coach.  RMJ, thanks for the insightful words.  I just don't want to make simple mistakes, in this process, if they can be easily avoided.  It all starts soon.  This site is such a blessing, and has already taught me a ton.  Thanks again. 

Another thing to think about regarding stats at showcase events....most recruiters are aware that in baseball, you fail more than you succeed, especially in hitting, therefore they are looking at swing mechanics  / bat speed as much as anything...they will get their long term stats from their HS season, and club team season....The things you can't cheat are size, speed, arm (velocity - even for position players - they get radar too).  I know of kids that looked early on that they would be big kids, that just grew early, then were very average, to below average once they hit their later HS years, whereas other kids that looked on the small size in middle school, hit their growth spurts later to be some of the bigger kids in their Jr. / Sr. year of HS.

Yes, early growth helps certain kids.  My '18 has never been big for his age, nor small.  Just average, with a 6'1" dad, and a 6'4" grand dad.  Hoping for somewhere in that range when he is done growing.  Conversely, we have a 6'1" monster on his travel team.  A good player.  His dad is about the same size (6'), so I am guessing he may be done growing.  This big boy has always been bigger than most all he plays against, so I will be curious to see if he continues to develop as the other kids start to catch up to him.  As far as stats, we learned last year that it is about hitting the ball hard each and every at bat and having a good approach.  Defense and pitching get better each year, so the stats are not going to stay at those higher levels of the younger years.  A hard hit ball is considered a great at bat, no matter the outcome.