Does anyone have any opinions on difficulty of getting in and quality of school for Belmont Hill, Dexter, and Thayer Academy?
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Don't take this wrong. It's honesty time ...
What makes you think you can play at Belmont Hill? They're perennial ISL baseball powerhouse. They recruit players. Are they recruiting you? If you're not being recruited by BH your chances of playing are about as good as walking on at college in the future.
Your goal is to play D1? Why Thayer? Only two players from Thayer are playing mid major D1.
I know Dexter was undefeated last year. But I don't know much about them.
Is your parents willingness to pay for private school based on having the potential to play D1 ball? Or is it academics? How are the academics at your high school? How will you parents feel if they spend the money and you end up playing D3?
Keep in mind the players from these programs who do play college ball at whatever level are probably getting there through their summer teams.
Given the schools you've mentioned why are you considering St Johns Prep?
Do you know how many players from MA go D1 each year? How do you match up with these players?
I appreciate your input but I will have to respectfully disagree with a lot of what you are saying. I pmed you about the BH information because that is personal. In terms of Thayer I am not sure where you got there being only 2 d1 players in the history of the program. There are currently 3 D1 players playing in college as of now so I am sure there are many more players that have played d1. Also, their baseball program is definitely rising. A 14-7 record is pretty respectable considering their tough ISL schedule. I am going for academics as well. My current school is good but these types of schools are very good. I know that my parents will be proud whether I ended up going to the big leagues or for whatever reason don't even end up playing in college. I have a general idea of my competition and know that I can compete with the best in my age group. However, I do know that I have a lot of work to do.
Thayer lists two current D1s on their website updated in September.
Why aren't you having this discussion with your travel coaching staff? They know your ability and potential. They know the high school playing field.
Do you understand you're far more likely to improve with your travel team if it's part of a facility? Your travel team is far more likely to get the right college people watching you. College coaches don't have much free time in the spring. They're more likely to go watch a stud.
BaseballComesThird:
I don't have an opinion of the quality of school or difficulty of getting in. This might not be the best website for getting answers to those type of questions. http://talk.collegeconfidentia...p-school-admissions/ might work.
In any event, no one on this website -- with the possible exception of you -- has any idea whether you could play baseball at these schools.
P.S. -- Just out of curiosity, I looked up Belmont Hill's Maxpreps national ranking for the past five years: #795, #3539, #1772, #1286, and #1597.
I totally agree with you 2019dad. Thanks for the advice. To RJM thank you as well. I have had these discussions with my old travel coach. He said he could see me at mid major d1s. However, I have just joined a new club so we have not gotten to that yet.
I feel like you need to be very careful BCT here. These are fine schools, and as I have mentioned previously, you need to make sure you love these schools WITHOUT baseball (no different from when considering college).
You have previously written: "I'm a 2020 player who is 5'8 and 140 LBS. I'm projected to be 5'10. I run a 7.4 60, throw low 70's from the outfield, and pitch low to mid 70's from the mound. My exit velocity is 77-79 MPH."
Yes these numbers can and will improve as you add strength. However, we all see 2020 studs committing already (and even 2021 if you reclassify). These measurables have to improve, or I do not see how any coach can be telling you that they see you at a mid major D1 school, or even playing varsity on a competitive program. I'm sorry to sound harsh, but right now, you are not fast enough, do not throw hard enough and do not have a high enough exit velo. It does not mean you won't get there as all of these can and will improve, obviously. I can see you are determined to improve! But at the present time, these numbers do not put you close to mid major D1 levels, nor competitive D3 levels. Therefore to be making decisions like repeating a grade or switching schools to improve your recruiting chances is really hard for some of us here to digest. You need to get an unbiased opinion about where you stand. If you are truly on one of the top New England travel teams, then this means those coaches saw your projectability, or were impressed with you at their tryouts in other ways. Having an unbiased view (not from a travel coach your parents are paying) of where you stand can help inform your decision.
And it does not matter how many D1 players a school has right now, as the HS probably has very little to do with the recruiting process as several of us have said, the travel program and summers will matter more.
I know I have a ways to go but I feel like this chart says a lot in terms of my pitching. If the average d2 LHP throws 82 I am only around 7 miles away from that. I weigh 140 gaining 40 pounds would certainly lead to velocity increases along with strength and mechanics. I understand what you are saying because I am not there yet. However, I feel I am pretty close. I believe in this off-season alone, I can get much closer to my goal.
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Oh wow -- I would not put so much faith in that chart! It seems very off to me, personally based on our experiences. If you are a LHP...I have a LHP....
Very few LHP under 80 these days get looked at. By anyone. Mid 80's isn't even D1, even with several pitches and good stuff. JMHO.
A 7.5 sixty is in the top 60% for 2021's in 2017 according to Perfect Game, so if he does reclassify I'd say he is well on his way in terms of speed as he's already at 7.4 and will certainly improve over the next 3-4 years with hard work.
84 mph exit Velo is in the top 90% among 2021's, so he's getting close there too
How old is that chart? Don't confuse cruising speed with max speed. High school age travel kids are now being told they have to hit 90 to get an offer. A D2 pitcher throwing 82 better have incredible control and demand. 82 is typical D3 speed. To be honest I'm thinking the people telling you D1 is possible with development are looking to make a bunch money off your parents.
You should be looking to become the best high school age player you can be. Then, accept what is the best level you can play beyond high school. I'm guessing it will be D3. You're going to have size working against you if you're projected to be 5'10".
Good luck!
I posted this about a year ago. It was for RHP, but I would assume at these schools lefties could be 2-3 mph slower:
3and2Fastball posted:A 7.5 sixty is in the top 60% for 2021's in 2017 according to Perfect Game, so if he does reclassify I'd say he is well on his way in terms of speed as he's already at 7.4 and will certainly improve over the next 3-4 years with hard work.
84 mph exit Velo is in the top 90% among 2021's, so he's getting close there too
This discounts a couple of things -
1) Those percentages are of 2021's that have gone through a PG showcase. I would bet the majority of players of that age have yet to do a PG showcase.
2) The other 2021's will be improving as well. Some less, some more - but just saying that hard work will get you ahead discounts the fact that there are other players out there working just as hard. It also should be considered that he is a 2020, and has had the additional year of physical growth that the 2021's have not had. What happens when they go through the growth he has already had?
It's not to say the OP couldn't go on to be a successful player at a higher level, it happens. Just at this point the numbers don't project to a D1 prospect. Moving schools just to increase chances of playing in college doesn't seem to be a decision that will show benefit. Moving schools to have a better academic experience on the other hand may be a good move. If that is the case, the focus should be on which schools provide the best academic fit - and after that baseball can be a secondary factor.
I would say that a 15 year old running a 7.5 is on pace to being fast enough to be a D1.... With the understanding that he'll need to keep improving and keep getting faster. He only weighs 140 pounds. His strength & speed will increase plenty with muscle gain.
3and2Fastball posted:I would say that a 15 year old running a 7.5 is on pace to being fast enough to be a D1.... With the understanding that he'll need to keep improving and keep getting faster. He only weighs 140 pounds. His strength & speed will increase plenty with muscle gain.
There's more to the numbers than age. He's 5'8 projected to grow to 5'10". That's rounding off growth not significant growth and physical development. A lot of kids his age are about to experience significant growth and physical development.
The focus should be on becoming the best player he can be and see where it takes him. I'm betting it's not D1. But it doesn't mean he can't have a quality baseball experience at D3. Tufts, Wheaton (MA), Babson, UMass Boston and UMass Dartmouth are all quality D3 programs without leaving the state. These five schools cover the range of academic ability.
I appreciate the input. I respect what you have to say but I will not let your word be the final word in my studies or baseball. I know where I stand but I will use your opinion as motivation not criticism. I will not be satisfied with D3 until it is clear that D3 is my level. I have nothing against D3 but why limit yourself to that as a sophmore?
RJM posted:3and2Fastball posted:I would say that a 15 year old running a 7.5 is on pace to being fast enough to be a D1.... With the understanding that he'll need to keep improving and keep getting faster. He only weighs 140 pounds. His strength & speed will increase plenty with muscle gain.
There's more to the numbers than age. He's 5'8 projected to grow to 5'10". That's rounding off growth not significant growth and physical development. A lot of kids his age are about to experience significant growth and physical development.
The focus should be on becoming the best player he can be and see where it takes him. I'm betting it's not D1. But it doesn't mean he can't have a quality baseball experience at D3. Tufts, Wheaton (MA), Babson, UMass Boston and UMass Dartmouth are all quality D3 programs without leaving the state. These five schools cover the range of academic ability.
Agreed 100% that the focus should be on becoming the best player he can be and see where it takes him. Why do we need to bet one way or the other on where a 15 year will end up?
Reading this old thread has made me realize how helpful this site has been and how different of a player I am now compared to a year and 3 months ago. If anybody was wondering, I did end up reclassing on an athletic scholarship at a prep school. I also fed that I improved a lot in every area of my game. I will list my new measurables below.
5’9 165 lbs
88 Exit Velo
7.2 Sixty
77-80 OF Velo
355 Deadlift
315 Squat
205 Bench
I know I still have a lot to work on to play at the D1 level but I do feel that the repeat year has helped me tremendously. Getting the extra year to develop has been priceless. I would definitely recommend it to any other players who have the desire and opportunity. Let me know what you all think I should really focus on still. I truly value all of your responses good and bad.
What is your grad year?
Just from looking I would say that the 60 needs to come down into the mid 6s and the OF Velo needs to go up about 10mph. You're a year older and undersized for a D1 recruit so getting those numbers up will be crucial. None of the lifts matter.
I am a 2021. I agree that I need to get much better however, I have a few people from my club and high school who have gone mid major to low D1 and none of them run a 6.5 and only 1 of the 4 throws 90 or above from the outfield. I have also researched PBR commits and PG commits lists and it is rare to see a player running a 6.5 with a 90 mph outfield velo.
If baseball Isn’t pursuing you think in terms of the best quality baseball experience regardless of level and the best academic situation that points you in the right direction for the next forty years. Do not sacrifice academics to be able to pound your chest and claim you play D1 at a low level. Five years after it’s over no one will care. Five years after it’s over where you’re headed professionally will matter.
Baseballcomesthird posted:I am a 2021. I agree that I need to get much better however, I have a few people from my club and high school who have gone mid major to low D1 and none of them run a 6.5 and only 1 of the 4 throws 90 or above from the outfield. I have also researched PBR commits and PG commits lists and it is rare to see a player running a 6.5 with a 90 mph outfield velo.
Yes but it is also rare to see a 5'9 OF throwing 77 from the outfield on a D1 roster as well. I'm not saying you're not a prospect, I've never seen you play. But given your size, coaches are going to need you to wow them. Average metrics might not cut it. By boosting the OF Velo to 87 and running a 6.73, you will be in a much better position.
You don't need to throw 95 and run a 6.6, but the guys that do have a better chance than you. Head to a speed trainer for the 60. In one session they can probably cut your time down a few m/s. Either way you asked what you should be focusing on, I think those two areas are where you should start.
BCT
Don't know if this helps, but my son's stats as a HS rising Senior had some parallels to your's.
5'9"(on tiptoes)
165
91-2 OF velo
82-4 exit velo
6.8-9 60
485 lbs squat( one set of five) he has unusually strong legs...this is not normal. He's kinda ripped, and used to walk around the house with his shirt off, LOL.
SS/CF
Hope you find them helpful, but keep in mind that stats cannot measure the baseball talent/IQ that you have, for better or for worse. I would say that my son's glove work/arm/range was superb(P5 level), base running excellent(mid D1), line drive contact hitter, high OBP(tweener D1/D3). He's at a HA D3 equivalent. Had multiple offers from d3's, interest from D2's he didn't care to track down, and interest from some mid/low D1's that ranged from lukewarm to pretty interested, but didn't have the time, inclination or energy to chase down. He decided pretty early on that he wasn't going to be a pro BB player. No p5's were knocking on his door, though a couple knew his name.
He used to be a pitcher, but stopped because coaches eyes would glaze over once they saw his height.
I don't agree at all that you have to run a 60 in the mid 6's to play D1, or even P5 D1. Also don't think you have to throw in the 90's from the OF. However, if you are not able to hit, and hit the ball damn well, then you should try have an OF arm in the mid 80's, and try to get a tad under 7 on your 60. Guy on my son's HS team ran a 7.15, and threw about 84 OF, and he went to a top 25 P5. The guy did play for a strong, visible travel team though, and could hit the ball a long way.
If you can only play OF only, that lessens your chances to play....make sure that you can really go get the ball! It helps to have a stat that makes coaches do a doubletake...my son's was his arm velo...especially for such a little guy.
Most importantly, get your marks up as high as possible! Coaches always ask, and they always ask for a reason. If you have an outstanding academic record, then it helps bump up the team GPA. If they have to carry you academically, then you gotta be something special BB wise.
I will say that a smaller guy always has to prove he can play, while a big guy has to prove he can't play.
Thank you 57special this is interesting and definitely helpful. Congrats on your son making it to college baseball at a high academic level too. I will definitely work on my grades and getting one stat to making the coaches look twice!
Thank you PABaseball. I see where you’re coming from. Arm strength is not where it needs to be and I need to work really hard to get it up. Thank you for a real not sugarcoated evaluation. I truly appreciate these!
Are you working religiously on Long Toss? It definitely add some MPH's , and is unlikely to hurt you, as long as you are smart. And hit, hit, hit,
I hit 6x a week and have been doing that for the past two years. I recently started throwing for the season and am aiming for every other day to throw. Is that a good amount?
Baseballcomesthird posted:I hit 6x a week and have been doing that for the past two years. I recently started throwing for the season and am aiming for every other day to throw. Is that a good amount?
Sounds good. My older son and his teammate(P5 guy) used to stay after practice for 15-20 min throwing foul pole to foul pole. As your arm gets stronger, you can even go beyond that, depending on your field. If you can't find a partner, bring a bucket of balls out and throw them. Learn to understand the difference between being sore and having arm pain. If the latter, then take a few days off.
I don't know anything about hitting except that the good ones like to hit, and that too much instruction is as bad, if not worse, than too little.