To an extent
. I used to be worried when I saw the 6'5 kids walking into showcases. I quickly realized a majority of them can't play. That said, if they can, there will be a line of schools.
What if your kid isn't a pitcher? We've been through this before with a pitcher son who wanted a HA and it worked out. My 2021 is a catcher and it seems the only folks getting recruited are pitchers? We keep telling my kid that it's a COVID crazy year, anyone with any insight on non pitching recruiting for 2021's?
@whoknewwhatwhen posted:What if your kid isn't a pitcher? We've been through this before with a pitcher son who wanted a HA and it worked out. My 2021 is a catcher and it seems the only folks getting recruited are pitchers? We keep telling my kid that it's a COVID crazy year, anyone with any insight on non pitching recruiting for 2021's?
Great question. My '22 is getting a bit of interest but in the 'need to see it live' and 'show me your test scores' phase (he's looking HA). I'd be very curious how the position player timing has shifted with '21s and '22s.
22’s I think are fine , timing is still in line. The ‘21 class is a complete mess. I’m just not seeing the available slots as I mentioned before. It’s almost like programs are “skipping” over the ‘21 positional players and just grabbing pitching at this point. It’s not everyplace but it sure is mirroring this in many places. Where they were going to bring in 2 MIF or OF or whatever , they now are doing not bringing in 1 or none and getting an experienced transfer in the portal. One other issue I’m hearing is the lack of direction regarding rosters/limits/% for 22.
I'm with Fmr coach now Dad.
My 2021 MIF/CF had serious interest from a Big 10 team and an AAC team. To a lesser extent, a Big 12 team. And yes, we learned what serious interest looks like and it doesn't look like. About a month ago, it felt like my son was really close to an offer from the AAC program and getting closer to the Big 10 team.
Due to travel ball this summer, my son was seen by a higher end JUCO out of KS (lots of great JUCO ball in the Jayhawk conference) and got offered after 1 day/2 games. Visited, got a very generous offer, and a month to decide. My son was the first position player they offered and 2nd overall 2021. It was clear he was "loved."
He's a smaller kid at 5'9" 160ish as of today, but every one of his measurables fall within the D1 ranges for MIF and CF and he's stricken by the bright lights that come with playing D1 ball. But he committed to the JUCO two weeks ago and every day it becomes clearer and clearer that he made the absolute right decision. His JUCO coach supports kids playing only 1 year of JUCO ball given they're ready to move on. The coach has an exemplary record with academics and with sending kids to D1 programs. So my son is going to take a 1-2 year detour to develop (and hopefully get taller!) and ready himself for shorter stint playing D1 ball.
Back to what Fmr Coach said. "I guess my theme here is if you have a ‘21 and you have an offer I’d take it , as long as the school is in the ball park of being a fit. I just don’t see the amount of slots available as most years. Especially for a position player. The NCAA took a huge dump on the ‘21 class and a lot of very good players are going to end up not playing past HS in many cases."
Yep. My take is that many schools are laying back on their 2021 classes because they can. They're already going to have massive numbers on campus this fall. if there is a class where you can afford to go lighter than usual, I think 2021 is it. You essentially have two 2020 classes this fall and then go heavier on 2022 if need be and you have time to do so. I am absolutely worried about many of my son's peers. I think many are holding out for sexier offers that simply aren't coming. It took my son some time to get there. For the longest time, his thought process was "I am good enough to play D1, so I WILL play D1." I think he'll ultimately end up right, but not straight out of high school. He's got another year of high school and then 1-2 years of JUCO to develop while the rest of the college baseball world figures out how to operate best in the Covid era. Find a good and safer spot to land. Don't waste time with a gamble this large.
PABaseball,
You've been around the block. In my earlier post in this thread, I suggested you strongly consider what your son has in his head and heart. For me, it starts there.
Based on your supplemental post, you provided additional information which is important beyond what is in his head and heart. You've seen P5 talent. You mentioned your 2021 son is "extremely raw" and has "no pitching instructor". The P5's expressed interest, and you've got mid-major talking offers. You know as well as I that interest is a "transcontinental flight" away from serious interest or offers. If a P5 coach needs access to a radar gun, I find it extremely hard to believe that he couldn't get his hands on one. This sounds to me like the P5 is trying to let your younger son down easy without pissing off his older brother. Based on where he is at right now (needs refinement & reps, needs coaching, needs to grow into his body) in a pandemic that has pushed talent down a level or two, don't you think it makes sense to listen very closely to those mid-major offers and the coaches connections to the baseball summer leagues? The mid-majors clearly want your son and he has some leverage. I'd listen very closely to what they have to say. You've been through this before and know when coaches are serious.
As always, JMO. Good luck!
@Fmr coach now Dad posted:22’s I think are fine , timing is still in line. The ‘21 class is a complete mess. I’m just not seeing the available slots as I mentioned before. It’s almost like programs are “skipping” over the ‘21 positional players and just grabbing pitching at this point. It’s not everyplace but it sure is mirroring this in many places. Where they were going to bring in 2 MIF or OF or whatever , they now are doing not bringing in 1 or none and getting an experienced transfer in the portal. One other issue I’m hearing is the lack of direction regarding rosters/limits/% for 22.
That's been my impression albeit with a small sample size (San Diego/Orange County baseball). Terrible situation for the '21s.
@fenwaysouth posted:PABaseball,
You've been around the block. In my earlier post in this thread, I suggested you strongly consider what your son has in his head and heart. For me, it starts there.
Based on your supplemental post, you provided additional information which is important beyond what is in his head and heart. You've seen P5 talent. You mentioned your 2021 son is "extremely raw" and has "no pitching instructor". The P5's expressed interest, and you've got mid-major talking offers. You know as well as I that interest is a "transcontinental flight" away from serious interest or offers. If a P5 coach needs access to a radar gun, I find it extremely hard to believe that he couldn't get his hands on one. This sounds to me like the P5 is trying to let your younger son down easy without pissing off his older brother. Based on where he is at right now (needs refinement & reps, needs coaching, needs to grow into his body) in a pandemic that has pushed talent down a level or two, don't you think it makes sense to listen very closely to those mid-major offers and the coaches connections to the baseball summer leagues? The mid-majors clearly want your son and he has some leverage. I'd listen very closely to what they have to say. You've been through this before and know when coaches are serious.
I hear you. I'm not counting any chickens either, I'm much more skeptical than I am optimistic, especially something as volatile and unpredictable as recruiting. I'm not ruling anything out or pushing the idea that P5s will come knocking. If he were to get 10 P5 offers but was really into one mid major, or even a lower end D1 he'd be free to take that offer as long as it made sense academically/financially. The clout behind "P5 Commit" wears off if you become P5 non traveler or P5 clipboard holder.
From the conversations he's had with the mid majors there are a bunch that have said come down for a visit, take a look around and we'll talk business.
From the conversations with the P5s it is we like what we see, can he be at this tournament on this date? Or what is the fall schedule looking like? Will he be in Ft. Meyers, NC, PBR, etc. The older brother's coach has texted the older one and said don't let him make a decision until we see him. So while I understand they haven't done squat as far as showing love, that isn't nothing.
He will not be ruling anything out. If anything the mid majors showing interest are better academically than most if not all of the P5s that have responded back. I know how big the difference is between interest and lets talk numbers. I think I was more curious as to how much leeway to give the bigger schools given there are actual extenuating circumstances.
This has also all happened very quickly. He was 82-83 in Feb during winter workouts and since starting to workout 2x a day during quarantine that number has spiked dramatically. The first video he made public/sent to people and all the responses. Also looking to see if in general it might be better to wait this one out or jump on whatever comes. I don't think he's ever really considered too strongly other than what he wants in a college. He just finished his sophomore year and is still waiting for SAT test sites to open up. Just a month ago there was not a single peep from anyone, I don't want him making a decision just because someone was the first to jump on his video - if that makes sense. So I guess the question is more how long to wait for schools as well as how long should we wait before getting serious with a few?
@PABaseball posted:The clout behind "P5 Commit" wears off if you become P5 non traveler or P5 clipboard holder.
Your point above is quite significant. A number of players chase the P5, commit and post their commitment, arrive to school,then are disappointment at playing time. Son had offer at "Big State U" which had much more visibility (NCAA appearances) than where he committed - a school which was more suited for his academic appetite, and was a place where he could compete and contribute as a freshman.
PABaseball,
Understood. Thanks for clarifying. I hope my thoughts are helping as I'm trying to be a sounding board. Responding to a couple points below in bold.
From the conversations he's had with the mid majors there are a bunch that have said come down for a visit, take a look around and we'll talk business. – Not sure what the pandemic recruiting rules are right now. I believe we are in a dead period. So, your son is limited just like everybody else. But, I think this is a tremendous opportunity to set up video or in person meeting dates in advance for when the dead period is lifted. This will be a "tell" if they are willing to schedule something ASAP that is a priority to them. Use travel coach or high school coach as a proxy if you have to. He’ll be ready to get in front of whomever is offering to meet. So, while athletic recruiting may be shut down, you can do your due diligence on the academic and financial aid fronts for the 2-3 schools that interest him the most today.
From the conversations with the P5s it is we like what we see, can he be at this tournament on this date? Or what is the fall schedule looking like? Will he be in Ft. Meyers, NC, PBR, etc. The older brother's coach has texted the older one and said don't let him make a decision until we see him. So while I understand they haven't done squat as far as showing love, that isn't nothing. – It isn’t nothing, but close to it. They sound like “tire kickers”. I work with some of the best sales people in the world. One of their tactics when they are the incumbent vendor and don’t have the cycles to chase down a smaller deal is to tell the customer to not make a decision until you talk to me. It saves them time so they can focus on bigger deals. My point is until they actually do something they are a distraction or time pushers.
He will not be ruling anything out. If anything the mid majors showing interest are better academically than most if not all of the P5s that have responded back. I know how big the difference is between interest and lets talk numbers. I think I was more curious as to how much leeway to give the bigger schools given there are actual extenuating circumstances. – Not ruling anything out for anybody showing interest or serious interest is the way to go. There were at least 2-3 schools that my oldest son was incredibly surprised with once he visited or starting talking to coaches and professors. The college my oldest son selected he knew very little about 2-3 weeks earlier. When he saw details on their engineering program and spoke to a professor that changed everything. He committed. My point is colleges that want you will bend over backwards.
This has also all happened very quickly. He was 82-83 in Feb during winter workouts and since starting to workout 2x a day during quarantine that number has spiked dramatically. The first video he made public/sent to people and all the responses. Also looking to see if in general it might be better to wait this one out or jump on whatever comes. I don't think he's ever really considered too strongly other than what he wants in a college. He just finished his sophomore year and is still waiting for SAT test sites to open up. Just a month ago there was not a single peep from anyone, I don't want him making a decision just because someone was the first to jump on his video - if that makes sense. So I guess the question is more how long to wait for schools as well as how long should we wait before getting serious with a few? – I understand your position and that is probably great for normal times. These are not normal times. I probably would not jump at the first opp either unless it was a dream school, and your son has clarified what he wants to get out of college academically. However, I may advise my son to strongly consider the best offer (from legit schools) after 2-4 offers because at that point you have a clearer view of his market worth in this crazy pandemic. If these P5s want your son’s services, I think they need to step up and demonstrate more than passing interest. You know as well I that coaches are on their best behavior in the recruiting phase. I would try to get serious with a few as soon as possible. This will drive up your market value and accelerate the recruiting time table. The rest will take care of itself.
Again, I hope this helps in some way. Good luck!
Great post above..... the real magic will be in deciding when a credible D1 or 2 offer isn’t going to happen and then what level you are willing to dip to, because yes there is a limit in my mind.It’s not an easy read by any means. Our plan is to play through sept 1 and then try to re-evaluate the entire situation and even then it may not be clear.
@fenwaysouth posted:Understood. Thanks for clarifying. I hope my thoughts are helping as I'm trying to be a sounding board...
Yes you have been very helpful. I think I have a decent baseline knowledge but I'm always all ears. This is why I posted, to see if there was something I was missing and just to get some outside opinions. A lot of people we know are talking how this is great news, but until roster spots are offered and numbers are thrown our way I won't be celebrating anything. I guess the next two weeks will be fairly important. It doesn't help being in a state with terrible restrictions right now, but I guess that also buys some more time. I think an announcement regarding the dead period will also help because the fall season is college camp heavy with Ft. Meyers and Jupiter in the mix as well.
FYI, heard from a college coach that NCAA may be extending the dead period through Fall (to keep a level playing field and the staff safe to work with their players) which would kill the camps as well.
Fingers crossed for Ft Meyers for the 22s and Jupiter for the 21s! That's where all the action really heated up and progressed for my 21 last fall. Do whatever you have to do to be there (both in you're a 22)!!!