Exposure -- by time or ability?

My point in bringing up the example in an earlier post was simply to inform people what is happening these days with scouting and recruiting.  

I believe everyone has a legitimate reason for things being good or unnecessary in their individual case.  If there is one thing I have repeated over and over it is this... Every individual is a different situation.  So when I read about someone's son did things a certain way and it worked out well or it didn't work out well, it is what happened in that case, but it doesn't mean it is the path everyone should take.  Whether we look at college recruiting or professional baseball, no two players took the same exact path.  Sure there are similarities,  but it doesn't mean what worked well for you will work well for everyone.

If we look at the numbers I guess we could assume most players fall short of their goals.  However, those numbers don't mean much of anything to some individuals.

Anyway,  every response I have read here makes total sense.  I didn't bring up the example and underclass showcasing in order to influence anyone.  I wanted to explain how many scouting departments are changing the way they do things and why they are doing that.

havanajay posted:

roothog66 posted:

kandkfunk posted:

 

FWIW, our top HS pitcher is a junior. He has gone to zero showcases and hasn't really played much tournament ball since he started high school. Maybe one tournament and nothing PG related. He is lefty sitting about 85 mph. Even with his lack of exposure, he is listed as a top prospect by our regional showcase group and scouts are starting to come to our HS games. He's had little exposure and "they" are still finding him.

You have to be careful with this notion, though, that if you have the talent, "they" will find you. This may be true if you're in a major metro area or near colleges. This is definitely not true for many others. I've mentioned it before, but we had a RHP last year who never attended a showcase or tournament of significance. He spent summers on a local team playing local tournaments. He sat 87-88 touching 90 on several occasions. 96 K's / 8 BB's and a 0.60 era. Fantastic secondary stuff. Not an ounce of interest. he ended up playing for the local J.C., but that was mainly because the J.C.'s HC's son was his teammate, so he saw him plenty. This same coach also told him not to pitch over the summer at all. I wonder why?

Did the JC HC tell him not to pitch the summer prior to his freshman or sophomore college season?  I wasn't sure if that was rhetorical...but why would a JC HC tell a pitcher not to pitch in the summer?  I'm honestly curious...

Yeah, he did tell him not to pitch the summer before he showed up on campus. He was supposed to play on a team that my son was on and they did get decent exposure. My paranoid mind suspects maybe he wouldn't want him to be seen by some D2 NCAA school looking to fill a roster spot with a 90mph type guy. Purely tongue-in-cheek speculation. the coach is actually a good guy and JC's do play a pretty heavy fall schedule, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

roothog66 posted:

havanajay posted:

 

Did the JC HC tell him not to pitch the summer prior to his freshman or sophomore college season?  I wasn't sure if that was rhetorical...but why would a JC HC tell a pitcher not to pitch in the summer?  I'm honestly curious...

Yeah, he did tell him not to pitch the summer before he showed up on campus. He was supposed to play on a team that my son was on and they did get decent exposure. My paranoid mind suspects maybe he wouldn't want him to be seen by some D2 NCAA school looking to fill a roster spot with a 90mph type guy. Purely tongue-in-cheek speculation. the coach is actually a good guy and JC's do play a pretty heavy fall schedule, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Ahh, ok.  I was wondering if his reasoning was one of two things:  whether to not expose him incoming freshman year so HC can have him all to himself....or if he had thrown alot of innings senior year and wanted him fresh for fall ball. 

PGStaff, how many underclassman does your organization see (daily) that really shouldn't be there, vs. the ones that should? 

Or or upperclassmen for that matter. 

I have a question for the group. I know a kid (freshman) who runs a 6.5 / 60, is 89 from outfield and can hit the ball a mile. Obviously, this kid is not your average talent so when would you recommend that he attend his first showcase?

hshuler posted:

I have a question for the group. I know a kid (freshman) who runs a 6.5 / 60, is 89 from outfield and can hit the ball a mile. Obviously, this kid is not your average talent so when would you recommend that he attend his first showcase?

Early June PG event.

I would say he has a few things to "showcase", that's for sure.  A lot better measurables than my son at that age, lol.  Who/how was his 60 and OF velo measured?  There is an old saying when it comes to velo, "dad minus 7".  

bballdad2016 posted:

I would say he has a few things to "showcase", that's for sure.  A lot better measurables than my son at that age, lol.  Who/how was his 60 and OF velo measured?  There is an old saying when it comes to velo, "dad minus 7".  

Dad minus 10 is probably more like it...but if you saw him you'd quickly realize that he's legit.  

Laser timed 60 and gunned at Showcase in December. Already has at least four dual (football and baseball) offers with many more to come. 

By the way, he's a very young freshman too...August b-day so he's a few weeks away from being an eighth grader.  Dad gets it so he's in no rush to sign anywhere until they find the right fit.  

Sounds like he's well on his way if he put those numbers up at a showcase prior to stepping into a high school field (Dec of freshman year, right?). If he were my son I would make sure he was in a high quality summer team with well conected coaches that would get him some exposure.  Mix in a PG or PBR showcase or two this summer. 

joemktg posted:

hshuler posted:

I have a question for the group. I know a kid (freshman) who runs a 6.5 / 60, is 89 from outfield and can hit the ball a mile. Obviously, this kid is not your average talent so when would you recommend that he attend his first showcase?

Early June PG event.

Agree with joemktg IF the kid wants to play elite D1 baseball.   If he doesn't then there is no rush whatsoever.  There will be plenty of time.

Reading this thread is interesting, lots of good points made.   But the biggest thing missing was (in my opinion) the answer to the question the OP asked:  is there a set of measureables that tells you it is time to Showcase?  I think there is, and here is my attempt at listing those:

RHP: mid to Upper 80's
LHP: low to Mid 80's
C/1B/3B: 7.7 sixty time
MI/OF: 7.2 sixty time
Exit Velocity: 85 or higher
Catcher Pop Time: below 2.1
Positional Throwing Velocity: Over 82

Those are low estimates in some ways, and doesn't necessarily show the type of numbers to attract D1 attention, but I think are sufficient numbers to at least get started Showcasing.

3and2Fastball posted:

Reading this thread is interesting, lots of good points made.   But the biggest thing missing was (in my opinion) the answer to the question the OP asked:  is there a set of measureables that tells you it is time to Showcase?  I think there is, and here is my attempt at listing those:

RHP: mid to Upper 80's
LHP: low to Mid 80's
C/1B/3B: 7.7 sixty time
MI/OF: 7.2 sixty time
Exit Velocity: 85 or higher
Catcher Pop Time: below 2.1
Positional Throwing Velocity: Over 82

Those are low estimates in some ways, and doesn't necessarily show the type of numbers to attract D1 attention, but I think are sufficient numbers to at least get started Showcasing.

 

3and2.

Thanks for taking a stab at this. I think identifying the minimum threshold is key and it’s probably a bit subjective.  That said, I think this is a reasonable starting point.

Question:

If you have at least those numbers

and you play for a good travel team that also records this data 

and the travel team has good relationships with colleges (and / or scouts)...

Do you showcase anyway?

Does it supplement the travel team’s data in a positive way? 

PWE - I think so, yes.  At least as a rising Junior... I don't like putting all a kid's eggs in any one basket, so to speak, even with an excellent established travel team director.   I think recording those measureables with a credible scouting service like Perfect Game or PBR helps cast a wider net.

If you play for the best travel team there is you'll see a lot of coaches....but who knows how your kid will do that day?  He may get walked on 4 pitches 3 times....he could play 3 games in the outfield and never get a ball hit to him or if he's a pitcher he could have his defense have 3 errors causing him to throw too many pitches and be done in an inning and a half....or worse.  It happens.  A showcase  is a controlled environment...and the above mentioned things can't have a huge effect on what a coach sees or doesn't see when he's watching you.  You're guaranteed that they'll see you swing...you're guaranteed to get balls hit to you and you're guaranteed to throw.

PlayWithEffort posted:

3and2Fastball posted:

Reading this thread is interesting, lots of good points made.   But the biggest thing missing was (in my opinion) the answer to the question the OP asked:  is there a set of measureables that tells you it is time to Showcase?  I think there is, and here is my attempt at listing those:

RHP: mid to Upper 80's
LHP: low to Mid 80's
C/1B/3B: 7.7 sixty time
MI/OF: 7.2 sixty time
Exit Velocity: 85 or higher
Catcher Pop Time: below 2.1
Positional Throwing Velocity: Over 82

Those are low estimates in some ways, and doesn't necessarily show the type of numbers to attract D1 attention, but I think are sufficient numbers to at least get started Showcasing.

 

3and2.

Thanks for taking a stab at this. I think identifying the minimum threshold is key and it’s probably a bit subjective.  That said, I think this is a reasonable starting point.

Question:

If you have at least those numbers

and you play for a good travel team that also records this data 

and the travel team has good relationships with colleges (and / or scouts)...

Do you showcase anyway?

Does it supplement the travel team’s data in a positive way? 

I think the showcases are big.  We have pretty much done the opposite of what we are supposed to do. My son’s travel team wasn’t a power team.  Never won a tournament last summer and I think my son was seen by one coach during the WWBA (our only out of state tournament and our only game at Lake Pointe).  My son wants to stay with friends so we are back on the same summer team.  We did do some additional showcases in the Fall.  From that, he got invites to Area Code tryouts, Jr. Nationals and Futures.  Those will be his opportunities for recruiting.  If your son is getting enough attention from just tournament play, you might not need showcases but they have been very important for my son and filled in the gaps.  He has been able to get attention from quite a few school just from videos and measurables from PBR and PG.

Thanks for reviving this thread 3and2. Since I'm the OP, I guess I'll update two years later: my son still has not done a showcase. Maybe he should have? In any event, he is signed up for one this summer.* I do think it is easier for pitchers to not showcase -- PBR has velo on his profile (recorded at a couple of his HS games) and PG wrote him up/recorded velo at one of his HS games, too.** As others have noted, it can be more difficult as a hitter, and the showcase at least guarantees that you will get a pitch to hit. So I get that part of it.

*He's also never done an individual college camp. Maybe I've spent too much time reading HSBBW, lol. But he has one of those coming up in a few weeks -- in this case, he was called by the PC and invited for a visit right before the camp starts, so what the heck, he'll give it a shot.

**In both cases, 2 mph under his all-time high, but, heck, that can happen at a showcase, too. Every day is not your best day, right?

Some kids only need to be seen one time. Some kids need to be seen multiple times. Some kids need to buy a fishing pole. Every situation is different. 

I think once the skill is there more exposure is better. Travel team is nice but showcases concentrate talent. Don't forget that the scouts have very limited time and are on the road a lot, they can't watch every single travel team. in the big showcases all the scouts will be there.

2019Dad posted:

Thanks for reviving this thread 3and2. Since I'm the OP, I guess I'll update two years later: my son still has not done a showcase. Maybe he should have? In any event, he is signed up for one this summer.* I do think it is easier for pitchers to not showcase -- PBR has velo on his profile (recorded at a couple of his HS games) and PG wrote him up/recorded velo at one of his HS games, too.** As others have noted, it can be more difficult as a hitter, and the showcase at least guarantees that you will get a pitch to hit. So I get that part of it.

*He's also never done an individual college camp. Maybe I've spent too much time reading HSBBW, lol. But he has one of those coming up in a few weeks -- in this case, he was called by the PC and invited for a visit right before the camp starts, so what the heck, he'll give it a shot.

**In both cases, 2 mph under his all-time high, but, heck, that can happen at a showcase, too. Every day is not your best day, right?

I think things dont really happen for most until senior summer.  Yes a lot of 2019 have committed, but the next wave is on its way.

Camps can be beneficial if it is a PROSPECT camp. Some programs do have them and invite those they are serious about recruiting. Now some of that has changed due to new rules. But I do stand by my opinion that the main purpose is to pay salaries. FWIW, the person  responsible for setting up camps is the volunteer assistant! Thats part of his job!  Now that rules have changed coaches will invite those they can legally speak to at their facilities!

Do what you can to promote your player, within reason. Some of these showcases are ridiculous in price. People aren't aware that coaches are paid to attend  and run some of these very large showcases/combines. And guess who represents the school..yup the volunteer assistant!

FWIW, when it comes to the huge events I know that D1 and D2 programs uses PG for information gathered on that player.   

Something to remember about something you have said. Not everyday is your best day and coaches know and understand it. They don't just look at velocity.  Now if it says that the pitcher throws one thing and something is way off, there is a problem.  They also have scouts out there watching for them.

Going into prime recruiting for 2019s, I think that all good things will happen for your son, be patient, and have FUN!

Thanks TPM. You raise a good point -- there is a showcase camp my son was planning on attending this summer, when I went and looked at the specific coaches who will be there, for the D1s it is mostly volunteer assistants. Very few PCs or RCs. May be OK for 2020s or 2021s if they're just looking to get on the school's radar, but may not be ideal for 2019s.

The college camp is different. The PC called my son and they spoke for ~30 minutes (and the PC also called his HS coach and spoke with him). Because of an untimely, early playoff exit, the game they were planning to come to watch him pitch didn't happen. They invited him for a visit, so he'll meet with the coaches and tour the place the day before, and then he's going to do the camp the next day and we'll see what happens. It's a little bit of a gamble, just in terms of cost and time, but he's not going in blind or as an unknown to the coaches. 

2019Dad posted:

Thanks TPM. You raise a good point -- there is a showcase camp my son was planning on attending this summer, when I went and looked at the specific coaches who will be there, for the D1s it is mostly volunteer assistants. Very few PCs or RCs. May be OK for 2020s or 2021s if they're just looking to get on the school's radar, but may not be ideal for 2019s.

The college camp is different. The PC called my son and they spoke for ~30 minutes (and the PC also called his HS coach and spoke with him). Because of an untimely, early playoff exit, the game they were planning to come to watch him pitch didn't happen. They invited him for a visit, so he'll meet with the coaches and tour the place the day before, and then he's going to do the camp the next day and we'll see what happens. It's a little bit of a gamble, just in terms of cost and time, but he's not going in blind or as an unknown to the coaches. 

I think the camp opportunity sounds great.  Because he is a 2019 they can offer that opportunity.

Don't get me wrong about the volunteers. Some are very experienced. Some don't need the benefits and some are wat passed those days of going on the road. For most, this essentially is an apprenticeship to become an assistant.

They essentially are the guys who stay behind to keep an eye on things when coaches leave the campus.  They also are assigned to a group to work with, maybe outfielders. Many are managers for summer college teams.

I am glad you looked, I didn't want anyone to think that I was making it up.

Even some of the showcase camps that people speak really highly of like the Headfirst Honor Roll camp, they have an impressive list of schools committed to attend, but if you look at the coach committed, it is rarely a decision maker from what I have seen for summer.

Ripken Fan posted:

First showcase was fall before Freshman year. Wasn't too costly and gave him his baseline measureables. Son is one of those players/students who benefits from knowing the process (How a showcase is run), before it really "counts, "i.e. junior year. He got to compare his low measurables (arm strength) with kids that were 2-3 years older in attendance. Son was a raw, though athletic undersized player at this point. 

In addition to working on arm strength (which he improved 16 mph in 2 years), he also sought to strengthen a strength--his 60 time. He was told in that first showcase that 6.89 was really good. So his sophomore year he ran indoor track (not hoops)--learned technique from coach and eventually lowered 60 to 6.4 by junior year (which not surprisingly was recorded in a Florida December showcase in the middle of indoor track season). If he hadn't attended showcases early (and found his speed to be such a recruitable tool), I am not sure he would have run indoor track.

Unlike recruits who pitch 90 or hit consistently 350 ft, we also knew son had time as the high academic schools (which he targeted from start) wait longer to see transcript for several years and test scores. Good luck!

Holy smokes a 16 mph gain in velo in two years?  Please share any and all things your son did for that!

baseballhs posted:

Even some of the showcase camps that people speak really highly of like the Headfirst Honor Roll camp, they have an impressive list of schools committed to attend, but if you look at the coach committed, it is rarely a decision maker from what I have seen for summer.

Showball does not allow Volunteer AC's, Headfirst and Stanford do.  It also pays to be selective, and starts by the player creating a list of targeted schools and finding out which coach's will attend which showcase.  Also, helps that the player has communicated with the coaching staff so the player is on their "shopping list" to check out.  

Decision maker: the coaching staff work together and if they see a player they like they will report back to all the coaches.  While the HC has the final say, he leans heavily on the input from the other coaches.

3and2Fastball posted:

Reading this thread is interesting, lots of good points made.   But the biggest thing missing was (in my opinion) the answer to the question the OP asked:  is there a set of measureables that tells you it is time to Showcase?  I think there is, and here is my attempt at listing those:

RHP: mid to Upper 80's
LHP: low to Mid 80's
C/1B/3B: 7.7 sixty time
MI/OF: 7.2 sixty time
Exit Velocity: 85 or higher
Catcher Pop Time: below 2.1
Positional Throwing Velocity: Over 82

Those are low estimates in some ways, and doesn't necessarily show the type of numbers to attract D1 attention, but I think are sufficient numbers to at least get started Showcasing.

 

Would disagree with the 3B at 7.7 being a showcase level... The coaches recruit as many SS's as they can and they'll slide some of those over to 3B, so it helps to have SS level speed and bigger bat to be looked at for 3B.  If a 7.7 can get to 7.1 with a huge bat he'll get attention, a 7.7 does not have quick enough feet to make that glove side play.  JMO  but I'd say if a sophomore is at 7.4 with the glove and bat, the coaches can see the athleticsm, and know the kid is capable of shaving .3-.5 off that time.  My 2018 busted his butt over two years to go from a 7.4 to a 6.9.  

Thanks GOV

so maybe 7.7 for 1B, 7.4 for 3B?

Within 5-10 years, laser timed 10 & 20 yard dashes will be common place, and will be taken in far greater consideration.  There are 7.1 middle infielders with elite burst and 10 yard dash times who are way better Shortstops than many 6.5 runners, but the industry & technology isn't there yet....

Gov posted:

baseballhs posted:

Even some of the showcase camps that people speak really highly of like the Headfirst Honor Roll camp, they have an impressive list of schools committed to attend, but if you look at the coach committed, it is rarely a decision maker from what I have seen for summer.

Showball does not allow Volunteer AC's, Headfirst and Stanford do.  It also pays to be selective, and starts by the player creating a list of targeted schools and finding out which coach's will attend which showcase.  Also, helps that the player has communicated with the coaching staff so the player is on their "shopping list" to check out.  

Decision maker: the coaching staff work together and if they see a player they like they will report back to all the coaches.  While the HC has the final say, he leans heavily on the input from the other coaches.

HCs pay their assistants to find players.  Volunteer assistants also are out there finding players and some are really good at it. Sometimes they will send a grad or student volunteer assistant. 

I brought this up because I know that when people sign up for some of these events, which are expensive, they should understand who will be attending especially from the D1 programs.

3and2Fastball posted:

Thanks GOV

so maybe 7.7 for 1B, 7.4 for 3B?

Within 5-10 years laser timed 10 & 20 yard dashes will be common place and will be taken in far greater consideration.  There are 7.1 middle infielders with elite burst and 10 yard dash times who are way better Shortstops than many 6.5 runners, but the industry & technology isn't there yet....

Concur w your comments, game speed is different.. Pedroia apparently doesn’t break a 7.1, has a lightening first step. Most coach’s we’ve talked to over the past three years still use the 60 as a filter, it provides them w a sense of overall athleticism.  Back to recruiting as many fast SS’s as you can -  flexibility to move to the OF, and gain a utility player.  Stanford HC - “I only recruit SS’s”

Gov -  that makes sense.  I'm a LSU fan.  That roster is loaded with athleticism.  Even their big guys can run.

I've seen it play out many times and recruiting, as a rule of thumb,  occurs right up the middle (C, P, MIF and CF). They typically don't look for corner guys. 

Does this mean your 3rd base prospect is getting left out? No, but he better play with the athleticism of a SS or he needs to absolutely RAKE!

Does this mean your RF prospect is getting left out? No, but there's a likely chance he's in RF because he's got a cannon...……….meaning he's probably not being marketed as a pitcher...….and pitchers get looked at more often and twice on Sunday....

High 80's Lefty's and LH power bats are up there with the 90 + "flame throwers" in the recruiting world and are highly sought after.

Heard from a D1 RC this winter: "if you hit right-handed, you better play shortstop or catcher"

I just want to add the value of networking.  I have watched firsthand a connected "local guy" do MUCH more for local players than any showcase, national tournament, or college camps.  Placing players with solid offers from NAIA to top D1 programs.  As well as getting MLB scouts to watch players.  A simple phone call from this "local guy" to a RC/scout and they are at the next game.  These are seniors and juniors with little to no interest that have been to multiple showcase, national events, and college camps with little to no interest.  A few phone calls from this "local guy," and they ALL have solid offers.  The baseball community is tiny!  They rely on these "local guys."  Find that "local guy!"   This guy is honest and tells the player where his talent/projection fits at the next level.  

FYI these are all the tweeners.  Good HS players in top programs but not the studs.  Well a few seniors who turned into 90mph dudes.  When he takes on a kid, his first two questions are, what's your GPA and SAT scores.  One other piece, this is at no cost.    

To simplify it...……...coaches/recruiters really aren't looking at a position player...……..they're looking  for baseball players and just so happens they are typically placed, ironically, right up the middle on a majority of teams.

By identifying  baseball players and they say, " go play first base." The player won't say, "OH, I play third." (or SS or LF) , you get the point  They play where there is a need and can either learn it or adjust to the position as an athlete. 

real green posted:

I just want to add the value of networking.  I have watched firsthand a connected "local guy" do MUCH more for local players than any showcase, national tournament, or college camps.  Placing players with solid offers from NAIA to top D1 programs.  As well as getting MLB scouts to watch players.  A simple phone call from this "local guy" to a RC/scout and they are at the next game.  These are seniors and juniors with little to no interest that have been to multiple showcase, national events, and college camps with little to no interest.  A few phone calls from this "local guy," and they ALL have solid offers.  The baseball community is tiny!  They rely on these "local guys."  Find that "local guy!"   This guy is honest and tells the player where his talent/projection fits at the next level.  

SPOT ON! The guy you describe is a "trusted" guy, a baseball guy that is respected within the baseball community. That is more powerful than attending numerous showcases. Most of these guys are Associate or Area Scouts as well. 

My son got his college opportunity because of a Pro Scout's connection to the RC. The RC respected his opinion and validation/projection of his abilities.

Real Green - like it, heard about it, we never found that guy.  But I gotta guy in Vegas..😎

IndyBall posted:

Ripken Fan posted:

First showcase was fall before Freshman year. Wasn't too costly and gave him his baseline measureables. Son is one of those players/students who benefits from knowing the process (How a showcase is run), before it really "counts, "i.e. junior year. He got to compare his low measurables (arm strength) with kids that were 2-3 years older in attendance. Son was a raw, though athletic undersized player at this point. 

In addition to working on arm strength (which he improved 16 mph in 2 years), he also sought to strengthen a strength--his 60 time. He was told in that first showcase that 6.89 was really good. So his sophomore year he ran indoor track (not hoops)--learned technique from coach and eventually lowered 60 to 6.4 by junior year (which not surprisingly was recorded in a Florida December showcase in the middle of indoor track season). If he hadn't attended showcases early (and found his speed to be such a recruitable tool), I am not sure he would have run indoor track.

Unlike recruits who pitch 90 or hit consistently 350 ft, we also knew son had time as the high academic schools (which he targeted from start) wait longer to see transcript for several years and test scores. Good luck!

Holy smokes a 16 mph gain in velo in two years?  Please share any and all things your son did for that!

A great deal of hard work and determination. Some of it came from growth (not so much in the height part but strength). Son hit the weight room and did long toss. He had some work with bands but not much. Track coach helped as well. Though his 60 times were usually sub 6.6, his "sub" 6 feet height (he's 5'10") always required those interested in landing him to take a second, third or fourth look at him. He always made a point that no one would outwork him; so he took that approach with him to the gym and eventually the D1 where he would go. I think the fact that he's analytical (would record different points over a period of time and track improvement) helped. In that regard, he had "competition" albeit with himself. 

I updated the list based on comments and consensus. I also added a positional velo category for catchers since that is measured from the catchers stance. Does 70+ sound about right?

RHP: mid to Upper 80's (84+)

LHP: low to Mid 80's (82+)

C/1B: 7.7 sixty time

3B: 7.4 sixty

MI/OF: 7.2 sixty time

Exit Velocity: 85 or higher

Catcher Pop Time: below 2.1 

Positional (non catcher) Throwing Velocity: Over 82

Positional (Catcher) throwing velo: 70+

——-

Ripken Fan posted:

IndyBall posted:

Ripken Fan posted:

First showcase was fall before Freshman year. Wasn't too costly and gave him his baseline measureables. Son is one of those players/students who benefits from knowing the process (How a showcase is run), before it really "counts, "i.e. junior year. He got to compare his low measurables (arm strength) with kids that were 2-3 years older in attendance. Son was a raw, though athletic undersized player at this point. 

In addition to working on arm strength (which he improved 16 mph in 2 years), he also sought to strengthen a strength--his 60 time. He was told in that first showcase that 6.89 was really good. So his sophomore year he ran indoor track (not hoops)--learned technique from coach and eventually lowered 60 to 6.4 by junior year (which not surprisingly was recorded in a Florida December showcase in the middle of indoor track season). If he hadn't attended showcases early (and found his speed to be such a recruitable tool), I am not sure he would have run indoor track.

Unlike recruits who pitch 90 or hit consistently 350 ft, we also knew son had time as the high academic schools (which he targeted from start) wait longer to see transcript for several years and test scores. Good luck!

Holy smokes a 16 mph gain in velo in two years?  Please share any and all things your son did for that!

A great deal of hard work and determination. Some of it came from growth (not so much in the height part but strength). Son hit the weight room and did long toss. He had some work with bands but not much. Track coach helped as well. Though his 60 times were usually sub 6.6, his "sub" 6 feet height (he's 5'10") always required those interested in landing him to take a second, third or fourth look at him. He always made a point that no one would outwork him; so he took that approach with him to the gym and eventually the D1 where he would go. I think the fact that he's analytical (would record different points over a period of time and track improvement) helped. In that regard, he had "competition" albeit with himself. 

Great stuff. Congrats on the work ethic. That’s usually passed down by the parents....

Care to share any of his weight room “must do’s”?  What he got the most benefit from?

My son is coming up on 15 and is ready to hit the weights but I want to be smart about it. There is so much stuff out there, it’s hard to decide which way to go.