It is a long story that is to upsetting to get into but my question is when coaches talk about size are they talking about height, weight what? I am tired of hearing that my son has the ability but is too small. What does that mean?
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I think that it is height that they are refering to, since weight can be projected at later ages. I know of a couple very talented players that are still looking for a home and have been told they are too small, about 5'6" as a senior. Awesome player though, but he may need to find a spot a little further from home.
It would be perfectly fine for you to ask the coaches.
Without knowing more, my guess is the references are to some combination, but most importantly, to most coaches at least, they are talking about strength. The coaches are having trouble projecting your son to have the strength to be able to play a college season and be strong enough to play at a high level throughout.
As a freshman, you can expect your son to lose upwards of 15 pounds. The rigors of that Spring are significant when you combine academics, baseball, travel, competition and the number of games.
Mental strength and physical strength and stamina are tested like they have not been before.
Without knowing more, my guess is the references are to some combination, but most importantly, to most coaches at least, they are talking about strength. The coaches are having trouble projecting your son to have the strength to be able to play a college season and be strong enough to play at a high level throughout.
As a freshman, you can expect your son to lose upwards of 15 pounds. The rigors of that Spring are significant when you combine academics, baseball, travel, competition and the number of games.
Mental strength and physical strength and stamina are tested like they have not been before.
Size is very important, but it is all relative. A player can be too tall or too small -- and it is different for each position. Talent clearly enters into it, but a player under 5-9 or 5-10 better be very, very good or it will be tough to get a sustained opportunity.
I think that most coaches will elaborate if asked what "size" means. But the answer should be examined carefully. In some cases, the coach's actual opinion may be that the player's combination of projectable size and degree of talent is not sufficient to succeed at the level of ball under consideration. If that's the case, many coaches will emphasize the issue of size, and soft pedal concerns over talent, because it seems easier for everyone.
If the coach is being less than perfectly straight, it is very important to detect it, because no amount of improvement in strength etc. will change that particular coach's opinion. In the parlance of the stock market, the improvement in strength/size has already been discounted. So it would be far better to find a coach with a different opinion.
If the coach is being less than perfectly straight, it is very important to detect it, because no amount of improvement in strength etc. will change that particular coach's opinion. In the parlance of the stock market, the improvement in strength/size has already been discounted. So it would be far better to find a coach with a different opinion.
quote:Without knowing more, my guess is the references are to some combination, but most importantly, to most coaches at least, they are talking about strength. The coaches are having trouble projecting your son to have the strength to be able to play a college season and be strong enough to play at a high level throughout.
As a freshman, you can expect your son to lose upwards of 15 pounds. The rigors of that Spring are significant when you combine academics, baseball, travel, competition and the number of games.
Mental strength and physical strength and stamina are tested like they have not been before.
I had never really understood the size factor, but I realize now that a lot does have to do with the ability to have the stamina to go through the season. My son just finished his freshmen year at a JC, was one of the youngest on the team that actually played all the time. He is 6'0 and was 173 about and he lost some weight this season. Even though he lived away half the year and lived home it is rigorous.
We just were taken out of super regionals this weekend. Playoffs were two weekends in a row and a third next week if you made t to state. The boys took the bus 4 hour ride last weekend, played the same day, played 3 games in the heat , two of them on Saturday, stayed in hotels, sharing beds, eating out a lot, then again this weekend traveled four hours by bus, night before this time, played what was supposed to be a 430 game , didnt start until about 7. Snack bar, town had very few restaurants, mile and a half to the store to get food, friday night go to pizza after game, 1130 before they get to eat, game the next day, lose,so have to play another one, again 1100 before they eat pizza again, have to be back Sunday at 930am to possibly play another DH if they win the first one.
We lost, very hot, very tired, son lost 5 pounds just in that weekend. So my take is have to be strong if you are small or you wont have the reserve that the bigger stronger kids have, and my son at 170 is small compared to guys on his JC team that are 2 years older and weigh 195, 220 etc, now put that freshmen in a four year school with guys that are 22, 23 and it is even more apparent.
My son competed and did very well, but it is a toll on the body. season is over he slept 14 hours last night, tired, sore, hungry,its a grind.I told him to take at least a week off and not do anything, not even lift. rest, sleep, eat and he will have the 5 pounds back.
then summer ball begins, 54 games in about 10 weeks,its a lot and you do really need to pay strict attention to diet, nutrition, supplemental shakes, etc, vitamins , and be as strong going into the season as possible.
quote:If the coach is being less than perfectly straight, it is very important to detect it, because no amount of improvement in strength etc. will change that particular coach's opinion. In the parlance of the stock market, the improvement in strength/size has already been discounted. So it would be far better to find a coach with a different opinion.
I think that is also true. The coach has to believe you can compete and if he doesnt chances are you wont get a lot of opportunity. I will say this, if you hit the ball consistently, and can show some potential for power, with extra base hits, you most likely will see a lot of playing time.There are the fast lead off guys and speedy outfielders, but the majority of positions , most coaches will go with a hitter, even if the defense is slightly less than the guy who doesnt hit well at all but can play, if there is a choice between the two of them.
If you are small, again be as strong as you can be. that is essential.
Size matters in that certain positions require more lower body size. My son evidently is built to be a catcher, has tree trunks for legs and a strong arm. Infielders tend to be lighter and smaller. My impression of size mostly applied to height, most coaches assume a kid will bulk up once they mature. But there is that minority that cannot, wouldn't we all like to have that problem.
Fan, I see you were up late, good report on your son's final schedule, sounds very grueling indeed.
Best of luck to your son in summer ball.
Fan, I see you were up late, good report on your son's final schedule, sounds very grueling indeed.
Best of luck to your son in summer ball.
My boy is a 6-5, 215# high school sophomore playing varsity baseball.
He has had a terrible season, but the coach keeps throwing him out there giving him a "chance to develop."
There are kids with better skills and smaller stature who should be getting more chances.
He also plays basketball and didn't get much playing time this year on the JV squad. His team had a 6-8" kid who is still growing. He got most of the playing time. My boy has better basketball skills than the gangly kid.
Coaches will tell you they can teach sport skills, but they can't teach size.
He has had a terrible season, but the coach keeps throwing him out there giving him a "chance to develop."
There are kids with better skills and smaller stature who should be getting more chances.
He also plays basketball and didn't get much playing time this year on the JV squad. His team had a 6-8" kid who is still growing. He got most of the playing time. My boy has better basketball skills than the gangly kid.
Coaches will tell you they can teach sport skills, but they can't teach size.
As this topic has come up before, the big guys have to prove they cant play and the small guys have to prove they can play everyday.
regardless, again if you hit the ball they will play you. Just keep Dustin and David E in your mind and heart, to the original poster keep having your son work hard, get stronger and if he has the talent he will find a place to play.
regardless, again if you hit the ball they will play you. Just keep Dustin and David E in your mind and heart, to the original poster keep having your son work hard, get stronger and if he has the talent he will find a place to play.
Thanks for the advice. It's nice to know he's not the only one. He's 5'8 160 lbs. Starter for varsity football. All conference wrestler 2years in a row and all county baseball. There is a JUCO that is thrilled that he is being overlooked because of his size. This whole process is frustrating and I have trouble explaining to my son it's not your ability(that would be easier to explain) It's hard to explain that it's your size (nothing you have control over)
quote:There is a JUCO that is thrilled that he is being overlooked because of his size.
Always go where they are thrilled to have you.
quote:Originally posted by infielddad:
As a freshman, you can expect your son to lose upwards of 15 pounds. The rigors of that Spring are significant when you combine academics, baseball, travel, competition and the number of games.
Mental strength and physical strength and stamina are tested like they have not been before.
This is so true. Zack as a freshman this year went from 6'1" 205 to 6'2" and 175 as of about 2 weeks ago.
Now he is playing summer ball and attending football workouts.
Got to get him to eat more.
To the op-you can't do anything about how tall you are but you can regulate what you put into your body and how much lean muscle mass you put on.
It helps quite a bit. However my 5' 1" 95# son (hasn't hit puberty yet) made his HS team this year (sub varsity). When I thanked the Varisty coach for taking my son in the program he said "You son is small but his has skills, savvy and goes hard all the time. Pound for pound he has the strongest arm in the program. He just needs to grow to your size". I am 6' and 180. So I think the coach is projecting my son as to where he might be in 2 years. Now this is a HS school so he in not recruiting. He just has to wait and see what players develop.
That being said I think over time you would have to have the skills no matter what your size.
That being said I think over time you would have to have the skills no matter what your size.
I have listened to some pretty solid college coaches discuss the issue. Most often, size itself isn't an impediment to playing college baseball. It might be in some programs, but there are plenty of places to play college baseball where they measure things by your ability and your heart.
With those same coaches, the issue really is strength, not size.
somewhere, your son is not alone. Ours as a freshman was 4'11" and 96lbs at weigh ins for HS football.
By graduation, he was 5'11" and 150lbs.
The coach who recruited him talked about strength, the need to get stronger.
As it turns out, it wasn't just so he could play in college. It was because that college coach saw something and was challenging our son to be the best player he could be. Luckily, our son happened to have Brian Gabriel, now at Coastal Carolina, as his strength and conditioning coach for a period of his college career.
With the type of baseball specific strength program Brian instilled, ours ended up at 6'0" and 180lbs when he graduated and was drafted.
You are exactly right that size and strength do not matter without talent and ability.
Maybe there are some coaches of the type 3FG described who use size as an excuse in lieu of the more direct comments.
If you are dealing with a good, successful college coach, they will tell you they want you in their program.
They will also tell you what you need to do to succeed in their program.
If they really believe in their players, and most college coaches do, they want them to be the very best player they can be.
College coaches truly find it difficult, sometimes worse than that, when players underachieve their ability and talent level.
For the most part, size cannot be controlled. Strength and conditioning can be controlled. When you recognize most every college player is talented, differences in success and disappointment often comes from mental discipline and physical strength.
When you get to Milb, you truly cannot imagine the speed and power with which the game is played.
It is played by players of all sizes, and everyone is strong and everyone is talented.
So, when our son as a 17 year old was being told by his future college coach that he needed to get stronger, that coach saw far more in his baseball future than we ever imagined. That vision and 1000's of hours in strength and conditioning eliminated size as an issue.
With those same coaches, the issue really is strength, not size.
somewhere, your son is not alone. Ours as a freshman was 4'11" and 96lbs at weigh ins for HS football.
By graduation, he was 5'11" and 150lbs.
The coach who recruited him talked about strength, the need to get stronger.
As it turns out, it wasn't just so he could play in college. It was because that college coach saw something and was challenging our son to be the best player he could be. Luckily, our son happened to have Brian Gabriel, now at Coastal Carolina, as his strength and conditioning coach for a period of his college career.
With the type of baseball specific strength program Brian instilled, ours ended up at 6'0" and 180lbs when he graduated and was drafted.
You are exactly right that size and strength do not matter without talent and ability.
Maybe there are some coaches of the type 3FG described who use size as an excuse in lieu of the more direct comments.
If you are dealing with a good, successful college coach, they will tell you they want you in their program.
They will also tell you what you need to do to succeed in their program.
If they really believe in their players, and most college coaches do, they want them to be the very best player they can be.
College coaches truly find it difficult, sometimes worse than that, when players underachieve their ability and talent level.
For the most part, size cannot be controlled. Strength and conditioning can be controlled. When you recognize most every college player is talented, differences in success and disappointment often comes from mental discipline and physical strength.
When you get to Milb, you truly cannot imagine the speed and power with which the game is played.
It is played by players of all sizes, and everyone is strong and everyone is talented.
So, when our son as a 17 year old was being told by his future college coach that he needed to get stronger, that coach saw far more in his baseball future than we ever imagined. That vision and 1000's of hours in strength and conditioning eliminated size as an issue.
Great stuff infielddad.
The rigors of college baseball are very difficult, and depending upon his needs he may not have time for you to mature physically. He may need you to start the first year, and for some players, it may be physically impossible. Most programs do not have teh luxury to redshirt players anymore to give them that year to mature and learn how to manage everything there is to handle your first year in college.
I do agree it's easier to tell a player they lack the size, rather than they lack the talent to play for his program. I believe in honesty, that helps the player to realize at what stage in his development (ability and physical) he is so he can pursue the right program or better "fit".
Fan,
Happy to hear that your son's first year was a successful one.
The rigors of college baseball are very difficult, and depending upon his needs he may not have time for you to mature physically. He may need you to start the first year, and for some players, it may be physically impossible. Most programs do not have teh luxury to redshirt players anymore to give them that year to mature and learn how to manage everything there is to handle your first year in college.
I do agree it's easier to tell a player they lack the size, rather than they lack the talent to play for his program. I believe in honesty, that helps the player to realize at what stage in his development (ability and physical) he is so he can pursue the right program or better "fit".
Fan,
Happy to hear that your son's first year was a successful one.
I agree with everything all of you have said here. My son does have some offers there are colleges coaches willing to overlook his size but I have been surprised at college coaches behavior. A number of them have pursued my son based on his reputation then they meet him and are surprised at his size 5' 8" 160lbs. Don't they do their homework first? I am confident my son will pick a college that is a good fit. I just wish coaches realized they are dealing with people. They need to be honest if the kid doesn't have the ability say so. Don't blame it on size if that is not the case. And if it is size shame on you. Size tells you nothing about ability, character, work ethic. Thanks for the advice
quote:Don't blame it on size if that is not the case. And if it is size shame on you. Size tells you nothing about ability, character, work ethic.
CA, looking at this in the rear view mirror, it is obviously easier for me to say, but this is really nothing to worry about.
If a coach is truly talking about size and not strength, you wouldn't want your son playing for him anyway.
Also, recognize that coaches are people. Just like all of us, they do have very different views/bias on size.
Some know size is something they don't coach. Unfortunately, they sometimes also aren't particularly great at enhancing character, work ethic and heart, either.
Rest assured there are plenty of college baseball coaches who truly love to coach kids who have talent and passion and work ethic and character.
If your son gets coached by one of them, he will be a better player and you will not believe the changes you will observe in is passion, dedication and love for the game and opportunity to compete.
quote:Rest assured there are plenty of college baseball coaches who truly love to coach kids who have talent and passion and work ethic and character.
If your son gets coached by one of them, he will be a better player and you will not believe the changes you will observe in is passion, dedication and love for the game and opportunity to compete.
That is what we will be looking for.Those are the things a player should want.Sometimes they get hung up on the big named schools and do not look at the entire picture.
TPM thanks I will shoot you a PM about Matts season.
THANK YOU. After reading what all of you have wrote I have realized that you are all right. I don't want my son playing for a coach who only looks at size. I want him to have a great college experience. Now he has to decide which school will give him that. Thank you again I appreciate all the input.
How much your size matters or your strength matters depends on how talented you are.
CA;
Is that California or Long Island, NY.
When Robert, my son was 11 years old; he was a Reds fan of Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan.
We traveled together from SF to Cincinnati for an
International baseball objective. Tickets were arranged at Riverfront Stadium [Dodger vs Reds*.
We were in the lobby of the Dodgers Hotel, walking distance to the field. Robert was introduced to Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers Manager.
After "shaking' hands.
Tommy said "son you will never be a ballplayer until you can shake hands with a "firm" grip.
Summary: size means very little; desire, pride and an obsession with "being the best"
THAT IS IMPORTANT!!
BOB
Is that California or Long Island, NY.
When Robert, my son was 11 years old; he was a Reds fan of Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan.
We traveled together from SF to Cincinnati for an
International baseball objective. Tickets were arranged at Riverfront Stadium [Dodger vs Reds*.
We were in the lobby of the Dodgers Hotel, walking distance to the field. Robert was introduced to Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers Manager.
After "shaking' hands.
Tommy said "son you will never be a ballplayer until you can shake hands with a "firm" grip.
Summary: size means very little; desire, pride and an obsession with "being the best"
THAT IS IMPORTANT!!
BOB
quote:Originally posted by Coach May:
How much your size matters or your strength matters depends on how talented you are.
Coach, I have passed over this post about 5 times.
Each time I have a different response.
For those of us parents who have had size or strength included in the discussion, what does it mean in terms of talent?
I am really interested in understanding what our son, and other sons should hear in those
words?
Ours heard nothing other than a coach who believed in him. It sounds like you are saying the coach would not have used those comments if his talent was at a higher level. Am I reading you correctly?
It also matters when you are concerned how short you are !!!
Talk to Dustin Pedroia
Talk to Dustin Pedroia
Thanks TR. Very helpful for all the parents of Dustin Pedroia type players.
Lets see, there is one in MLB.
I think this thread relates to players who are a notch or two below that level.
Do you have any helpful comments for them?
Lets see, there is one in MLB.
I think this thread relates to players who are a notch or two below that level.
Do you have any helpful comments for them?
Found this on a recruiting site
What do College Baseball Coaches look for? Signs of maturity, both mentally and physically.
Physically
Excellence in 5 tools of the game
Condition of body
Strengths & weaknesses of body
Potential for growth
Is this player raw or polished?
Project how good this player can become
Is he a worker or does he look lazy?
How much effort does this player expend to play at the top of his game?
Ceiling...how much better can he get given his physical body?
So, condition of body, strenght and weaknesses, how much better he can get given his physical body.
What do College Baseball Coaches look for? Signs of maturity, both mentally and physically.
Physically
Excellence in 5 tools of the game
Condition of body
Strengths & weaknesses of body
Potential for growth
Is this player raw or polished?
Project how good this player can become
Is he a worker or does he look lazy?
How much effort does this player expend to play at the top of his game?
Ceiling...how much better can he get given his physical body?
So, condition of body, strenght and weaknesses, how much better he can get given his physical body.
sarcasm duly noted infielddad
Pedroia is a great example of a undersized player making it work because he believed in himself---not talking talent but the attitude of the player and not listening to what people say about the size
I saw Pedroia in college and even then he was extremely impressive despite his "size"---young players simply need to see his success and use his attitude as an example
Pedroia is a great example of a undersized player making it work because he believed in himself---not talking talent but the attitude of the player and not listening to what people say about the size
I saw Pedroia in college and even then he was extremely impressive despite his "size"---young players simply need to see his success and use his attitude as an example
as they say ....it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
sarcasm duly noted infielddad
Pedroia is a great example of a undersized player making it work because he believed in himself---not talking talent but the attitude of the player and not listening to what people say about the size
I saw Pedroia in college and even then he was extremely impressive despite his "size"---young players simply need to see his success and use his attitude as an example
A number of us saw Pedroia in college, read information about him, read posts by bbscout about him and some of us talked with bbscout about him.
Despite his great talent, there were college coaches and professional scouts who were hesitant on Pedroia..because of his size. bbscout wasn't one of them but he confirmed more than a few were hesitant.
Because of his size, there were professional organizations which hesitated on Tim Lincecum.
If there are "baseball people" who take size into consideration when you have an obvious talent like Pedroia and Lincecum, then surely there are even more who will take size into consideration for those with lesser skills and talent, but who have skill and talent.
To use Pedroia as an example and suggest his size didn't matter is rewriting history.
The question CA asked is whether size is important.
Pedroia and Lincecum both illustrate that size is important to some college coaches and scouts and to some MLB scouts and teams.
Luckily, it isn't to all of them
That is the good thing, everyone doesn’t think the same way.
This topic is brought up several times each year. The bottom line is that, in the end, the most important ingredient will always be “talent”.
That said, there are many things that recruiters and scouts consider. Size and body type are among those things. Strength or lack of strength is more important than actual size. Lack of size can limit some opportunities, but not all opportunities. Lack of size is definitely not an advantage when compared to the player who has the ideal body type. (What ever that is). However, talent always wins out in the end.
Using Pedroia as an example actually does make sense to me. He is not alone among Major League players who lack the ideal size. There are even more at top DI programs around the country.
There are many obstacles. Lacking size can be an obstacle, but many overcome that obstacle. Lacking talent is the hardest obstacle to overcome.
Shane Robinson was recently called up to the Cardinals, he played at Florida State, he is generously listed 5’9/160.
Jimmy Rollins was an MVP, 5’8/160
Dustin Perdrioa was an MVP, 5’9/180
Tim Lincecum was Cy Young winner, 5’11/160
Ichiro Suzuki might be the best player in the world, 5’9/160
Pedro Martinez 3 Cy Young’s, 5’11/170
David Eckstein, World Series MVP, 5’6/170
Ivan Rodriguez, one of the best catchers ever, 5’9”
Tony Gwynn, HOF, 5’11”
Ozzie Smith, HOF, 5’11/150
Joe Morgan, HOF, 5’7/160
Freddie Patek, 14 year MLB career, 5’5/148
Chris Cates, star DI player, in 3rd year of professional baseball, 5’3/145
We could give hundreds of examples of undersized players who overcame that obstacle to become very successful.
So my recommendation is to forget about size, you can’t do much about it. Remember that strength is always important and everyone can get stronger. Understand that the goal is to try to reach your potential. It is exactly the same goal that the 6’3” guys need to have. Be as good as you can be, if you’re good enough people will figure it out. If you’re not good enough, then go ahead and blame the size conspiracy.
Players have overcome all types of short comings. Lack of speed, lack of arm strength, lack of power, etc. Lack of size is one of those short comings that many over come. There are more under 6’0 pitchers in the Big Leagues than there are 6’10 pitchers. There are more players under 200 lbs than there are Prince Fielder body types. So if we are looking at the average ML player it could be said that Prince Fielder and Randy Johnson had to overcome size obstacles also.
This topic is brought up several times each year. The bottom line is that, in the end, the most important ingredient will always be “talent”.
That said, there are many things that recruiters and scouts consider. Size and body type are among those things. Strength or lack of strength is more important than actual size. Lack of size can limit some opportunities, but not all opportunities. Lack of size is definitely not an advantage when compared to the player who has the ideal body type. (What ever that is). However, talent always wins out in the end.
Using Pedroia as an example actually does make sense to me. He is not alone among Major League players who lack the ideal size. There are even more at top DI programs around the country.
There are many obstacles. Lacking size can be an obstacle, but many overcome that obstacle. Lacking talent is the hardest obstacle to overcome.
Shane Robinson was recently called up to the Cardinals, he played at Florida State, he is generously listed 5’9/160.
Jimmy Rollins was an MVP, 5’8/160
Dustin Perdrioa was an MVP, 5’9/180
Tim Lincecum was Cy Young winner, 5’11/160
Ichiro Suzuki might be the best player in the world, 5’9/160
Pedro Martinez 3 Cy Young’s, 5’11/170
David Eckstein, World Series MVP, 5’6/170
Ivan Rodriguez, one of the best catchers ever, 5’9”
Tony Gwynn, HOF, 5’11”
Ozzie Smith, HOF, 5’11/150
Joe Morgan, HOF, 5’7/160
Freddie Patek, 14 year MLB career, 5’5/148
Chris Cates, star DI player, in 3rd year of professional baseball, 5’3/145
We could give hundreds of examples of undersized players who overcame that obstacle to become very successful.
So my recommendation is to forget about size, you can’t do much about it. Remember that strength is always important and everyone can get stronger. Understand that the goal is to try to reach your potential. It is exactly the same goal that the 6’3” guys need to have. Be as good as you can be, if you’re good enough people will figure it out. If you’re not good enough, then go ahead and blame the size conspiracy.
Players have overcome all types of short comings. Lack of speed, lack of arm strength, lack of power, etc. Lack of size is one of those short comings that many over come. There are more under 6’0 pitchers in the Big Leagues than there are 6’10 pitchers. There are more players under 200 lbs than there are Prince Fielder body types. So if we are looking at the average ML player it could be said that Prince Fielder and Randy Johnson had to overcome size obstacles also.
It really is difficult debating with you and your closed and biased mind ---
see ya some time later in my life
see ya some time later in my life
quote:Pedroia and Lincecum both illustrate that size is important to some college coaches and scouts and to some MLB scouts and teams.
I would rather this didn't turn into some kind of battle. I know there are many who are concerned with this size issue. It is real... but IMO people have to understand that it is hopeless to spend lots of time worrying about it.
infielddad,
I'm not sure I totally agree with that illustration.
Lincecum was recruited and signed with his instate (Pac10) college and became an immediate starter. He was actually drafted out of high school despite being relatively unknown. Then after his junior year he was drafted with the 10th overall pick of the first round. Guess you could say he was slighted a bit by going 10th, but he was signed for over 2 million. The next year he was in the Big Leagues. Guess I don't see him being overlooked by college or MLB.
Pedroia was recruited and signed with Arizona State (Pac10) ASU is recognized as one having top recruiting classes nearly every year. He became an immediate starter there. Then he was drafted in the 2nd round and signed for half a million or so. Guess you could say he should have gone in the first round and maybe size was the only reason he didn't. However everyone knew he was a player or he wouldn't have gone in the 2nd round. I doubt if anyone on earth thought he would be the League MVP a couple years later. Maybe there were other colleges who spurnned him, but he ended up signing with one of the top programs in the country.
I think you bring up some very good points. Not trying to argue at all, just don't share the opinion that Pedroia or Lincecum were slighted very much. It is neat that those two have been so successful, so quickly.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
It really is difficult debating with you and your closed and biased mind ---
see ya some time later in my life
TR, did someone ruin your cheerios again this morning?
Even though you regularly boast about being "blunt," it is interesting that your being blunt turns to words where you insult and denigrate to end your "discussion."
PG, information of the type you are providing is very helpful to parents/players raising the questions CA did. While we see them often as "old timers" on this site, for folks like CA, they are running into this for the first time.
Thanks for your insights to parents like CA who are legitimately hearing these comments and finding them troubling.
PG,
I completely agree with you that size isn't an issue any parent or player should be worrying about or getting upset about. It is a factor to some coaches. It is more important to a few. It isn't at all important to many coaches/scouts and that is what is important.
I guess we have differences in our recall on each of those players and the issue of their size when the draft came around.
Since the Giants were keenly interested in Lincecum, his size and projected "durability" were both items often discussed on why he might fall to #10 so the Giants would have a shot at him. Even now, with him off to a somewhat uneven start, there are regular discussions about his weight and size, especially after last Friday when his velocity was more in 90-92 than 95-97 range.
For Pedroia, BA regularly had reports that his size was an issue with some teams and a reported reason he lasted into the second round. bbscout confirmed some of that information.
Of course bbscout loved both of those guys...and Rollins too.
I guess if you were the Giants and looking at maybe $40,000,000 for 4-5 years with Lincecum, you have to consider those things. The problem with that approach or consideration is tall guys, big guys, strong guys, fast guys and 5 tool guys all get injured too.
I completely agree with you that size isn't an issue any parent or player should be worrying about or getting upset about. It is a factor to some coaches. It is more important to a few. It isn't at all important to many coaches/scouts and that is what is important.
I guess we have differences in our recall on each of those players and the issue of their size when the draft came around.
Since the Giants were keenly interested in Lincecum, his size and projected "durability" were both items often discussed on why he might fall to #10 so the Giants would have a shot at him. Even now, with him off to a somewhat uneven start, there are regular discussions about his weight and size, especially after last Friday when his velocity was more in 90-92 than 95-97 range.
For Pedroia, BA regularly had reports that his size was an issue with some teams and a reported reason he lasted into the second round. bbscout confirmed some of that information.
Of course bbscout loved both of those guys...and Rollins too.
I guess if you were the Giants and looking at maybe $40,000,000 for 4-5 years with Lincecum, you have to consider those things. The problem with that approach or consideration is tall guys, big guys, strong guys, fast guys and 5 tool guys all get injured too.
PGStaff,
Tony Gwynn was my favorite player for many years. That was a kind gesture to omit his weight from your post.
Tony Gwynn was my favorite player for many years. That was a kind gesture to omit his weight from your post.
quote:So my recommendation is to forget about size, you can’t do much about it. Remember that strength is always important and everyone can get stronger
Thats what has been said over and over in this thread.Control what you can and forget the rest, it will just make you crazy.
JMO, but in some peoples mind being tall relates to being a better player. Example: One of my sons is 5'9", 173/lb, R/R, MIF, 6.60 60, never hit less than .400 in high school or summer league. His only negative other than height is he did not have a super strong arm. Son #2 was 6'1" & 168/lb, R/R, MIF, 6.90 60 & hit around .375 in high school and summer ball. #2 was no where close to being the player that #1 was and part of it was he didn't work as hard. Everyone SEC,ACC, Big East, etc... wanted #2 but #1 had to go the JUCO route and prove that he could play.