Going into my freshman year playing juco ball . is there a way i can get exposure from 4 year schools and pro scouts . Is it okay for juco players to still go to showcases ?
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ABSOLUTELY! There are TONS of quality juco programs. Which juco are you heading to? There are endless stories of players who start at a juco and transfer to solid 4-year programs and continue on. Never give up. And showcases? I would definitely go to as many as you can. Just check any specific requirements/eligibility rules for each showcase to see if they are high school only or not. Get out there as much as you can/afford. Good luck!
Thanks , but i am already playing it's a d2 juco in new jersey
Not sure what the rules are, however when my son was a JC player he did attend a D1 prospects camp, he was the only JC player there. A number of states have JC showcases, however the best bang for your buck is to play good in JC play. In addtion to that you may be able to get yourself into a decent summer league team that will also get you exposure to the scouts. I know in our area the d1/d2 coaches attend alot of fall JC games. If you don't play well in JC play, additional exposure won't help much.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I know in Florida there is a statewide JUCO All-Star game and showcase that is fairly heavily recruited by schools of all levels (also its free), they may have something similar where you are.
Phenom,
My son is also playing for a NJ juco. Being recruited from a juco is similar to be recruited in high school. Do well and your coach will make calls for you. The more contacts or clout your coach has is obviously better for you. I see a few 4 year recruiters at many of his games also.
Some of my sons teammates have been offered scholarships from 4 year schools without the school seeing them play based on his coach's recommendation and reputation.
Go to showcases also. Son's coach set up a couple of showcases for son and other players.
Again, just like HS and summer ball. Produce and opportunities will present themselves and it helps to have a respected coach vouching for you.
PM me if you have any questions about Jersey jucos.
My son is also playing for a NJ juco. Being recruited from a juco is similar to be recruited in high school. Do well and your coach will make calls for you. The more contacts or clout your coach has is obviously better for you. I see a few 4 year recruiters at many of his games also.
Some of my sons teammates have been offered scholarships from 4 year schools without the school seeing them play based on his coach's recommendation and reputation.
Go to showcases also. Son's coach set up a couple of showcases for son and other players.
Again, just like HS and summer ball. Produce and opportunities will present themselves and it helps to have a respected coach vouching for you.
PM me if you have any questions about Jersey jucos.
While the coach is always a link to the next level, I would not rely soly on the coach and calls or contacts he makes. Certainly make sure that he can and will make recommendations to other coaches for you. Try to find out which ones he is recommending for you or who has contacted your coach, if any one.
Once you understand what the JUCO coach is doing, I recommend to ALSO contact other schools you want to play for and let them know who you are and that you are interested in their program. Similar to HS, you need to be your own advocate and don't sit back and wait for something to happen. Many 4-year schools have great weekend camps that you can go to in the fall. I am familiar with Auburn's and Vanderbilt's. AT VU, the head coach brings in coaches from other schools to work the winter camp.
Find out if the JUCO coach is going to help place players on to summer teams. If not, you will need to work this as well. My experience has been that the current coach was not as big a player in the next level as you would think.
Once you understand what the JUCO coach is doing, I recommend to ALSO contact other schools you want to play for and let them know who you are and that you are interested in their program. Similar to HS, you need to be your own advocate and don't sit back and wait for something to happen. Many 4-year schools have great weekend camps that you can go to in the fall. I am familiar with Auburn's and Vanderbilt's. AT VU, the head coach brings in coaches from other schools to work the winter camp.
Find out if the JUCO coach is going to help place players on to summer teams. If not, you will need to work this as well. My experience has been that the current coach was not as big a player in the next level as you would think.
Much depends on which Juco you're at. It also depends on if you are "extremely" talented or you have a team mate who will draw scouting attention.
DI coaches can't get out to lots of Juco games for obvious reasons. However, MLB scouts know about the most talented Juco players (especially the ones at good Jucos) in their area and they do follow those players very closely because they are all eligible for the draft.
What all this means is that the pro scouts are often a players best promoters for 4 year schools. If you are a good prospect and playing at any competitive Juco, the pro scouts will know who you are. They might like you a lot, but think you need another year or two. Most pro scouts have good relationships with many colleges. After all, they need to work with those colleges.
It's possible that a good Juco player would have to promote or market himself to other colleges. But in most cases, when a player has enough talent the Juco coaching staff and MLB scouts will be your surest ticket to the next level.
As far as DI goes, making contacts on your own make sense if you are already being recruited by other DI colleges. If you're from Iowa and you contact LSU, they will want to know if Iowa wants you. I know that is an extreme example, but the point is if you're a Juco player that stands out, people will know about it. If you're not a Juco stand out and looking for a small college opportunity, by all means, you need to start contacting schools.
This is just my opinion, TIFWIW. For sure I would ask my Juco coach what he thinks might be the highest level you should seek. That will at least tell you what he thinks. What he thinks is going to be very important because whoever you contact is likely to end up talking to him. And if you are the DI coach, whose information carries more weight, the player or the coach?
Just remember, if you're at the right juco and have enough talent, chances are you have nothing to worry about. If you happen to be at the wrong Juco and have the talent, but feel you're getting overlooked... Get busy!
One warning: Some Juco coaches have close ties to a particular college. Most of their top players end up going to that college. Sometimes the Juco coach is that colleges best recruiter. So if looking for lots of options, unless that option is satisfactory, you might think twice before heading off to that Juco.
DI coaches can't get out to lots of Juco games for obvious reasons. However, MLB scouts know about the most talented Juco players (especially the ones at good Jucos) in their area and they do follow those players very closely because they are all eligible for the draft.
What all this means is that the pro scouts are often a players best promoters for 4 year schools. If you are a good prospect and playing at any competitive Juco, the pro scouts will know who you are. They might like you a lot, but think you need another year or two. Most pro scouts have good relationships with many colleges. After all, they need to work with those colleges.
It's possible that a good Juco player would have to promote or market himself to other colleges. But in most cases, when a player has enough talent the Juco coaching staff and MLB scouts will be your surest ticket to the next level.
As far as DI goes, making contacts on your own make sense if you are already being recruited by other DI colleges. If you're from Iowa and you contact LSU, they will want to know if Iowa wants you. I know that is an extreme example, but the point is if you're a Juco player that stands out, people will know about it. If you're not a Juco stand out and looking for a small college opportunity, by all means, you need to start contacting schools.
This is just my opinion, TIFWIW. For sure I would ask my Juco coach what he thinks might be the highest level you should seek. That will at least tell you what he thinks. What he thinks is going to be very important because whoever you contact is likely to end up talking to him. And if you are the DI coach, whose information carries more weight, the player or the coach?
Just remember, if you're at the right juco and have enough talent, chances are you have nothing to worry about. If you happen to be at the wrong Juco and have the talent, but feel you're getting overlooked... Get busy!
One warning: Some Juco coaches have close ties to a particular college. Most of their top players end up going to that college. Sometimes the Juco coach is that colleges best recruiter. So if looking for lots of options, unless that option is satisfactory, you might think twice before heading off to that Juco.
Thanks for all the feedback , this my coach's first year coaching as head coach . I do plan on transferring to a 4 year school doing whatever it takes . Also are Juco players allowed to attend PG showcases ?