How Common are D3 to D1 transfers?

It happens, not very often, but it happens. Of all the kids that I have seen make the change (less than a dozen) only one had what I would call a stellar career (transfer from D3 to D1 then drafted). Most have been major contributors at their D3 transferred to D1 and become bench contributors.

My son went to a D3 played summer ball in the Great Lakes league his freshman summer. He was in the top 5 in hitting at the All-Star break. One of his teammates at a Big-10 school told him that he would be a starter IF he transferred. One of his coaches came to the All-Star game and spoke with my son (in a very unofficial manner), he realized that "the grass is not always greener on the other side of the hill."  It was our experience that those that transfer are looking for something that they may not already have at their current school. Transfers do occur (not that often)but you really won't know how things will pan out until a year or two latter.

It certainly happens and some D3 to D1's work out and the players show the gap is not significant. It happens less now because of the one year sit requirement. I know two who did transfer and did very, very well at the same D1, where another D3 transfer from Ohio (I think) also did very well. The pitcher ended up being the Friday night starter for a Big West program and the position players were the two top hitters.

Some things which are in play and obstacles (the NCAA does not support this for sure):

1.) the one year sit rule;

2.) even if the one year sit can be avoided, there is another NCAA rule which precludes the player from receiving any athletic aid for the first year at the D1, i.e., the D1 coach has nothing to lose;

3.) loss of credits/units toward graduation from the transfer.  In effect, a transfer nearly guarantees the player will be in school at least 5 years. If he is a transfer who gets drafted after his junior year, he  could have 1 1/2 to 2 years left to complete his education.

I personally know two players who transferred from D3 to D1 after 2014 seasons, after Soph year. Neither sat out 2015 season. One was from my son's team who transferred to a California D1 and earned 2nd Team All Conference and led his new team in batting. The other left an SCIAC school to Creighton and was a significant contributor in 2015 season

Swampboy is the expert on transfers, I think he said once there are exceptions.

Interesting post and question.  I personally do not know anyone off the top of my head. But the more interesting question (IMHO) would be why would a player do this.  To make a major change like that there would have to be a burning desire to prove oneself (someone under recruited or really wants to turn pro) or possibly a late developer with the athletic tools to compete at the highest levels.  Transferring can be a huge change not only for baseball but other aspects of college life.   I don't know what the D3 to D1 transfer numbers are but I can only guess they are extremely small.

As for coaches not wanting to showcase these talented D3 players in the most competitive summer leagues, I just don't see that.  College coaches want their players to succeed in the spring and summer as this is how they grow their program reputation and gives their guys the competitive reps they need.  Because there are presumably so few D3 to D1 transfers, I don't see how that would even enter their minds.   

As always, JMO..  

Some coaches, at all levels, are less than energetic at placing players in summer leagues. I don't know of any really good programs at any level that fit this description but there are schools where the players have to be very proactive to find summer spots.    We've signed 3-4 good players that started with an e-mail from the player or their dad, and in one case, their mom.

My son played on a team that played against the SCIAC player in the summer. The year before the SCIAC player was on the team my son was on. Skinny through the grape vine was not for baseball reasons but he regretted his choice of schools. SO while baseball played a part it was not necessarily the driving force. But I suppose it helped that he got on at a D1.

Most D3-D1 transfers I have heard of did not require a sit out year. So there are reasons that it can be waived. I know if you were not originally recruited to your first school there is no sit out year. I have also heard that if your current school does not have your major you do not have to sit out.(I do not know how true that is) So there are exceptions. 

This is very insightful from fenway.  Our son's former D3 coach strives to put his players in the top Summer leagues where they will be challenged in baseball to get better, but to also have those types of experiences they might not otherwise have. He has lost  a few including to a  family situation, girlfriend and even one to surfing, but he never stops.

This past Summer, after finishing 3rd in the CWS, his players competed at the highest levels of many leagues including being All Stars in the NECBL (2 players) and Northwoods.

He did that with our son too and was very open about the fact he expected his play to open D1 doors and options, which happened during each Summer. In fact, one ACC school had our son admitted, registered for classes, and assigned with roommates and housing.

Personally, this is where I think the rubber truly can meet the road in terms of "fit." A college coach who knows his University offers great academics in a great environment can be a very strong representative in reinforcing what that offers, when other options arise. This was major in our son's choices, especially after his junior year when he saw the number of units he would lose,even though his education was right with the best.

A college coach who  has earned the respect of his players can lean of those   relationships, and all they mean. I like to call this one "integrity." For our son, this one turned out to be another major factor because the D3 coach found him, believed in him, opened those college and Summer league opportunities in baseball as well as the opportunities in the classrooms of a top academic school. From an integrity perspective, the coach  had been about as close to true in meeting every expectation.  I am pretty confident that was true this Summer with those he placed who became top performers or  All-Stars in the best leagues.

The D3 to D1 "option" is where "fit" can get tested.  College coaches who work as hard as some of the top ones at the D3 level can be in  a strong position of providing perspectives on what "is"when  "measured" against  the "grass is greener" scale.

As fenway also very properly noted, having D3  players succeed at very high levels in top Summer leagues and  with the MLB draft lets those being recruited or wanting to be recruited know that this program and coaching staff delivers. 

With all of this said, I still think the most critical factor can  end up being integrity.  I  could be off base, but I believe D3 allows a coach to have a relationship with his players which is very different than ones where money/scholarships play a role every year for 3-4 years.