Impact of Not Starting until Sr on Recruiting

It's not likely to be a problem but could result in additional late interest.  Most college exposure comes from the highly visible summer programs and the right showcases, which you seem to have covered.  A large successful HS can draw some additional college interest and there could be additional buzz there with "wait 'til you see the kid we have coming up NEXT year" comments.  Usually, a HS coach of such a program knows how to handle things properly with college inquiries on a player not starting, provided that player has the tools, has good work ethic and attitude and does not have problem parents. 

I would say no impact.  Coaches recruit what they see - not resumes.

A summer team is much more likely to be scouted by a college coach than a high school game because the hs/college seasons overlap.  The showcase is guaranteed to provide exposure to them.

Depending on the situation, there are some kids sitting as juniors that may be many times better than kids who have been starting for several years at some other program.  At a large school, this situation can occur often where kids simply have to wait their turn until they are seniors.

I remember my son's experience vividly.  We would be playing games up here on the shores of Lake Erie in April with snow flakes flying.  I don't recall one coach ever flying up from a warm southern location to watch one of those painful weather games that had no business being played.  On the other hand, he wanted to play in the south.  The only way to achieve that was to get exposure to southern coaches when they are available.  Your choices are college camps, showcases, and summer tournaments that are scouted by college coaches.  The high school season does not impact any of that.    

Starting in High School is not a prerequisite to play college baseball. 

I think you'll find most college coaches will look at what is in front of them (with their eyes, stop watches, and radar guns) rather than rely on high school stats or playing time numbers.  In my oldest son's experience, his summer travel team, showcase & camp selection, and academics had the most influence on the college coaches that offered him.  

Recruited = passion + skill + exposure + persistence + luck

At my youngest son's high school there will be varsity players committed to D3 schools that may not start because of the starting talent depth.  He is playing JV this year, but he certainly sees the talent around him and in front of him.  It definetly drives the kids harder to perform in practice at both the JV nad Varsity level.  As a high school coach, it is a good problem to have. 

Good luck

A kid I used to coach as a youth was a longtime teammate of Midlo Son.  He got stuck behind a stud at his position and only got to play regularly as a senior.  He caught the eye of a Maryland assistant coach at a playoff game in late May and became a recruited walk-on. 

Last year he led the Terps in batting.

It's harder, but it can happen. 

I will say, it's more likely if you play at a program known for being loaded.  That way, you never have to answer questions about why you didn't play right away.

Also, in our area, most D3 recruiting doesn't really get rolling until senior year anyway, so there are all sorts of opportunities at that level.  More and more D1's finish their classes in the fall, so sometimes it can be hard to find the right opportunity.  But there are always going to be openings late, even at the D1 level.  Opportunities at D2, D3, NAIA and JuCo's can be there even into August after graduation.

Our biggest surprise in the recruiting process was how little HS baseball matters at all.  Coaches just don't care.  My son has an old teammate who is a freshman starter in the Ivy League but didn't start in HS until he was a senior.  On top of that this HS is primarily known as a lacrosse school.  My own son had his best numbers in HS as a sophomore but nobody cared either positively or negatively.  It never came up.

One program who is highly recruiting my 2014 never asked a peep about HS.  Not stats, accolades, BAVG, fielding %, etc. He just saw him play at that was enough. 

I once estimated that high school accounted for approximately 20% of my son's overall scholastic baseball experience (time and attention devoted to baseball); despite the fact that he was a varsity starter as a high school freshman. For the reasons cited earlier here, the proportion of scouting and recruiting that took place in the summer and fall was probably even higher than the overall estimate of 80%.

Bum, Jr. didn't play varsity until his junior season.  By the end of that season, he was committed to a D1 university.

College coaches don't care about whether your son played varsity as a freshman or sophomore, or even as a junior.  But they DO need to know your son's name.  Attend camps, showcases, scout teams, and work harder than everyone else to develop his present ability.

I can speak from experience on this topic.  My son played for large 5a school in Texas.  He had two senior catchers in front of him, who both went on to sign college scholarships.  My son ended up playing JV baseball his junior year as opposed to sitting on the bench on varsity.  My son signed during the early signing period in November with a very strong Division 2 school in Arkansas.  Myson went on to start his senior year and was 1st team all-district at catcher.

During the recruiting process, the coaches at his college did not care that he had not played varsity his junior year and were only concerned with what they saw from him during his time in front of them during their prospect camp and another private workout he had with them prior to the prospect camp.  They did not care about his stats, summer team or anything and based their judgement of him solely on what they saw him do while in front of them.

Plus, he had solid grades which was very important to them because he was stackable and his academic money did not count against the baseball dollars they had available.  His academic scholarship was obviously larger than his baseball scholarship, but the total combined equaled to about 35% of his tuition.

So, it is truly not a big deal or a real problem as long as they get to see him and know him.

Two kids in my area transferred to the top high school baseball school in our county.

Player 1 is a 1B/DH big power hitter. Started as a freshman on the j.v. team and got moved up to varsity at his original high school and transferred prior to his sophomore year. At the top school, he went back to j.v. as a sophomore where he stayed all season. That summer, he attended some showcases and got positive attention from D1's. In h.s. as a junior, he was a third string 1B, part-time DH, and occasional pinch hitter. Will split time this year as a senior at 1B, and when not playing 1B will probably split time at DH. The team he is on is loaded with hitters and fielders. He will play in college somewhere despite never being a full-time starter on his high school team.

Player 2 transferred to the same top school prior to freshman year. Started on the j.v. and moved to varsity as a sophomore. Split time between OF and some DH, sometimes didn't play. Plays on a showcase team and has verbally committed to a D1. Probably would have been in a similar role this season at the top h.s. Has transferred back to the school he was originally to attend and is starting in the OF and leadoff.

Based on what I've seen personally, and what is written here, for some players the high school season is basically spring training for showcase.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond.  As you can tell we are early in the journey and your experience and perspectives have/will help us navigate the long road. 

Totally agree with the comments.  In my opinion, does not matter one bit.  Get on a strong and visible summer program where coaches can see you pitch or hit against other good players that are college-bound.  Work hard...GET IN SHAPE...lay it out there in the summer.  Good luck.

the reason most college coaches appear to not care abou highschool isbecause they very rarely can attendahs game during  the  spring season.   resumes can be used to stir up initial interest in the player  trust me on this as I  have seen it happen many times

Stats are online now so there's no need to ask.  I'm not sure not being asked is a good indication that HS doesn't matter.

keep in mind that college coaches know the baseball strength and academic strength of high schools----they take all that into consideration

I would also say no impact. I've seen the inverse affect recruiting, though. Good player on top summer team, but from small school with weak program overlooked in Florida, no D-1 offers until an out of state offer late fall of Sr. year. Goes on to be D-1 All-American and MLB by 24.....starting on Team USA.

Just stumbled across this board.  Some great advice in this thread.  You guys know your stuff!