Does the size of the player matter ?

Maybe not equal.....but if they have the skills, they'll get a chance.  My son is just under 6' and 150#.  He wasn't really getting much attention from D1's.....until he threw 85 last month at a showcase.

Skill first always. But yes size matters.Mostly because coaches and scouts are looking a projectabilty. Basically if a 5'11" 180# athletic RHP as a HS junior / senior is throwing 86-88, and 6'3" 170 semi skinny RHP as a HS junior / senior is throwing 84-87 for instance, many times they will take the 6'3" player because they feel with he will grow muscle mass and therefore will increase his MPH.

 

Right or wrong, that is my experience when my 2014 was being recruited

I coached a young man that was 5'9" and could not get any D-I interested in him.  Long story short, This young man was a stud.  He was not a "pitcher" and yet, we were out of pitching for the state championship game so he pitched.  He/we won.  Long story short, he eventually went to a D-I and was a collegiate All American.  He played in MLB for roughly 7 years. 

This topic comes up a lot here and it's always interesting to get real world anecdotes.

 

I agree with chefmike...my 2012 had the same experience.  His D1 dream school wanted RHPs at 6'3" or taller.  Son was 5'11" then...6'1" now and 195 throwing 93-95...but he didn't fit their profile and couldn't get a sniff (actually couldn't get an email or call back but that's a whole other story).

 

2016 is even smaller, 5'7" in heels!  We'll see where this shakes out.

 

Talent ultimately matters, but opportunities sometimes come first to those that look the part in the eyes of the coaches. 

All things equal size gets preferential treatment due to perceived future potential. But many times all things aren't equal and no one has invented the fool proof crystal ball yet. Baseball people would be better able to predict the future if there was a scientific way to measure passion and commitment.

This might sound rather "low, " but do coaches ever point-blank ask how tall (and athletic) parents are? Can they do so "ethically"? For example. Say two sophmores at 5'10" with one's parents being 5'10" and 5'4" vs. the other's being 6'2" and 5'8", I suspect a recruiter/coach would love to have that information.

 Can they do so ethically?

 

Not sure what would be unethical to ask about a parents size.  It can play into the equation.

 

I had the opportunity to talk to Buddy Bell last year.  He is in charge of scouting for the White Sox.  Once comment that stands out was his take on size.  I may be off a little but for the most part his take was "Sorry, but size matters".  While they look at skill first the next thing they look at is size.  If skill is equal they are going to go with a bigger kid over a smaller one.

       
       


I'm 6'3" about 250. My sons pitching coach told me that until my son caught or passed me to make sure I was at any event he might be seen at and make sure I was seen with him. Hahaha

Most replies seem to be about pitchers. How about position players ?

Of course size matters. But that it does doesn’t bother me as much as those who know it does but try to make it seem as though there is always equal opportunity to display skills. That’s the real issue to me. Its one thing to go with size over skill when contemplating handing out a ‘ship or a contract, but that shouldn’t happen at any level below HSV.

As pointed out, "all things roughly equal", size becomes a big advantage... Especially for pitchers, power hitters, corners. A great thing about the great game though is that there are different skill sets needed for different positions/roles. So the fleet-footed, slick fielding MIF or CF has a great shot to compete for high level opportunities... Even though at the pro level SS in particular has seen a trend toward increase in overall height over the past 20 years.  And of course there are lots of examples of effective sub-6' pitchers at the highest levels too... Tim Collins and Pedro Martinez jump to mind. 

 

So obviously no hard and fast rules... talent, heart and lots of factors will always factor in.  But the general rule obviously favors height especially at pitcher, power hitters, corners.

 

It's also interesting how height can often start as a negative for young players. Guys on their way to 6'4"+ often spend years as gawky, uncoordinated, unathletic looking youth players. I've often wondered how many get discouraged and quit... And/or lose confidence early. A lot of physically maturing 12 year olds... and parents of... let the swagger and expectations get way out of control, while those gawky kids get pushed aside... temporarily. Wise parents of all players serve their kids well when they keep in mind that 12yo baseball is a point along the journey... not a destination... and help their players to remember the same.

 Always size matters, just ask my old girlfriend.... Neither one of her boy's could hardly get a 4 year school to look at them, but after proving themselves at the JC level they both were able to finish their careers at a 4 year, and one of them a D1 contender.

Of course size matters - it's the most important thing.  It determines whether you'll run faster this year than last year.  It determines whether you will throw harder this year than last.  It determines whether you will be more disciplined in your approach at the plate.  It determines whether or not you will throw more pitches in the strike zone.  It determines whether or not you will improve your fielding percentage.  It determines whether or not you will beat someone out who is also competing with you for the same position.  The list is almost endless actually.  The more determined and creative you are, the bigger the list.

 

Yes size matters - the size of one's heart. 

I now know how some of the mothers of girls I dated felt when I first met them... That look of disappointment when recruiters size me up (my 5'11" compared to my son's 6'2").

My 2018 son went to a local D3 winter camp.  Son's feet have gotten huge in last year - he's wearing a size 12.  We weren't at camp, but my son said the coach took one look at his feet (probably after he tripped over them) and asked how tall his parent are.....  This was at the very beginning of the camp, no other "skills" yet displayed.  So at least some coaches notice and project, and some aren't afraid of asking the player about his parents height.

Until midgets start breaking into the ranks of the MLB then size does matter.  

At The Stanford All Star Camp, the recruiting coordinator of an Ivy that was recruiting my son at the time kept checking out my wife and I.He knew we were the parents since he watched me film all of my son's at bats.I could sense a he was "sizing" us up (I'm 5'8',wife is 5'2,son is 5'9" in cleats). At the same time he was probably watching our behavior too.

 

I remember a few of the recruiting questionnaires that my son filled out asked for the parents height.Some even asked if the parents played collegiate sports.When  college coaches called the HS coach and 18U coach they did ask about the parents too.

 

I read somewhere, after you look at parent's height look to the mother's brothers. I'd have to agree as my son has outgrown me be 3+ inches and wife by 6. At 16 doctors say he's got an inch or two to go. That would make him tallest on either side of the family. I'm a little skeptical, I think he's done.

For those discussing mother's height: Our pediatrician said the wive's tale a boy will usually grow to be 6-8 inches taller than his mother providing the father is normal height, is usually accurate.

 

Two years ago my son joked either the pediatrician is wrong or he's still growing. He grew an inch after showing no measurable growth for a year. Now he's 6'2" and mom is 5'8".

 

My daughter is 5'10". I've instructed her the ball for her yet to be conceived son goes in his left hand.

 

 

Can the kid play? Because that's what matters. There is nothing you can do about your ht. There are numerous kids playing cb that are not 6 feet. But they can play. I look for kids who can play. Compete. Character. That's what matters.

That's what was important to the coach? What if kid was adopted? I know guy who is 6' 9" and son stopped at 6' 2"-mom was short. kids about a 7 out out 10 in skills, hasn't gotten better in 2 yrs I've known him. Looks like a player though. No offers as of yet.

Size is usu first thing that's noticeable but numbers talk. How fast r they, what is velocity(how many pitches can they throw successfully), how's player defensively? 

some parents use kids size as excuse when in fact it could be talent. 

If you look at some of the top college teams u will usu see a few, even starters who r under 6', but they r talented. 

I think there are coaches that don't care at all about size but I believe there are a number out there that do. I've followed vanderbilt for a long time. They are very 6'+ heavy every year. However that didn't keep them away from Sony Gray. I'm sure standing on a mound at 6'4" 220 can sure get attention but 5'10" rocking 90 sure will too.

I am very close friends with several college coaches. Talk to college coaches constantly about players. I have for years. Can the kid play? Can he help me keep my job? If you think kids get schollys simply because of their size your clueless. If you think they don't because of their size your wrong. Can you play at the level they believe they need you too?

Is 5'6 150 too small to start as a fr at LSU? Is 5'7 145 too small to start as a fresh at UNC? No. They could play. I can't stand excuses. Coaches could careless what your grades are until they see you can play. They don't care how big your feet are. Can you play? Excuses and reasons why you didn't get a fair shake will only make you feel better but they are still BS. Coaches want winners. Can you play? Show it and you will.

Here's my opinion. My son was at a college camp in December. He was just shy of 5'10" at that point, which was 3 months after his 14th birthday. Chances are he will be taller as I am 6'2" and he is a little taller then I was at that age. None of the coaches had seen me, so they could not form an opinion of what his height may be.

Several of the coaches took an interest in him and asked the coordinator for his info. The reason?  Based upon his swing, and the fact that the camp was mostly juniors, they believed that he too was a junior.

So my opinion is that his height at that time was not a negative. They saw some skills they liked and were planning to follow him in the summer. 

So as Coach May and others have stated, it is the skills of the player that will generate interest. At that point it would have been up to my son to show he can play when the coaches see him.

And let me add this before the sparks start flying.

He's 14. He's a freshman in HS and has not played so much as one varsity game . He's proven nothing and there are years ahead of him left to go.

I'm just going to sit back and watch how it all plays out.

I remember a few years ago watching a showcase game down the right field line. There was this kid playing 3b that was all over the field. GB to his left all over it. Slow roller gobbled it up. Foul ball ran it to the fence never gave up on it. Cannon for an arm and accurate. At the plate tremendous quiet approach. Hammered the ball. On the bases a terror. Not blazing fast but great instincts. After that game I knew he could play. He was the shortest player on the field. The least physically imposing player on the field. The only thing he had going for him was he could play.

His Jr year asst coach from an SEC school came to a HS game to see him. Even though every major college in NC had already offered this was his dream school. After watching him play the coach said "the kid can play I really want him." No mention of him being the shortest player on the field.

There are tools that translate to the next level regardless of size. Ability to hit, field, run, arm strength, character. The ability to play at the level they are coaching. Coaches don't keep a job because they field a team that looks like it can play. They keep their job when it can actually play.

Looking like Tarzan might get you a chance to prove your not Jane. Looking like Jane might make it harder to get chances to show your Tarzan. But if you can actually play it will happen. And if you can't it won't.

Great post.  Where the hell you been Kenny?  Just kidding.  You've come back home where you belong

Many moons ago, I recall a "Bird-dog" telling me that he always looked at a boy's mother and her size and a girl's father and his size to determine how big a player was going to grow.  I didn't put any stock in that until this older Hall of Fame Basketball Coach made a similar statement to me.  I buy into this idea but those guys both were around sports for many many years and pretty successful. 

 

BTW, I am 5'9" and my wife is 5'5".  Our daughter is listed at 5'11" and just might be over 6' tall.  She just keeps growing. 

What's new here... Another size discussion.

 

Is size important? Of course it is important. In most cases more size means more strength, more leverage, etc.

 

in fact, size is so important that it comes in about the 10th most important thing.

 

Talent

makeup

tools

feel for the game

toughness

 

If you are 6'5" and lack the above you won't go far.

if you are 5'8" and have all of the above, you are a prospect.

 

The big guy without talent, the small guy with lots of talent.  What idiot would pick the big guy?  We need to give college coaches and MLB scouts more credit than just say they aren't interested in anything other than size.  Somebody had to sign the Joe Mprgans, Kirby Pucketts, Sonny Grays.

 

it's just to easy to use the size card.  Sometimes it is no more than an excuse.  Everyone has to prove how talented they are.  It is true that size can be an advantage for some. It's true that there are more tall pitchers than short pitchers.  So what? Nobody is going to ignore the next great short player. But they will ignore every player (tall and short) that doesn't have the necessary talent. Short players don't have to be better than the tall players, they need to be just as good. Those that are just as good end up in the same place.

 

It's important to get rid of all the excuses.  If they tell you your too small and they only recruit tall players... They're really telling you that you lack the talent they are looking for. Because the Sonny Gray types are wanted by everyone.

PG that sums it up right there.

Look at any college roster, any division,  any conference and you will see many of the players under 6' tall.

Most college rosters are lies about height. Some may be correct but all of the 6'0" and 6'1" kids I know on rosters are under 5'10". My son has played with these kids or against them and I have met many of them. I am 5'10". Have been 5'10" for 35 years. They are not taller than me. 

 

On a side note, I have noticed small head coaches like small players. . Either they can't tell how tall they are or they still believe their old stats when they played and said they were 6'. LOL

Dustin Pedroia....and others like him, the perfect height

for baseball..kids who make the bigs is not because they are 6'3"

or bigger...  its because of the skills... they just happen to be 6'3".

I have seen kids under 6' play the corner of 3rd and out play the big man.

who cnat run down a bunt and make the play at 1st.,

Median 2013 MLB position player was 6'1.5", median pitcher a bit above 6'3".

 

14 (out of 1185) 2013 MLB players were Pedroia's height or shorter.

College coaches and MLB scouts are clearly interested in more than size.  No one is saying otherwise.  And no one is saying the next great small player is being ignored.  In a perfect world, talent is immediately the first and only thing that matters.

 

But I will submit that size is likely the first area where a player gets the benefit of the doubt and the opportunities.  If you are physically imposing, you look like you might be something.  Yes, you have to deliver.  But you will get that benefit of the doubt.

 

I believe that PG rates players based on the players' skills.  A 9.0 is a 9.0 and they come in varying shapes and sizes.  Undoubtedly Coach May and many other fine coaches look beyond size immediately too.

 

But in my experiences at high school and college ball, a bigger player is generally given the benefit of the doubt.  Some colleges target / profile by position towards certain sized players.

 

We can talk about Joe Morgan, Kirby Puckett, Dustin Pedroia, and Sonny Gray.  Outstanding players.  Give me another 100 of those...who are they?  The vast majority of MLB players are much bigger. 

 

Generally, from my limited high school and D1 experience, size equates to opportunity and benefit of the doubt.  Now that player will have to prove themselves...but they are in the door first.

Don't forget reverse discrimination. If you are 6'2" it is difficult as heck to play middle infield in HS and college. If you can hit they will move you to the corner or outfield in a heart beat. Coaches have their bias. They expect tall guys to be on the corners.

From our experince...

 

When son was 5'11 and 145 - no one was interested.

 

When son hit 6'0 and 152 - started to get some looks.  It definelty wasn't the 7 lbs that changed coaches minds!  So I would say there is a 6' barrier for pitchers.

 

When son ws trying out for teams told flat out by a Legion coach: If there is a small kid out there, he better show me why I should need him.  If there was a big kid out there, he needs to show me why I shouldn't keep him....

 

Now that applied to us as a pitcher. Now I will say nearly every pitcher on our college team is well over 6'0 or a proven JUCO transfer.  However we do have (2) 5'6 or smaller players in the field - one is a starter.

 

Just work harder and keep at it.

 

While it is great to make a play like that, in my opinion 3B is a power bat position more so then a defensive position.

 

 

To back up NY Dad..

 

I've seen big 1st baseman (HS) that their first move was alwasy to the base.  THis created a hole between 2nd that was exploited every time.  Once coach figured out we knew, they would move 2n'd to deep hole and try to guard against his weak range of the 1st baseman.  That just opened up the middle.

 

Coaches love that BIG BAT a kid might bring - but usually will lose more runs than the bat will provide.