HS season for a Soph vs Summer?

 "Or is being on the best possible summer team and doing well there in front of college scouts enough"

Looks like you answered your own question here.  Don't worry too much about the HS season, focus on the summer season

Thanks Lefthook.

Appreciate the note.

"How intently do Colleges look at Sophomore seasons?"

It depends on the need of the university and the talent of the player. Our SS just verbally committed to FSU as a sophmore... PG has him rated top 10 in the nation and top 2 in FL...

"Or is being on the best possible summer team and doing well there in front of college scouts enough?"

Yes...

Catcherdad,

Welcome to the world of HS ball. What you’re experiencing sounds pretty normal to me, and I’ll bet if you check, you’ll find out most of the starters went through much the same thing if they were underclassmen on the varsity. That’s just the way it is. Unless the underclassman is far superior, chances are the coach isn’t gonna bench an upperclassman who’d been there and paid his dues. If that happened regularly, how many players would devote themselves to putting up with it for 2 years or more?

I know everyone believes their little Babe Ruth should be starting because he’s the best player at his position on the team, but with any kind of luck, that coach is gonna be there long after most of his players are long gone, so he has a program to think about.

It sounds like your program is a lot like ours. Big school, great history, large roster. But the truth is, there is only so much playing time to spread around. Our team has 2 Jr catchers, both of whom could easily start on most HS teams. Unfortunately, one has caught for 608 batters, and the other for 40. It’s the coach’s call, and that’s just the way it is. Could he do better about getting both kids PT? Of course, but its his call.

Hello Bolts,

Thank you for your reply. Best of luck to the SS- great news!

He is ranked and will be seen by major / mid-major schools this summer, his summer coach spoke to a few schools this winter and spring & says if he does as well as last summer and fall he should get offers.

(He is a gem and the kind of coach you wish for your son!!)

He works out twice a week with the schools catching coach on blocking and transfers to stay as sharp as possible (as he is not getting game action) and catches bullpens in practice.

I recently heard of a school in the area with 4 catchers and a 30 man roster so it could be worse

Thanks Stats,

I have counted innings not batters

yes upperclassman rule the day here, absolutely.....

and

there might be 1-2 other older boys who might start if they were at a different school,

Had invites from schools to transfer/move, my son wants to stay here with friends.

Our son is late bday 15 years old so a young soph

(could be a freshman for sure,

that's another thread topic)

The senior is 18 and skill-wise it is close, each is better in certain areas

(not unexpected in 15 vs 18 yr old)

I will say some seniors and juniors have gotten (pissy) about it and had a blow-up with the coach,

while our son is upbeat despite the situation, stays 'rah-rah' and asks the coach how he can contribute.

He is a better man than me already! 

Finally, am sure many others are in the same boat. 

That is why I thought to post here, for the great advice I have read the last few weeks.

Thank you for your reply.

Adding my welcome and two cents here.

Agreeing with others, there's no question that playing on a highly competitive summer/fall team is potentially more significant. Because of the higher level of competition, his accomplishments will be more highly regarded, and the college coaches of interest to him are better able to direct their attention to recruiting after their season concludes.

Meanwhile, an exemplary work ethic and positive attitude should not only make him a better player; but, it should build recognition and loyalty from his high school coach. 

After all, who knows? Perhaps there will be a talented sophomore who challenges him for playing time when he's an upperclassman. If so, the loyalty that the high school coach seems to be directing toward the current upperclassman could be a welcome trait.

Best of luck to him!

Thank you Prepster.

Appreciate the wisdom. And you are likely correct re the future.

Yes, doing it again in front of coaches this summer will reap benefits,

he has an incredible work ethic and attitude which helps.

{when he catches

he often beats runners to 1b on ground balls (backing up)

he tries to beat them every time}

No one cares about HS baseball at the next level.  College coaches know that many HS coaches prefer to play upperclassmen and they have no problem with that philosophy ("their's not to reason why" to quote Tennyson - which may be a first on HSBBweb). College coaches are "hiring" a skill set that they see first hand over the summer.  Don't worry.  College coaches have learned the hard way that HS statistics lead to the wrong conclusions about players.  Just help your son prepare for the summer season which can be a long hot grind.

Evening Lefty,

Thank you for a classy reply.

Appreciate the information, that is the answer we were hoping for.

Have a good night.

My son is a year in front as a 2014 catcher.  In HS Baseball he has received a little attention, but there are only a few scouts at games if there is some pitcher they are interested in.  Occasionally in the playoffs someone comes up and says they are with such and such school and will be sending tape to coaches, but not often.  He did get on a good Summer team last year, but the focus by scouts last year was on pitching.  He did get on lists though, that has lead to contacts from a few really good schools this year, and I expect will lead to more in the coming months.  Main issue for him over this year was getting in shape, and getting better at all aspects of the game  Catcher is a demanding position and he must make pitchers comfortable by his play and demeanor, and he needs to have a good arm and stick.  That will show up with his play.  Only worry about what you can control, and the rest will follow.  By the way, I don't think batting average matters that much right now, (unless extremely high or low).  We have been told the swing and the approach at the plate is more important. 

Morning Aleebaba,

Best of luck to your son.

Thank you for your post.