Just wondering, typically when are catchers recuited? Just trying to gauge the current climate of the coming years of catcher committments. I understand that top notch studs will get scoped up right away but what about the next tier of qualified catchers. My son is a 2016 is a good DII to a low end DI quality catcher, so when do DII's primarily commit players; I assume fall, after the lions get their share and what is left over gets divided up. Thanks.
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There really isn't a general timeline. A college coach will recruit your son when he sees something that makes him think he can contribute to their program.
My son's summer team has 3 pretty talented catchers in their program. A 2015, 2016, and 2017.
2015 committed to a Big 12 school the week before this year's WWBA in Atlanta so summer after his junior year.
Talked to the 2016's dad yesterday and he said that his son has yet to really get much attention from college coaches yet. For reference same group has 4 2016 committed and all 4 are pitchers.
2017 may go soon as he is truly elite. Physically and ability.
Still pretty early for most 2016s is my feeling especially the position players. Good luck to your son.
There are currently seven 2016 PA catchers (primary position) rated "Follow" or higher on perfectgame.org. Two of them have commitments posted (with Pitt and Maryland).
From my experience, most borderline DI/DII position players will hold out hope for DI until the summer after their junior year. If the summer progresses and they aren’t getting any interest they start talking to DII or DIII schools. I assume that DII/DIII coaches understand this pattern very well and they don't work too hard for those kids until they know they're looking for a home. As redbird5 says, you really can't generalize but if the commitments you see on PG are any indication, there isn't much activity for position players at DIIs until late summer after junior year.
Thanks guys for confirming I'm not going nuts. It definately seems different for catchers. i've been scratching my head when I see some position players getting interest that have weak bats and average to above average defense and catchers getting little love. My follow up Q is, does it make more sense to just focus on doing camps at schools or interest coupled with some showcases like PBR, baseball Factory and the like, instead of paying so much to be on a showcase team that travels the East Coast to all the big events? Its hard to say now but I have a feeling my son will just choose to stay local in PA. its good to get different perspectives that allow to open your eyes to things i'm not aware of.
.....My follow up Q is, does it make more sense to just focus on doing camps at schools or interest coupled with some showcases like PBR, baseball Factory and the like, instead of paying so much to be on a showcase team that travels the East Coast to all the big events? Its hard to say now but I have a feeling my son will just choose to stay local in PA. its good to get different perspectives that allow to open your eyes to things i'm not aware of.
If he is leaning toward staying in PA, work the local scene through PBR, UA Top 96, etc. FYI......UA Top 96 has 2 separate camps on Dec 27-28 in eastern and western PA. Nice part is that the camp is 2 days with the coaches being paid instructors which will afford your son a lot of one on one time to develop an initial relationship with several local schools.
4baseknock - thanks for the input.
Have your son contact the coaches of schools he is interested in playing at.
My suggestion is to find someone who can be an advocate for him and have that person make calls for him. My son who is a catcher also did not get recruited until just before his Senior HS season in the spring. It was only after a local MLB scout called his current coach that he ended up where he is.
