Background info on my 2010 RHP. He is 5'11 180, good shape and strength. Velocity this winter (January) was low 80's, change up approx 10-12 miles per hour slower and he throws both of those for strikes, he also flirts with a cutter. Just started with breaking pitches and those are coming along nicely.
He is also holding on tightly to a 3.6 gpa and scored a 27 on his ACT the first time he took it. Which in the long run I hope will help with the college thing!!
In January he was rated at a showcase in St. Louis. The grading scale was from 1-6, 6 being a Large D1 Prospect/high draft pick. His fielding and hitting were rated at all fours and fives, D2/small D1/potential, incredibly the rater didnt watch him pitch and he was not rated (kind of upsetting since thats his primary position!?!?!?)
This showcase was attended and graded by mostly midwest colleges, that included Missouri, Missouri State, Central Missouri, SIU, Illinois, and about 15 other schools, all decent programs and a pretty good mixture of D1, D2, JUCO and NAIA and most of these schools are in the top 20 of their respective divisions. There were also about 3-5 Pro and Former Pro scouts grading.
Team history, mediocre at best until last year, they enjoyed their best season ever finishing 21-4 loosing in Districts to the eventual class 4 (largest in baseball for MO) State Champion 9-7. That team is also top 25 in the nation this year pre-season. Last year his team started 7 or 8 juniors every game, three of which were named all-state and they graduated one all state senior 3rd bagger and only lost two other seniors. Our team is also pre-season top 10 in Missouri class 4.
So, knowing how baseball goes, I say this with a grain of salt, the team should be successful once again this year. My 2010RHP projects to pitch 3rd behind two all staters from last year and in many opinions locally can hold his own with the number 2. He is also in a battle (tryouts are this week) for the vacant 3rd Bag opening. Which I may speak more of later.
I know that the Mid West is not a "breeding ground" of top D1 prospects (which in my opinion is weather related) and I agree with my sons assessment at the last showcase. Not that in the grand scheme my opinion really matters...
I feel obligated to introduce him and I before we start talking and asking questions, we are glad to meet all of you and look forward to this season and all of the great converstation Im sure will come!!
Thanks again for all the great posts so far and I look forward to bending your ears for advice probably more than you can stand...lol Good Luck to all as our seasons begin!!!
