How to Stand Out at a Showcase

All the showcases I've been to just about every player their is very serious and looks really uptight. I think you can stand out by just relaxing and having fun. Play hard, but laugh a little bit and enjoy yourself. Just my 2 cents.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:

What are some of the other ways to stand out?

I am thinking that this means getting noticed, and we all know that there are certain obvious things ( size, velo, HR against good pitching) but what about the things that are not so obvious?

As stated my son helped coach a PG team. His job was to speak with the pitchers about his experience and to point out the things they should do and not do and make corrections if he saw something that wasn't good stuff. I don't know what he said or did, but PG informed me he must have done a good job as one of the pitchers got mega attention from UNC.
I never asked son what he spoke to them about, but I do know that he stressed the fact that how important it was to TAKE advantage when you are up at bat or on the mound, not be nervous and related his PG experiences. This might mean, being patient at the plate (a good at bat) and presenting yourself the way a pitcher should (stand up straight, show no emotion after a hit, etc.), in other words good body language also is very, very important for everyone. These are the things that coaches also look for, not every coach, scout is going to see you strike out a player or hit a home run.

One parent pointed out to me that the kids really enjoyed the talks in the dugout with a former college and now pro player.

This might be a thing that PG might want to pursue, having college players and young drafted milb players who have done the tourney speak with players, like a question and answer time during the 4-5 days, how their performances affected their future, etc. I also know that Hosmer and Melville where there too, last year I met Marcus Lemon, so you know the guys are out there. I think that young players can relate to those closer in age and have been there and done that. This would provide great inspiration for making some really good baseball better than it already is.

JMO.

Just one more thing, many years ago an unknown pitcher came in to relieve son and in front of many scouts and one particular college coach (former UF pitching coach), they all saw a great performance. The player was given a shot asap to go to play at UF by teh coach, a Florida player that he didn't know existed. That player also got first team honors on BA the first year he pitched in college.
That player obviously took every advantage of his opportunity.

Another time when son was pitching on his summer travel team, the HC and recruiting coach from Clemson were there (he was already committed, it was his summer before college). It was at Georgia Tech, they had come down to see son pitch and say hello. In relief came a player (who just began pitching his junior year) had no college commitment, late summer. He was offered a scholarship to Clemson that weekend, but he never made it because he was the 45th draft pick a year later.
Both players relatively unknown with skills still untapped and unknown, just knew the right people were watching and took full advantage to show off their stuff.

Do players often have great performances, get opportunities and don't work out in college (or as pros), absolutely, that's baseball.

wear a uniform like the Dirtbags Team wore in Jupiter this year!!!!!!!

I can tell you something from personal experience with my son, something that literally determined the course of his college career, and had nothing to do with the usual measures of performance at a showcase.

It was in a game at the Stanford Camp. Like a lot of showcase set-ups, when a batter walks at the Stanford Camp, they reset the count, the batter stays put, and another runner takes the base. Typically, a player who was not in the game at the time would stand in the first base coach box, and be ready to take the base when a BB occurred.

My son was not in the game, so he grabbed the first base coach box and got ready to run. Now, he's a catcher - not a fast runner, but a good baserunner. A batter walks, so my son takes the base. A couple batters later and he scores, looks over at the first base box, and nobody was in it. So he ran up the line and took it again. Another BB, and he's running the bases again.

For the two innings before his time to catch in the game, he essentially appointed himself the designated runner, and the rest of the guys on the team seemed happy to allow him to do it. I think he ran the bases five times, and by the end of it, was covered head to toe in dirt.

A week or so later, on July 1st, he gets a call from a Duke coach who was watching the game. He specifically mentioned that my son caught his eye because of his energy, the fact that he took the opportunity to run the bases. That was what made him look at him more closely.

And next week he'll sign his Letter with Duke.

You never know what will catch someone's eye. It isn't always about the most common measures of performance on the field - let's face it: baseball is a game of failure and showcases are abbreviated opportunities to perform.

Coaches understand this. They are looking for intangibles, glimpses into the players' psyches. They are trying to assemble winning teams, and they know how important hustle and work ethic is to winning.

quote:

Is it possible that by out-hustling every kid in attendence that a participant can stand out? Would this be enough to get a college coach to contact a player? For example, can a kid who is decent or average in some or most of the five tools get college coaches or scouts to notice by having a plus attitude?

The one thing in addition to talent that stands out everytime I see it...

The guys who are alert and look like they love the game more than anything else. Sometimes these types will cause me to glue in on them even if there tools are less spectacular than others.

Example...

Sitting behind homeplate in California this year. Foul ball back to the screen. The on deck hitter had for some reason walked into the dugout. The ball laid at the backstop for a second when a kid jumps out of the dugout and runs to pick the ball up. Then he disappears back in to the dugout.

Something about this really impressed me. Guess you had to be there to understand. I started to concentrate on that kid and found out he is exactly the kind of player I would want if I were still a college coach. Also noticed that his skills were much better than the numbers might look like.

He is a real player and a good one. He is going to have a great career in college. I'm never going to forget his name. Probably would have noticed him anyway, but it was just a little effort and his being alert that "first" caught my eye.

BTW, He is currently ranked as one of the top 100 2010 players on pgcrosschecker.

The real question is what can you do beyond your best on the field to help make the most out of a showcase experience.

One thing that I taught my son from the beginning is to introduce himself to coaches, umpires and those that run an event. Additionally, when the event is over, go back, shake their hand and say thank you.

Inevitably, these events have a "coach" in the dug out that generally runs the action on the field. Introduce yourself, let him know a little bit about you, your strengths, weaknesses and what you are trying to accomplish. Ask him for his help, many will make a point of giving pointers and direction. Listen to them and make the most out of the experience.

These dugout "coaches" are recruiters themselves. They talk with those that are at each event. If you can make an impression as a person that is "coachable" it will be noticed.

Also, when a kid is approached by a coach, make sure that he introduces himself, gets the coaches name and speaks directly to him. Additionally, coaches send notes to recruits, recruits need to send notes to coaches. A well written, "thanks for you help" can go along way in making a postive impression.

I consider myself an expert at this topic. I spend every summer and fall evaluating players at showcase events. In order to stand out at a showcase you have to separate yourself from the crowd. The obvious ways to do that are throw harder, hit it harder and more consistently , run faster , field it better. But there are other ways to stand out and get noticed for the right reasons. You can shag during bp with a purpose. Get a read and jump on each fly ball and run it down. Show that you love being on the field and your taking every opportunity to show someone that you can play and love to play. You can hustle from one station to the next while the other guys are walking. You can step up and be the first guy to do something when the coaches need something done. You will have to have some tools. But coaches will like those tools alot better and will find reasons to like you instead of reasons not to like you.

The fact is coaches want guys that show they love the game and are excited about being on the field. If you can play a bit you will excite them. They will want to know who you are. Wear your uniform like your going for a job interview. Wear it with respect for the game. Carry yourself with respect for the game. I always look to see who is going to jump up off the bench and run down the foul ball down the line before the coach has to say something. Who is going to step up and grab a batting helmet and want to run for the catcher or pitcher. The guy that is always looking for an opportunity.

You will find a lot of outstanding players just looking for these type of guys. Their tools may not separate them. But the way they go about their business does and will. They are hungry ball players. They will only get better. And they will be willing to do whatever it takes. They do stand out.

I know another thing that coaches watch, interaction with their teammates in the dugout, whether it's with an established team you have been playing with or if the players just hooked up for the weekend.

One more thing for pitchers, coaches like to see how you work. Get the ball, throw the ball, get it back, throw it back, etc. This shows confidance and that you have figured out how to mess up the hitters timing.

Of course the hitter has a chance to slow the pitcher down a bit, and they like that too!

We had a young lad at one of our showcases a few years back--not a great talent but a solid player---coaches in the press box with me noticed how he ran in and out of the dugout every inning---he never stopped running

Another aspect that will stand out is GOOD ACADEMICS

If you want to catch my eye, regardless of your tools...show me ENERGY.

rbinaz,

I'm with you. Play with energy and respect the game.

I'm a bit old fashioned but,

I tend to look for guys who look like ball players.
Wear your hat right, your pants right and keep it tucked in.. And of course GETTER DONE!

I think the original poster was asking something different. I think he was asking about secondary baseball skills that are seen by scouts.

Like footwork on grounders, or catch to release times on gounders or on double plays. Or backing up plays before they become overthrows. And in pitching, I would expect they might see balance in mechanics or good arm speed or repeateable motion. Or in batting do they look for compact short swings over long, but powerful swings. I don't know the answers to these questions, but I think the scouts are using these kind of obsevations to project a player.

I think we all know that guys that develop early and are at full size and have skills to go with it will be noticed. But how does the thin, late bloomer, that started shaving at 16 or 17 get noticed?

quote:

All the showcases I've been to just about every player their is very serious and looks really uptight. I think you can stand out by just relaxing and having fun. Play hard, but laugh a little bit and enjoy yourself. Just my 2 cents.

I like this, IowaPlayer5. I have no experience at all - 2B has his first showcases in December. But I think it has to be important for a player to be himself. Correct me please if I'm wrong, but my guess is that Rob Kremer's son did what he did because that's just what he does. He most likely wasn't trying to impress anyone, he was just being himself and having fun. Probably the same as the player that PG saw pick up the ball. They didn't plan it to impress anyone - that's just who they are. And then if the kid has some talent, being relaxed and confident just makes them that much better. He's already serious enough, so my advice to 2B is going to be relax, have fun, be yourself.

I like what Blprkfrnks said too, about footwork, quick release on a DP, etc., I'll add fluidity, and I do think those things get noticed. But that stuff has to be there before the showcase. If a player is relaxed and focused, those things will look even better. At least I hope so.

We have had several MLB scouts at my sons JC this fall. I have heard them talking and one thing I have heard over and over is if the player is ready for whats going to happen next. Can they keep up with the speed of the game. The speed picks up every level, until some kids can not pick up the game. We were playing a team that day that couldnt keep up, the more we pressed the worse they got. The scouts made a comment. "these boys (on other team) are not ready for the pace of the college game". So play hard, know where to throw the ball at all times, not just routing plays , but if your getting a cut off from the OF, hopefully guys are talking to you, its not enough to cut the ball of from the OF, you have to be ready to gun the guy out at home if hes running and all in one quick movement. Speed of the game, they look at that.

When your kid goes to a showcase the things that are being looked for first and foremost are tools. Tools that will play at the next level.

Arm strength , fielding ability , speed , ability to make consistent hard contact , power. This is what every college coach is looking at first. If you display outstanding tools then they will bore in on you closer and look at your make up.

A player that does not have a tool or tools that really makes him stand out, can stand out by doing the things I mentioned above. He must have a certain level of ability or he is just a great kid with no tools. That will not get you an opportunity at the next level. There are alot of great kids that can not play past hs.

When a college coach is looking at fielding ability what he is looking at is the approach to the ball. Does he play through the baseball or to it. Does he have soft hands a good transfer and a quick arm? Does he have adequate arm stength? Does he have good feet? When evaluating hitters does he have a short compact stroke that allows him to consistently barrell the baseball? Does he have batspeed? Or is he long and a swing and miss guy? Does he have some power? All of these things are what college coaches are already looking for in a player.

You do not have to have outstanding stand out tools to get noticed. If you play the game the right way and bring the intangibles to the table. But you do have to have some tools.

The speed of the game steps up when all the players on the field have tools that allow the game to speed up. If you do not have the tools that allow you to play at the speed of the game you will not be there or you will not be there for long. Its the reason coaches look for the tools needed to play at this level.

Tools are very important when being evaluated by college coaches at a showcase. The players with the arm strength , footwork , ability to field , defend , hit , run will garner the attention. But a player can get noticed without having the best tools. Getting noticed for being a good fielder means that. Proper approach to the baseball , proper release on all different types of plays , good arm strength , accurate arm , good feet etc etc.

A coach can teach you some things. They can not teach you tools. If they could they wouldnt need showcase events to id the kids that have them.

How to stand out at a showcase?

Wear your coolest necklaces and make sure your hat isn't on quite right. Maybe you can have your hair stick out all over. Wear your pants so that they hang below your hips. Make sure everyone knows, "it's all about you."

Don't hustle in and out of the dugout. Be the last one on and off the field, and take it slowly. Make sure everyone has a chance to know that you are the special one, and to take a long look.

When you make an out, curse, throw your bat and maybe your helmet, too. Cursing shows that you are a big-time competitor, mature beyond your years, lots of fire in the belly. Also, that you very rarely make outs and thus, you have a right to be angry because making outs is so out of character for you. (Same rules generally apply in the unlikely event of your making a fielding mistake.)

If a teammate makes an error, roll your eyes and loll your head from side to side. If you are pitching, add an angry glare and maybe shout a belittling comment to the offending player. This shows your true leadership capabilities; you are the kind of guy everyone wants on their team, the type who does not tolerate mistakes (in others).

In the outfield, forget about cutoff men. Show 'em the cannon! All the way home on the fly. Maybe even to the backstop.

I could go on, but ...

What did you say?

Oh, you meant you wanted to stand out in a GOOD WAY?

Funny, I see so many guys doing it this way, I figured someone somewhere must be teaching it to them.

Midlo,

Hilarious, and all too true.
let's not forget some of the other intangibles - like yelling at Mom to get more Gatorade, or talking to girlfiend through back of dugout. Then there are the advanced skills such as getting picked-off base without a slide, missing hit-and-run sign, staring at umpire after called strike three....
Sorry, didn't mean to start a new thread.

Very funny.

I liked Coach May's advice. Dads can't "fix" everything. Your son can't stand out if he has no skills. Thank God, being a great kid has other rewards though.

I know Midlo and as usual, he cracks me up!

Ways to get noticed:

+ side
always hustle on and off the field
watch for opportunities to take the "extra" base
"Look" like a baseball player
Always be respectful of the umps, coaches and teammates
Get to the right backup position for every play

- side
don't run out groundball/fly ball outs
wear your hat sideways (see above)
stare down the umpire (shockingly I have seen this at showcases!!!)

One area I WISH players could stand out at a showcase: BUNTING

I think it is about the only aspect of baseball that coaches never get the opportunity to truly evaluate in SHOWCASES (yes, I know that bunting is/can be done in WWBA events and the like, but guys don't bunt in PG showcases)

My son is a freshmen at a DI school right now. During fall ball, he was recognized as being the best bunter on his team. And he is expected to use this skill come spring in game situations (sac or 1b, as he does have good speed). This just got me thinking.......why isn't this aspect of the game scrutinzed in the evaluation process (at least in showcases)?

jbbaseball,

I agree somewhat, but...

Actually we have seen some bunting at our showcases. Obviously it is only used to get a base hit, mostly to show off speed.

Bunting is very important in the game of baseball. Having a hitter at a showcase lay down a sac bunt just doesn't make sense. Bunting is used to win games, showcase games are different. Of course, I'm sure you already know that.

Hitting ability is what's most important to scouts and college recruiters.

Unless someone is a serious speedster, they will not create a lot of scouting or recruiting interest by being a good bunter. Bunting is normally wasting an AB or an opportunity to show hitting ability in a showcase event. Then once with a team (college, high school, etc) the ability to bunt can be extremely important and make a big difference.

PG Staff-
You obviously have been to many more showcases than myself.
My son attended a total of 5 PG Showcase events (+ 2 WWBA events). He attended 2 other showcases.

At the showcases I attended (I only missed 1), I did not witness a bunt.

Question, how much time do you think it would add to your showcases if you had each hitter bunt 2-3 balls during their BP session? Would it be worthwhile in that part of the showcase?

Example for Bunting in Showcase Game situations


A few years back we had a outfielder with extra base power and 6.8 foot speed

The at bat after a thundering triple he dropped a bunt down thew third base line for a base hit

The point is that the bunt was part of his arsenal

The bunt can be a weapon in the right situations