How important is it to play in your best position in college?

I don't believ so-- most pro scouts, bbscout please correct me if I am wrong, look at the "player" and how he projects--Mickey Mantle was a shortstop before he hit the pros


Also keep in mind what YOU think is his best psoition may not in fact be his best position down the road

I don't think you have an issue to worry about.If you think your son is a rightfielder one assumes he must have the arm strength to play there. If so, that arm strength can carry him a long way in projectability. One of my son's teammates from last years draft went to Stanford where in 4 years he played 1b, 3rd, LF, RF, and even some games at SS. Ended up being drafted and playing 2nd, a position he had never played in his life.

grandslamfan

You are concerned about being recruited by pros out of college. One thing at a time.

Grandslamfan,
I have always said that versatility is good. Let me temper that and add; up until you go to college. It opens additional college doors, but once you start college, to continue playing more than one position has no benefit. I think it may hurt your chances ...some. I have given this a lot of thought because my son is currently in the middle of this process. Signed as a catcher out of high school, went to college and caught, 3b, 1b, and used sparingly as a closer his first year in college. During his sophomore year stared the first 15 games as a catcher but moved to a weekend starter on the mound and used as a designated hitter when not pitching. This year he’s back behind the dish and will be used at 3b when not catching. Pro scouts are not looking for catchers that can pitch or pitchers that can catch... so, in my opinion, all that versatility is for naught if you happen to get the chance to play professionally. I say you stand a better chance of standing out as a draft prospect if you can hone your skills at one position.
I'm sure there are those that can cite instances where multi position players improved their stock, so.....
Fungo

Fungo, very interesting to contrast Josh's experience with the player I was referring to, Brian Hall from Stanford. Hopefully bbscout will have something to say here also. I would think it would be extremely difficult to rotate in and out of catching/pitching as your son has done but BA seems to think it has not affected where he is viewed at the next level. Last summer, his first professionally, mine rotated between 2nd, SS, and 3rd. Very happy to do it to get playing time. The coaches provided plenty of encouragement as the way to continue to progress through the minor leagues. In fact, at one point he was packed and waiting for a taxi to move from short season A to AAA as a possible injury replacement for 2 middle infielders. He also found the different positions challenging and a mental grind. Your post was great. It again reinforces how easy these guys can make the game appear to those of us who never played that level and do not fully comprehend the challenges of playing/mastering one position compared to 2 or 3. I would still contend that if the issue is the draft, playing multiple positions is not a drawback but I can respect that the positions involved could well affect one's views.

I agree with Fungo. But on the bright side, his son got to save his knees for a few games. Glad it seemed to have worked out well for him.

Picking one's position is ideal if you have that option. There usually are more important factors that go into the choice of schools but if all things are equal why not choose your position. From my coaches perspective, rather than parental, players should play where they can most help their team be successful. Summer ball, if that is an option, is a good time to play positions that you would like to develop.

I always tell my players: better to play left field than left OUT, meaning that being on the field regardless of position is better than sitting the bench! Most coaches ideally want to put players in the positions that best suit their unique talents, but at times every coach is forced to veer from that ideal. Anyone that has coached very long knows that at some point you will probably have to move players to help the team...and any player should be willing to do that for the sake of his teammates.
There are SO many examples of kids who started at one position, were switched in college, then played for years in the pros at a position they would never have imagined playing.

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There are SO many examples of kids who started at one position, were switched in college, then played for years in the pros at a position they would never have imagined playing.

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Good point Coach. I thought of few college players and the positions they mostly played.

Mark Mcguire- USC, Pitcher
Keith Foulke- Galveston JC, 2nd Base
Tim Wakefield, Florida Institute of Technology, INF

I once had a shortstop (NAIA) who was a back-up to one of the greatest players we ever had. I needed a third baseman, but this kid said he didn't want to play 3rd. He ended up sitting the bench most of the season instead of playing. He might have gotten 130 or more at bats.

In reality, players don't choose the positions that they play. Only one person fills out the lineup card for each game.

Good thread. College players that have a chance to be drafted and are used at multiple positions.............if it is a case like Brian Hall, where a guy might play 3rd, LF, and Rf it would help him, as he was just a fair prospect, and would show versatility. Going from catcher to pitcher and back is a lot tougher on the player. What usually happens if the young man pitches well is that he becomes a pitcher/DH and does not get to catch very much. The reason is the coach wants to rest his arm in between starts, but if a kid is a real good catching prospect like Josh Bell, it won't help him be a better catcher.

Just an add on.....to the credit of the Auburn coaching staff, they now have Josh catching full time, as they know what a fine prospect he is behind the plate.