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Son just finished Freshman year, LHP, 6'3" 190. Only pitched this season, will probably do more next year (OF,1B).

Pitched 45-50 innings, including state 5A-I semi-final game start where he left with a 3-2 lead after 6+. Braves scout told me he topped at 87 and crusied at 83 with FB, threw a lot of CB and change-ups for strikes too. So he's got something to talk about. He's also on the radar screen and got great exposure.

He's 15 and doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up, so its difficult to identify schools, other than big state schools where you can major in everyting. He's an honor's student with a 4.1 GPA. You get an extra point in his district for honor's classes (A=5, B=4). He's A's in his non-honors and A's & B's (mostly B's) in his honor's classes (math, science & english). He probably would've been very close to straight A's this spring except math and science fell off during the 2 1/2 week playoff run, from 91 to 88's. (I love Snapgrades, no secrets).

He played for a pro-scout team last fall, and played in the Sophomore Classic as well. This summer he's playing with the Angels and will play pro-scout for them in the fall. He'll play with the HS team when he can (HS coach recommended the Angels or he'd be doing nothing but HS ball). He's going to focus on improving his pitching mechanics and hitting this summer. He doesn't use his legs when he throws, so he's got some work to do there. He's also got a lifting program that focuses on core strength, crafted by the outgoing senior captains. I'll run that by somebody more reliable before he starts it.

Both ASU and UofA have received the checklist forms from him. They both were out to watch his team (not him) a couple of times when he pitched. They both took notes. I have not introduced myself to them yet and I know they can't talk to me. It seemed too early. He might go to one of their camps next fall/winter.

I'm planning on having him take the SAT's for the first time next June, after his sophomore year and then work on improving the scores from there. This strategy worked very well for me about 30 years ago. With honors classes, he'll basically be at a post junior level in math and english at that point.

He has not yet registered on the NCAA clearing house, but will before he takes the SATs. I've read and downloaded all the NCAA information and read all the time line stuff on this site. Basically, I think we've done all we should be doing.

I know several college placement guys and will probably work with one of them eventually. Anything else? I see the web sites promoting the kids, but that seems premature.
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Double check the NCAA core course requirements. You want to make sure that he is taking the right classes that have been approved for your specific high school...not all classes qualify even if you think they might.
Sorry, I can't remember where it is on the site but you enter your school and it will show you what classes are acceptable.
JMoff,

From you post it appears that your son has some very projectable tools, and you both may well be in for quite a ride over the next few years. You've obviously done your homework, and you've put your son on a very good course for development and exposure. I sometimes wish that my son had the fortune to grow up and play in a high exposure environment such as yours. The Phoenix metro is truly a fantastic area for baseball.

I guess my only advice to you would be to remember and stop from time to time to smell the roses. Don't get too wrapped up or try too hard to have things all lined up for him. You've given him excellent directions for his journey. Let him now chart his own path. Your son should define his own goals, both academic and athletic.

You mentioned talking to college coaches- that should probably be his job. College coaches aren't all that interested in talking to us parents anyway, at least they weren't interested in talking to me! Send him to camp (mine really enjoyed the U of A camp), but drop him off then just sit back and enjoy. Have that faith that he'll do what he really needs to on his own.
Last edited by spizzlepop

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