A local academy is hosting a showcase with D1, D2, NAIA, and JUCO colleges. My son is a 2020 RHP in low 80's with good command of 4 pitches, about 10:1 on his K:BB's. He is still very baby faced but already 6'2 and 165 pounds. Is it a good idea to toss him into a showcase like that to let people know he is out there? Or hold off until we know better where he will wind up with his pitching?
It's 15 minutes from my house and $245 for a Pitcher Only.
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If the $245 isn't an issue, I'd say go ahead and do it. If he's in the low 80's as a soph with that size, he may get some early interest. I wish we could have done showcases 15 minutes from home 
Seems a little pricey for a P.O. Showcase.
The D1 is the only one who will really be looking at 2020 players this early
SanDiegoRealist posted:Seems a little pricey for a P.O. Showcase.
The D1 is the only one who will really be looking at 2020 players this early
Well that is the catch 22 isn't it.
If he projects D1, they are looking now, better get out there.
If he doesn't project D1, why showcase now, no one else is looking.
This could be a good first showcase experience, and an inexpensive one as well given there are no travel costs. And pitching in front of a bunch of colleges with out a lot of D1 attention could be a good way to start. He'll get feedback on his capabilities and it will be helpful to guide you with the next showcasing steps. Will they provide a written evaluation?
Make sure the showcase doesn't interfere with your son's planned arm shutdown or require him to throw immediately after a fall tournament.
Focus on a good off season strength, skill, arm care program. The sooner he develops the discipline for pre and post throwing arm care the better off he'll be. With his current size and velo sounds like he has potential.
Ideal time to address the importance of being a good student...his classroom performance will increase the number of college playing options.
Good luck
Agree with Buckeye. He has enough velo and projectability to show something. Site location is certainly right. Yes, if you are uncertain of level to target, this may provide some feedback. Being that it is a local academy and close to home, the schools in attendance are likely realistic high-probability targets. Yeah, sounds good. Of course, this will be just one point of reference as far as target level and it sounds like he is still early in physical development, so that can change going forward.
Just make sure that he is in pitching shape... not coming off a long break or injury, etc.
Cherokeeplayer posted:SanDiegoRealist posted:Seems a little pricey for a P.O. Showcase.
The D1 is the only one who will really be looking at 2020 players this early
Well that is the catch 22 isn't it.
If he projects D1, they are looking now, better get out there.
If he doesn't project D1, why showcase now, no one else is looking.
The "D1 recruits early" mantra is true but not all-encompassing... particularly with P's. A lot can happen in a year physically with mid-teens. If he doesn't get D1 interest now but picks up 5-6 MPH, grows 2" and gets stronger by this time next year, that could certainly change things. Not all that unusual.
Gov:
1. The post didn't say anything about a written evaluation, it did list many local colleges. Is a written write up typical?
2. Not sure what you mean by pre and post arm care. He doesn't ever say he hurts, and he stretches with a band prior to throwing. That's about it.
3. Grades are decent. Had a rocky start and ended with a 3.3 last year, this year is looking more like 3.5-3.75
Cabbagedad:
He has been taking pitching lessons weekly for 6 weeks. First time he really had a pitching instructor. Team playing in 3-4 tournaments this Fall, including this weekend. He goes to a performance facility that pretty much worships Cressey, they haven't said anything bad about his shoulder or arm. I think he's good to go.
cabbagedad posted:Cherokeeplayer posted:SanDiegoRealist posted:Seems a little pricey for a P.O. Showcase.
The D1 is the only one who will really be looking at 2020 players this early
Well that is the catch 22 isn't it.
If he projects D1, they are looking now, better get out there.
If he doesn't project D1, why showcase now, no one else is looking.
The "D1 recruits early" mantra is true but not all-encompassing... particularly with P's. A lot can happen in a year physically with mid-teens. If he doesn't get D1 interest now but picks up 5-6 MPH, grows 2" and gets stronger by this time next year, that could certainly change things. Not all that unusual.
Forgot to mention he turned 15 this month. He's a young 2020.
Cherokeeplayer posted:SanDiegoRealist posted:Seems a little pricey for a P.O. Showcase.
The D1 is the only one who will really be looking at 2020 players this early
Well that is the catch 22 isn't it.
If he projects D1, they are looking now, better get out there.
If he doesn't project D1, why showcase now, no one else is looking.
6'2 2020 throwing low 80's is projectable. Go get the cheap showcase experience before he goes to a bigger PBR or PG event. Great opportunity.
CherokeePlayer, whether you send your son to a showcase like this, or a college camp, a little investment up front to get him comfortable in those situations is worth it if you can afford it. Your son's profile probably guarantees he'll have a lot of interest, but getting on the field to perform/play when you know college coaches are there watching is an experience a player should have before full-on recruiting starts -- it helps them know what to expect and get some of the nervousness of the first time out of the way. Good luck to him!
Midwest Mom posted:CherokeePlayer, whether you send your son to a showcase like this, or a college camp, a little investment up front to get him comfortable in those situations is worth it if you can afford it. Your son's profile probably guarantees he'll have a lot of interest, but getting on the field to perform/play when you know college coaches are there watching is an experience a player should have before full-on recruiting starts -- it helps them know what to expect and get some of the nervousness of the first time out of the way. Good luck to him!
Excellent point. My son went to his first camp when he was in 8th grade at the Univ of Cinci. A teammate from his summer team went along. It was a true camp, not just a showcase....coaches on the field, training, etc. They were the only 2 8th graders there. We got there early....they were thrilled to be there...very nice college field on a nice campus. THEN....the big guys started walking in. Guys from all the big baseball schools in the state...with their school names on their shirts. My son and his friend were probably 4'8 and maybe 80 lbs at the time. I turned around and they were gone....lol. They were standing back against a wall having nothing to do with the older guys. Fortunately an assistant coach from U of KY took them aside once the camp started and pretty much stayed with them the rest of the day. He threw them right into the fire....both played SS during the IF drills....and actually held their own with the older guys. He came up to me afterwards and told me he always encourages younger kids to go to a camp/showcase early to get a feel for it so that they'll know what's coming when it comes time to really showcase themselves. My son still talks about that camp....
Agree with Buckey - I signed both of my boys up for a small local camp on a college campus when they were both freshman. My whole intent and logic behind it was letting them see what it was all about and getting them accustomed to the atmosphere at camps. If it didn't go well for them, no big deal. If it did go well for them, well that is just a bonus. I didn't want their first camp/showcase experience to be when it actually mattered.
That is money well spent your boy sounds like a gamer.
Buckeye 2015 posted:If the $245 isn't an issue, I'd say go ahead and do it. If he's in the low 80's as a soph with that size, he may get some early interest. I wish we could have done showcases 15 minutes from home
My son biked to a showcase. He didn't want to walk twenty-five miunutes.
It's about to be September. Has he been throwing? Is his arm in pitching shape. Or has he been pitching, his arm is fatigued and may not hit his top possible velocity? These are things to consider regarding fall showcases for pitchers
Cherokeeplayer posted:Gov:
1. The post didn't say anything about a written evaluation, it did list many local colleges. Is a written write up typical?
2. Not sure what you mean by pre and post arm care. He doesn't ever say he hurts, and he stretches with a band prior to throwing. That's about it.
3. Grades are decent. Had a rocky start and ended with a 3.3 last year, this year is looking more like 3.5-3.75
Cabbagedad:
He has been taking pitching lessons weekly for 6 weeks. First time he really had a pitching instructor. Team playing in 3-4 tournaments this Fall, including this weekend. He goes to a performance facility that pretty much worships Cressey, they haven't said anything bad about his shoulder or arm. I think he's good to go.
Cherokee - a lot of showcases and camps will provide a written eval, it's nice if they do. Sometimes the players have a brief moment to find out their velo, but it's nice to hear about the players mechanics and observations of pitches (quality, shape, "with effort" etc..) Also find out exactly what colleges and learn about the coaches that will be there... any actual pitching coaches attending... sometimes good to read up about coaches and their programs.
Pre and post arm care, meant pre and post throwing arm care... before he pitches the type of warm up he does, before going into actual stretches, then after he throws (bull pen or game) making sure he does some sort of post throwing routine. All the serious throwing instructors are dialed into this.... preventing injury stuff... son is a SS and secondary pitcher and does his pre and post throwing arm care religiously resulting in a healthy enduring strong arm.
Regarding eval at showcases, this is a great opportunity for your player to start reaching out to coaches. Find out what schools will be there and send emails to the coaches. Hi coach I plan to attend the xyz showcase if you want to look out for me. Here is my personal info.... Some will respond some won't. Afterwards you can contact those coaches for some honest feedback, constructive criticism, etc. The level of coaches who respond will also give you an idea where your player at. You will also start getting invites to their camps.
RJM posted:It's about to be September. Has he been throwing? Is his arm in pitching shape. Or has he been pitching, his arm is fatigued and may not hit his top possible velocity? These are things to consider regarding fall showcases for pitchers
I think he was fatigued in July during the 14u BCS, he was down a good 5mph. He took a month off and then for the last 6 weeks he has been doing a pitching lesson on Wednesdays. He says he feels good, instructor says he looks good.
I found the large ad with more words, it says:
Players will participate in a clinic styled workout with college coaches, showcase in front of them later, and receive player feedback from an assigned college coach.
They also list 5 out of state schools that closely border our state. Is that normal? PM me if you want the full list of colleges, I don't feel right listing them all on here.
Cherokeeplayer posted:I found the large ad with more words, it says:
Players will participate in a clinic styled workout with college coaches, showcase in front of them later, and receive player feedback from an assigned college coach.
They also list 5 out of state schools that closely border our state. Is that normal? PM me if you want the full list of colleges, I don't feel right listing them all on here.
Yes, that would be normal. Keep in mind that there are many "neighboring state" programs that offer discounted tuition.
Since the event is advertised with schools listed, I don't see why it would be a problem to list colleges if you felt you wanted to for any reason.
Not that you need more encouragement, but this sounds like a great way to begin. Young 2020, projectable size, arm feels good, on a pitching program that can accommodate the showcase, reasonably priced (trust us on that one!), individual attention and evaluation, close to home, several schools present....what's not to like?
