@baseballhs posted:And to me that’s not a coach, it’s a manager.
Does it really matter? The bottom line behind the salary is, “Are you winning enough to keep your job?”
Jerry Tarkanian, UNLV basketball coach said he loved transfers. Someone else had already bought them their car.
We have 4 grad transfers that started at their previous schools, 3 were P5s. Two are starters this year at our school. No kid I know, factored in competing against kids in the program for an extra year, transfer portal kids that could immediately play, and 5th year grad students. Last year, we had 8 5th year seniors. I can only assume they will bring in more grad transfers next year. At what point do you develop? And there was no way to predict a school would have these issues prior to COVID.
@baseballhs posted:We have 4 grad transfers that started at their previous schools, 3 were P5s. Two are starters this year at our school. No kid I know, factored in competing against kids in the program for an extra year, transfer portal kids that could immediately play, and 5th year grad students. Last year, we had 8 5th year seniors. I can only assume they will bring in more grad transfers next year. At what point do you develop? And there was no way to predict a school would have these issues prior to COVID.
I believe the the eligibility rules for 2022-23 season are changing with respects to grad transfers.
@baseballhs posted:And to me that’s not a coach, it’s a manager.
I am with you on this one. There are coaches out there that are recruiting exceptionally young talent, keeping them from accepting other offers and then stocking up on transfers.
The cream eventually rises to the top but you have to get your freshman in the game because they don't learn sitting on the bench. Some coaches recruit on a 3 year cycle, many have no clue.
So here is a good story. 3 best friends who played travel ball with each other decide they want to play on the same team. One wanted to go play at the program where his brother got drafted first round. 2 turn down P5 interest and decide to go to the mid D1 with their buddy. 2 are now in their soph year and played all last year. One is a super 2. He should be drafted very high this year, the other next.
Great story! Smart HC!
Just keep in mind, your talent will follow you wherever you go, and more than likely you will never spend a day on the bench!
JMO
@CollegebaseballInsights posted:I believe the the eligibility rules for 2022-23 season are changing with respects to grad transfers.
That would be great but there are tons in the portal right now.
@TPM posted:I am with you on this one. There are coaches out there that are recruiting exceptionally young talent, keeping them from accepting other offers and then stocking up on transfers.
The cream eventually rises to the top but you have to get your freshman in the game because they don't learn sitting on the bench. Some coaches recruit on a 3 year cycle, many have no clue.
So here is a good story. 3 best friends who played travel ball with each other decide they want to play on the same team. One wanted to go play at the program where his brother got drafted first round. 2 turn down P5 interest and decide to go to the mid D1 with their buddy. 2 are now in their soph year and played all last year. One is a super 2. He should be drafted very high this year, the other next.
Great story! Smart HC!
Just keep in mind, your talent will follow you wherever you go, and more than likely you will never spend a day on the bench!
JMO
We have a kid from our team last year that got less than 20 innings. He had been a draft threat out of hs. Transferred over the summer and is now a Friday night starter at a top 25 team with sn ERA under 2.
@baseballhs posted:We have a kid from our team last year that got less than 20 innings. He had been a draft threat out of hs. Transferred over the summer and is now a Friday night starter at a top 25 team with sn ERA under 2.
Sometimes you have to be willing to change course in mid-steam for things to work out.
I don’t dispute that, and I guess that’s when you decide how important baseball is. I also think it’s unfortunate when kids commit and buy in, make friends, establish classes and graduation route and then have to decide between what they’ve invested and starting over, because coaches don’t have the same level of buy in. It happens everyday but it’s still unfortunate.
Agree 100%
@RJM posted:My only question in TimeFlies equation is why is a kid perceived to be the next shortstop not traveling with the team as a backup? He’s probably talented enough to backup a few infield positions, pinch hit or pinch run.
I’m not saying he’s not good enough. But as a player I would be analyzing this scenario.
This is the point I'm trying to make. The issue isn't the playing time - the issue is the traveling
There are other backup infielders traveling. The actions would indicate there are others in the plans ahead of TimeFlies Jr.
At the very least there are some uncomfortable questions that need to be addressed.
@RJM and @PABaseball are both on point. Any player that’s important to a program is on the travel squad. To me, the actions of leaving him off the travel squad speak much louder than the words from his coach.
@CollegebaseballInsights posted:I believe the the eligibility rules for 2022-23 season are changing with respects to grad transfers.
Can you elaborate on that specifically.?
All the speculation on the integrity of the coach or analogies to other successes, or not, to me, miss the critical person-the player who is not traveling but was placed by the coaching staff, last year, in a pretty good Summer league run by PG.
Players cannot be distracted by what they cannot control. In College and above, they need to have a singular focus when it comes to baseball.
Be early to practice and do all the early work they can. Get an assistant and work late when everyone else is in the showers.
When the team is traveling, be in the cages and hitting until …..
Be the first in the weight room and the last to leave! Be there when the team is traveling.
Get ready for the PG Summer league so the player creates opportunities there, whether they are with the current coaches or with other programs, even if they are not D1!
FYI about D1 travel. 30 allowed to travel and dress out. 27 max roster never changes exception probably injury.
So if there are, let's say 37, on roster. 7 stay home. That would be if the program can afford to fly 30 players out.
@RJM posted:My only question in TimeFlies equation is why is a kid perceived to be the next shortstop not traveling with the team as a backup? He’s probably talented enough to backup a few infield positions, pinch hit or pinch run.
I’m not saying he’s not good enough. But as a player I would be analyzing this scenario.
@RJM, I agree with you on the overall analysis. He could play second or third, etc and the head coach even told him in one of his meetings with him that they plan to start moving him around in the Fall. This really goes back to my confusion about how positive and encouraging the head coach has been versus what I see with how things are going. They do have a 40 man roster and in their conference only 27 are allowed to travel.
Some other details that I am getting from son - apparently another Freshman that does not play much at all but does travel had a meeting with the head coach a couple weeks back. During his meeting the coach told this other Freshman kid that "You and TimeFlies Son are kids that we want in this program and we see you guys making an impact here in the future". So I dont know what to make of it all and the reality is the exit meetings will tell the final story - other than that it is all conjecture and trying to piece things together HAHA.
Thanks again for the conversation and feedback!
@TPM posted:FYI about D1 travel. 30 allowed to travel and dress out. 27 max roster never changes exception probably injury.
So if there are, let's say 37, on roster. 7 stay home. That would be if the program can afford to fly 30 players out.
@TPM, thanks for the reply. I believe his school is carrying 40 on the roster this season and their conference only allows 27 to travel at this time.
@infielddad posted:All the speculation on the integrity of the coach or analogies to other successes, or not, to me, miss the critical person-the player who is not traveling but was placed by the coaching staff, last year, in a pretty good Summer league run by PG.
Players cannot be distracted by what they cannot control. In College and above, they need to have a singular focus when it comes to baseball.
Be early to practice and do all the early work they can. Get an assistant and work late when everyone else is in the showers.
When the team is traveling, be in the cages and hitting until …..
Be the first in the weight room and the last to leave! Be there when the team is traveling.
Get ready for the PG Summer league so the player creates opportunities there, whether they are with the current coaches or with other programs, even if they are not D1!
Thanks for this! Its easy to get caught up in the what-ifs and lose sight of the day-to-day!
I'll add perspective to PitchingFan's points from page 1.
I'm a bit confused by your confusion, TimeFlies. Coaches manage a whole roster. Coaches manage and recruit for the present and the future. Good coaches develop players throughout the process. Good coaches will instruct. Good coaches will be critical, will discipline and will be painfully honest at times. But mostly, good coaches will encourage. They will provide positive reinforcement to help a player maximize the potential they saw in him when they recruited him. They will encourage him to embrace his current role and strive for a bigger one going forward. There are many reasons rosters have more than nine position players. Part of the coach' responsibility is to continue grooming newer players to be excellent successors to those before them. This certainly doesn't always translate into those newer/younger players playing or traveling right away.
Sometimes, the praise, encouragement, instruction, guidance, etc., does translate into eventual significant contributions by the player. Sometimes it doesn't work out that way. I've shared probably too often here some of the successes and failures of one of my sons that played and coached college ball. At one stop, he came on to a big program low on the depth chart, earned his way up in the Fall, even into many Spring starts. At some point in the season, the hits stopped falling and this eventually led to a rough exit meeting and a transfer. The coach was encouraging all along the way. He wasn't lying or being dishonest. Son's position on the depth chart and position at that exit meeting were all based on his performance as compared to the other players in the system at any given point. The next year at another school, he received the same amount of praise and encouragement. This time, his performance warranted staying in the starter role for the duration. In neither case was the coach lying or misleading. They try to get the most out of every player on the roster. Most are not starters. In my son's case, he continues to have great relationships and mutual respect for both of those coaches. Heck, he probably has even more for the one who told him he wouldn't have a spot the next season.
If the coach was not encouraging and not talking about your son being a part of the program's future, THAT would be cause for concern.
Best to him and do keep us informed.
Last night I was watching the Florida / Vandy game and a Florida player batting .340 with 12 HRs came up to the plate. The announcer commented on his outstanding sophomore season. He then noted that as a freshman, this player got 4 ABs the entire season. Clearly this kid can play. Surely he could play last year, but for whatever reason had to wait for his opportunity to prove himself.
I hope your son can stay focused and work hard every day, so he is ready when he gets his shot.
@Texas posted:Last night I was watching the Florida / Vandy game and a Florida player batting .340 with 12 HRs came up to the plate. The announcer commented on his outstanding sophomore season. He then noted that as a freshman, this player got 4 ABs the entire season. Clearly this kid can play. Surely he could play last year, but for whatever reason had to wait for his opportunity to prove himself.
I hope your son can stay focused and work hard every day, so he is ready when he gets his shot.
Nice post.
Wyatt Langford played those 4 games as a pinch hitter last year.
Two pitchers in the game for Florida last night are RS freshman.
So many folks say go to a program where you won't sit. However, some programs take the time to develop players and others don't. This happens at all levels, the player and family has to do their homework. You need to understand the coaching staff philosophy before you commit.
JMO
@TPM posted:Nice post.
Wyatt Langford played those 4 games as a pinch hitter last year.
Two pitchers in the game for Florida last night are RS freshman.
So many folks say go to a program where you won't sit. However, some programs take the time to develop players and others don't. This happens at all levels, the player and family has to do their homework. You need to understand the coaching staff philosophy before you commit.
JMO
One needs to know the roster management strategy of the program are they a build vs buy. Many are trending toward buying.
Turnover by Position
How many players from previous year (2021) that are not on current roster (2022) with potential reason why by graduation class
What skill position were lost by class
Incoming players, as you can see they recruited heavily from JUCO, note the 2020 and 2021 was waiver, meaning JUCO players come in with more college game experience without using up eligibility.
Same incoming players by position
@CollegebaseballInsights posted:One needs to know the roster management strategy of the program are they a build vs buy. Many are trending toward buying.
CBI - I don't know if I would call it a (differentiated) strategy because everybody is doing it..."buying" that is. It is so much easier and timely to acquire talent than build or develop it based on today's groundrules. I submit "build vs buy" is an economic outcome reality of Covid and the policies of the NCAA. Build vs buy is economics 101 as coaches are going to the path of least resistance in their world of winning baseball games. I see it every day in my line of work, just in a different form of capex or opex. Organizations have to decide between cost and time (now). College baseball is no different at this moment.
JMO.
@fenwaysouth posted:CBI - I don't know if I would call it a (differentiated) strategy because everybody is doing it..."buying" that is. It is so much easier and timely to acquire talent than build or develop it based on today's groundrules. I submit "build vs buy" is an economic outcome reality of Covid and the policies of the NCAA. Build vs buy is economics 101 as coaches are going to the path of least resistance in their world of winning baseball games. I see it every day in my line of work, just in a different form of capex or opex. Organizations have to decide between cost and time (now). College baseball is no different at this moment.
JMO.
@fenwaysouth Pre-covid depending on the team, there was more of a build and develop mentality.
Note, with respects to NCAA-D1, the numbers seem to be trending up from previous years.
As we reconcile the transfers for the last couple of years, we will understand how much movement occurred pre-covid and post. How many JUCOs actually go NCAA-D1.
IMHO, Covid and the eligibility rules have provide more human resources into play. Transfer portal has provided the ability to move freely.
Note, everybody might be doing it, but the numbers will differ based on need.
Note, we are talking the same thing, just different wording. High School Players (families) need to understand the change in the process.
@Texas posted:Last night I was watching the Florida / Vandy game and a Florida player batting .340 with 12 HRs came up to the plate. The announcer commented on his outstanding sophomore season. He then noted that as a freshman, this player got 4 ABs the entire season. Clearly this kid can play. Surely he could play last year, but for whatever reason had to wait for his opportunity to prove himself.
I hope your son can stay focused and work hard every day, so he is ready when he gets his shot.
I don't like being so negative but it's important to give all the context. I was watching the same game and had to see why this kid wasn't playing last year. Here are the resumes of the 2021 UF outfield.
LF - 2021 7th round pick
CF - 2022 Draft Top 50 prospect, All American. Skipped senior year of HS to enroll early at UF and started every game as a freshman
RF - 2022 Draft Top 100 prospect. All SEC
The conversation there was probably - you're sitting behind 3 of the best amateur OFs . Learn something and you will inherit the position of the first to go pro. Which is exactly what happened
@PABaseball posted:The conversation there was probably - you're sitting behind 3 of the best amateur OFs . Learn something and you will inherit the position of the first to go pro. Which is exactly what happened
Well we weren't there so we don't really know the conversation but Langford did an interview and said he came physically unprepared to compete. He changed his diet and transformed his body. Won the LF position.
I think it's a good lesson for parents and players to understand how much work is needed to compete.
A player just can't expect to show up and get into the lineup because he got a scholarship.
Once again any players not in the lineup need to be working on getting ready for summer baseball and stop worrying about what position that they are not playing!
@TPM posted:.Once again any players not in the lineup need to be working on getting ready for summer baseball and stop worrying about what position that they are not playing!
100% agree. My freshman D3 kid has 2 at bats on the season so far. He came home for a quick visit for 24 hours, last night, and is in the weight room at a local gym as I type this. Summer ball will be a good opportunity for him, he’s got a great regional JUCO coach as his manager and 34 games scheduled over June & July.
What I remind my kid is to focus on what he can control: his preparation, individual workouts, getting good grades, his nutrition and his mental game. If he does all of that, everything else will fall into place over the course of time.
What I think a lot of parents and players overlook is that the grass isn’t always greener by transferring. It’s not like switching travel programs. I mean yeah if you are forced out that’s one thing, but it’s often better to stick it out for another year and battle for playing time than jumping to a new school.
Finding the right fit academically and socially at a school that is the right fit for your talent level is challenging enough, then there is the factor of team culture & chemistry, or lack thereof, and facilities play a role too, plus coaching etc
If you liked a school enough to commit, it’s often better to give it more than one freshman season. Am I wrong?
@3and2Fastball posted:What I think a lot of parents and players overlook is that the grass isn’t always greener by transferring. It’s not like switching travel programs. I mean yeah if you are forced out that’s one thing, but it’s often better to stick it out for another year and battle for playing time than jumping to a new school.
Finding the right fit academically and socially at a school that is the right fit for your talent level is challenging enough, then there is the factor of team culture & chemistry, or lack thereof, and facilities play a role too, plus coaching etc
If you liked a school enough to commit, it’s often better to give it more than one freshman season. Am I wrong?
It depends on what information was available when the decision was made and did you understand said decision?
Who move my cheese? Or maybe the cheese was not the type that you really liked? Maybe you and the family now know what you don't like.
@3and2Fastball posted:If you liked a school enough to commit, it’s often better to give it more than one freshman season. Am I wrong?
Unfortunetly it's not always up to the player to decide if he stays or goes.
I don't know the answer. The most important may be, does the coach develop rather than restock? How many transfers in and out? VERY IMPORTANT!!
If a player decides not to stay after 1 year with no playing time then he has to realize there aren't that many options available to transfer in the same division. Maybe none, especially these days.
Many coaches do look for players that played and stats to prove it (rebuild). Many coaches don't know how to coach. JMO. They are in it for the wrong reasons. I like the combination of a more mature and seasoned HC, with younger staff that has enthusiasm, endless energy and understands bb metrics. Many older players who are transferring are because their current school doesn't give grad $$. It's easier for a coach to pick up an older player from a good program because they know that coaches coached from that program.
Remember we said it here. A D1 dropping down to a D2, D3, Juco etc. is not a guarantee he will play there either. I am a huge fan of JUCO. Great starting place for so many players.
Reality is that at many programs freshman don't contribute. They just don't. Doesn't matter what level, this is the reality of today's college baseball.
I could tell stories about sons recruiting and playing experience but times have changed folks. You could not transfer D1 to D1, Juco programs were not as strong as they are today, APR rates didn't exist, athletic scholarships were not 25%, no lotteries. In the fall some programs brought in so many players to practice then sent them off to JUCO with the promise they could come back the following year, no covid, no portal.
This is 2022 folks.
One premise remains the same. If you were a high school standout, draft consideration and chose to attend college, you play. Period.
Study rosters and read players bios (my preference to charts). If you arent playing, work hard in the classroom and weight room and cages, pitchers follow your routine set out by pcoach. Instead of being upset, afraid of losing your scholarship, take care of business, get ready for summer and next season even if knowing you might not be there.
I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but if players and their parents understand about the freshman experience and college baseball, like 3and2, life will be much easier.
Remember always that your player can only control what he/ she can control.
***One premise remains the same. If you were a high school standout, draft consideration and chose to attend college, you play. Period.***
In 2022, this isn't true anymore. I know several boys who turned down the draft and didn't play freshman year or much so far sophomore year. One of the highest 2021 recruits this year turned down the draft and was told at Christmas that he would not play, he transferred to a juco. Another guy turned down 2-3 round money and played little last year and doesn't look promising this year. Two of the top draft threats at South Carolina got very little time last year and transferred out. My son could have gone out of hs and made the decision that he wasn't ready mentally, he has played very little. We have 4 grad transfers that were P5 starters. It just isn't playing out like it did prior to covid and the portal. That said...my advice to my son is still the same as you suggested, although now its more about allegiance to himself. Control what you can, work hard, get your bullpens in even if opportunities aren't given...even if it means throwing into a net, get ready for summer, and then go kick a**.
I hear what you are saying but I stand by my statement.
Perhaps the players weren't as far along in their development? Not enough money?
What is the recruiting philosophy of the program or don't they have one for the players that gave up the draft? Development or restock?
One thing I forgot to mention. Somes coaches tend to load up on players because they don't want them to go to the competition. That's pretty common in a LOT of specific geographical areas with lots of talented players and programs.
Would you agree?
TPM and others, how many prospective players watch the College team play a game? During the games did they interview the parents of the current team is players. What questions would you ask the parents.?
Why, when, where, what and how?
Bob
@Consultant posted:TPM and others, how many prospective players watch the College team play a game? During the games did they interview the parents of the current team is players. What questions would you ask the parents.?
Why, when, where, what and how?
Bob
I don't know Bob that's a good question. I would hope many.
But just as important, coach should have a plan and player should ask what it is. Bringing in a boatload of transfers doesn't always cut it.
JMO
@TPM posted:I don't know Bob that's a good question. I would hope many.
But just as important, coach should have a plan and player should ask what it is. Bringing in a boatload of transfers doesn't always cut it.
JMO
The plan is to get the best players that can help their program. If I'm a coach, do I go after a Covid JUCO Player, who already has 2 years of college life, lets say (70 games) in 2 years, and has 4 yrs of eligibility Or a HS Player.
Note, we haven't done a deep review of the juco pipeline, but on quick glance it looks like the numbers have been increasing since 2019.
As we are all aware, the 2021 season allowed the 4 yr schools to have unlimited roster, thus many took advantage of the opportunity.
https://collegebaseballinsight...-pipeline-dashboard/
Note, as the JUCO coaches have improved their relationships with the 4 yr programs, they can easily sell a more finished product to a 4 yr school.
IMHO, The live streaming of JUCO games, provides a clear advantage of a players characteristic vs a HS players showcasing.
@CollegebaseballInsights posted:The plan is to get the best players that can help their program. If I'm a coach, do I go after a Covid JUCO Player, who already has 2 years of college life, lets say (70 games) in 2 years, and has 4 yrs of eligibility Or a HS Player.
Note, we haven't done a deep review of the juco pipeline, but on quick glance it looks like the numbers have been increasing since 2019.
As we are all aware, the 2021 season allowed the 4 yr schools to have unlimited roster, thus many took advantage of the opportunity.
https://collegebaseballinsight...-pipeline-dashboard/
Note, as the JUCO coaches have improved their relationships with the 4 yr programs, they can easily sell a more finished product to a 4 yr school.
IMHO, The live streaming of JUCO games, provides a clear advantage of a players characteristic vs a HS players showcasing.
Yes. You get the best players to help you win. But obviously, coaches are out there all summer long looking for talented HS players. That still remains the main pipeline for programs.
Son was at a successful mid year D1 and was able to compete every year because they brought in JUCO transfers. Not a program where many are drafted. It's not filled with HS superstars. I think there is one 4 year college transfer now, maybe 2, not sure. Great JUCO pipeline here in Florida.
The Sunshine State, also has many super talented HS seniors, or many who do end up at either one of the P5 programs or perhaps out of state and many contribute beginning first year.
What's going on in fall practice?
I do agree that P5 programs are bringing in a lot of P5 transfers. I don't blame this as much on covid as the one time transfer rule for D1. JMO.
How many times have people here said, players should be able to transfer if a coach leaves for a better opportunity. Well here it is.
But for a player that considered the draft vs college and took the second choice did they discuss a development plan with the coach? Are they playing?
Developing talent is a skill. Not all programs can do that.
Just sayin.
@TPM posted:Yes. You get the best players to help you win. But obviously, coaches are out there all summer long looking for talented HS players. That still remains the main pipeline for programs.
Son was at a successful mid year D1 and was able to compete every year because they brought in JUCO transfers. Not a program where many are drafted. It's not filled with HS superstars. I think there is one 4 year college transfer now, maybe 2, not sure. Great JUCO pipeline here in Florida.
The Sunshine State, also has many super talented HS seniors, or many who do end up at either one of the P5 programs or perhaps out of state and many contribute beginning first year.
What's going on in fall practice?
I do agree that P5 programs are bringing in a lot of P5 transfers. I don't blame this as much on covid as the one time transfer rule for D1. JMO.
How many times have people here said, players should be able to transfer if a coach leaves for a better opportunity. Well here it is.
But for a player that considered the draft vs college and took the second choice did they discuss a development plan with the coach? Are they playing?
Developing talent is a skill. Not all programs can do that.
Just sayin.
IMO , with access to live stream and other insights, the pipeline to 4 year schools will shift based on region.
The talented high school player is one year out with limited sample size.
There is one thing that we are overlooking, the HS Stud that didn't have grades, thus didn't have an NLI from a p5 in order to use as draft leverage.
With no NLI in hand, what are the odds that he gets drafted high out of high school?
On another note:
Below is a quick look at some of the SEC schools with the incoming players for the 2022 season.
Column:
Overall number of new players
4 year transfers
2 year transfers
CBI,
baseballhs had mentioned previous posts regarding HS talented players that turned down the draft and not playing. In baseballhs's experience this is something being witnessed first hand.
I am wondering where is the development?
I am not really into the chart thing.
Sorry.
My opinions are different than some on this topic. But relative to “development”, at almost all competitive D1 programs I say there is none. CBI seems to share that opinion (correct me if I’m wrong). Covid has changed all of that for the worse. The axiom has forever been “go where you are loved.” But IMO that has changed too. If you want to get on the field you better go where you are needed. The problem is that no competitive D1 or D2 programs need any HS grads. Literally. They have no need for them - and yet some are still recruiting as many as they always have. Most of them show up on campus and immediately are at a competitive disadvantage b/c their position is stacked with more experienced players ahead of them. So who is going to work with these 18 year old freshmen to make them better players. Position coaches? Nope. They are busy working with the guys that can help them win now. How about older players? Probably not. They have their own game to worry about. And god forbid you are a lowly incoming freshman P and there is no sidearmer currently on the staff. If that’s the case guess who gets turned into one. Is that the best thing for that kid? Maybe but maybe not. My contention is that in today’s world nobody is helping freshmen players at D1s that aren’t contributing - especially at P5 schools. They are left to their own devices. Most stagnate, regress, and lose their confidence. Right now the deck is stacked against the HS grad worse than ever before. If you don’t recognize that, and change your strategy accordingly, you are setting your son (and yourself) up for a huge disappointment. So what’s the answer? For the next few years the answer is Junior College. But you better do your homework there too. Most JuCos are way better with developing pitchers or position players. One or the other. Hardly ever both. Lots of homework to do. One thing that’s getting on my last nerve is seeing scouting services (VTool, PBR, etc.) constantly telling HS players they are D1 guys just to make a splash on social media. It sets unrealistic expectations. The whole situation is a mess created by the NCAA and their infinite (lack of) wisdom. Only people who get realistic in a hurry and really do their homework are likely to have a good experience.
An example of what has changed and made life as a baseball player impossible to predict. Pre COVID, a kid gets drafted out of hs in later rounds. Turns it down, but clearly a talented player. He’s a catcher, and walks into a scenario where he will likely sit a year until starter graduates. Then COVID happens and the catcher returns for 21 as a fifth year. Kid sit again…but next year, he is up. Nope, school brings in a grad transfer who is the new starter. Only because of the grad players injury, the kid finally gets a shot and is doing very well. Grad is about to come off injury, so we will see how that plays out. There is zero way to predict, and this kid is good and would have been wasted for a 3rd year.
Perfect real life example of what’s going on at competitive D1 programs. Thank you @baseballhs. This isn’t an isolated incident by the way. It’s happening all over college baseball. More at the top D1 schools than anywhere else but no player is immune to it happening to them.
