This wasn't the route taken. But I'm curious how it works. How do JuCo players get exposure to the next level? Not all of them are studs the four year programs followed through JuCo ball. Some are late bloomers who are far different players than coming out of high school.
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Play in a good league. The pro scouts and college coaches watch a lot of fall ball and early season games. Exposure doesn't seem to be a problem in SoCal. Coaches from the players own team and oppo coaches are giving leads to D1, D2 etc coaches all the time. Its in the JC coaches best interest to see kids move onto the next level, whatever it might be. I kind of felt each JC game was a "free" recruiting event. Some coaches and scouts came to practices.
I think there was a kid throwing 93 in my son's JC league. There were about 20 pro scouts at that game when my son played them.
If you play in a not so competitive league there might not be many scouts or D1 interest, but people are still watching. Some players get placed into good summer leagues and get seen.
My son went from a D2 JuCo to a D2 university. Believe it or not, he was "discovered" via his JuCo stats. During his sophomore year (JuCo) several D3 and a few D2 coaches inquired with his coach or talked to him. None of the D2 coaches at the time made firm offers.
He did have one D3 (local to home) express much interest. We did make an "official" visit. Just prior to that visit my son was contacted via text by yet another D2 RC. They had discovered him by his stats - one in particular - 27 doubles (2nd in the nation for D2 JuCo) hit in the season. We went for an official visit the following week. This was just after he moved home from JuCo. The HC interviewed him and we toured the campus. About a week (maybe two) later he had a firm scholarship offer. I remember being quite busy as he had not registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center so my son and I spent the next week getting his HS and JuCo transcripts sent in and completing the requirements. Then we had to revise his FAFSA to get that information to the D2. Before the HC made the offer, my son did have to forward an unofficial copy of his JuCo transcript.
Both years my son was at JuCo, there would be several D2, D3, NAIA and a few D1 coaches at the games towards the end of the season. The JuCo season tended to end later than the D2/D3/NAIA seasons so the coaches had free time to scout. The coaches would either talk to the players after a game or contact the JuCo coach. Sometimes both.
That's how it worked from my son. As the saying goes, "Your Mileage May Vary."
RJM posted:This wasn't the route taken. But I'm curious how it works. How do JuCo players get exposure to the next level? Not all of them are studs the four year programs followed through JuCo ball. Some are late bloomers who are far different players than coming out of high school.
This weekend a huge JUCO showcase was held in Auburndale, FL attended by many D1, D2 coaches MLB scouts from every team.
Of course some of them have become baseball studs, but not all have stud grades. The ones who qualify for D1 will be signed in the early signing period the rest will get offers in the spring.
CollegeParentNoMore posted:Play in a good league. The pro scouts and college coaches watch a lot of fall ball and early season games. Exposure doesn't seem to be a problem in SoCal. Coaches from the players own team and oppo coaches are giving leads to D1, D2 etc coaches all the time. Its in the JC coaches best interest to see kids move onto the next level, whatever it might be. I kind of felt each JC game was a "free" recruiting event. Some coaches and scouts came to practices.
I think there was a kid throwing 93 in my son's JC league. There were about 20 pro scouts at that game when my son played them.
If you play in a not so competitive league there might not be many scouts or D1 interest, but people are still watching. Some players get placed into good summer leagues and get seen.
I think this is especially important. My son is currently a sophomore in a competitive NorCal league so the fall and the upcoming season will be important. And as for exposure, the coaches seem to have great connections.
I agree. Here in Florida there are excellent JUCOs and scouts everywhere. These scouts als have relationships with many college coaches.
What if a kid is playing for an ordinary program not in a baseball hotbed and he's a definite D3 talent. What does he do to get exposure?
RJM posted:What if a kid is playing for an ordinary program not in a baseball hotbed and he's a definite D3 talent. What does he do to get exposure?
He might have to treat the process like one would out of HS, along with the help of his coaches.
I have several players from my program and immediate area, including one of my sons, who have gone the JC route here in Ca. Most JC's have a scout day in the fall, then there will be some RC's at fall games, then Spring games are attended by regional 4-yr RC's at times, even during the 4-yr season. Once son was at his D2, I was surprised to hear how often the RC would skip practices to scout JC games. The stud players are usually identified early on. Also, JC coaches develop pipelines and their 4-year coaches with whom they have relationships will check in with them during the course of the season.
All this said, there are plenty of good players that still don't have a home toward the end or at the end of the JC season. Many prove themselves during the course of that season. At this point, there is a scramble with these players to find homes. There are also several smaller 4-yr schools across the Plains, Midwest, Atlantic and Northeast that are looking to pick these players up. The timing and logistics become quite difficult. Often, an agreement is made without the player being seen in person, the 4 yr RC relying on the word of the JC coaches and maybe some video. And the players agree to play at a school without ever seeing the campus in person. This is far from the "go where you are loved" and "do your thorough research" mantra promoted here and far from ideal but there are a whole lot of good players who end up going this route. Interestingly, a significant percentage of these California JC players end up being key contributors to these small 4-yr schools. I hear feedback from a whole lot that aren't real happy with the campus environment or the town but they are so busy with baseball, it isn't as big a factor as one might think.
Son's JC coach didn't want players talking to anyone during the season. This put several kids in major scramble mode once the season ended. Finish in late May, try to make contacts, connect references, go thru multiple application processes, negotiate with coaches, file paperwork, figure out finances, get accepted, figure out which classes transfer, get classes, make travel arrangements, living arrangements, play summer ball, move and be ready to roll in August. Yeeehaaaa.
My son was at the same JUCO as FoxDad's son, though not at the same time. During the fall, there was an annual JUCO showcase where all of the teams in the region came together and played 2 games each in addition to running 60's and infield/outfield work. Many four year colleges attended this event every year.
Also during the fall, a scrimmage DH was played against a four year school with other colleges invited to attend. Additionally, some four year schools attended fall practices and intersquad games.
In the spring, some mid-week games were scheduled against D3's. Four year schools started showing up late in the spring to look at players. And then, a ton of schools show up for the conference tournament.
RJM posted:What if a kid is playing for an ordinary program not in a baseball hotbed and he's a definite D3 talent. What does he do to get exposure?
No worries there. If it is in a competitive region (D2 Region X) like my son's JuCo was, the D2/D3/NAIA coaches will be in attendance at late season games and some of the "showcase" tournaments as well as the regional tournament. As Stafford indicated the JuCo coach does a good job ensuring the various D2/D3/NAIA coaches are aware of their schedule.
That said, I wouldn't leave it completely in the JuCo's coaches hands. As mentioned it wouldn't hurt the player to reach out to any school they are interested in transferring to. It's very much like the process while in HS.
At four year D1's they hold scout day for the benefit of prospective pro players. Do JuCo's hold something similar for any four year college recruiting coaches to attend?
Out of curiosity I looked up pitchers on 2013 rosters from California's JC's. I was shocked by the HIGH percentage of pitchers that continued on to play at 4 year colleges. Even the low inning guys with poor stats seemed to find a home at a 4yr school.
RJM posted:At four year D1's they hold scout day for the benefit of prospective pro players. Do JuCo's hold something similar for any four year college recruiting coaches to attend?
Yes, at least several do that I am aware of. Also, I recall son telling me of occasional random coach visits during the fall workouts, more so during intersquad and fall games.
RJM posted:At four year D1's they hold scout day for the benefit of prospective pro players. Do JuCo's hold something similar for any four year college recruiting coaches to attend?
Hear in FL they have Juco showcases.
RJM posted:Do JuCo's hold something similar for any four year college recruiting coaches to attend?
At least two in my area that I know of. There can be "scouts" from D1/D2/D3 and MLB, depending on the prospects. Two kids were drafted from the one JuCo last year, and others went to all 3 NCAA divisions.
All the position player starters and a couple of pitchers on my son's below 500 JUCO played pro, D1 or D2. In CA most the D2 coaches don't really make much noise until the end of the season as they don't want to waste their time on a kid going pro or D1, they wait and see.
I believe CA also has a fall showcase event/game for selected players. My son also attended a January D1 camp at the request of a coach who wanted to see him play. He was the only JC guy at the camp, but JC players can attend camps.
There are a lot of ways to be seen at a JC.
CollegeParentNoMore posted:I believe CA also has a fall showcase event/game for selected players. My son also attended a January D1 camp at the request of a coach who wanted to see him play. He was the only JC guy at the camp, but JC players can attend camps.
Yup...CA has fall showcases coming up for eligible sophomores. 10/1 in Norcal and 10/2 in SoCal. 4 year colleges will definitely be in attendance.
In my town, the local JC, which is the smallest in the state, routinely sends 8-10 players per year on to 4-year colleges, many of them D1's.
I hope someone benefits from all this good information provided. I was just curious. Thanks for responding.
Went and took a look concerning my last statement. Except for 2009, our local small JC has placed non fewer than13 players each year into 4-year programs. IN 2009, it only placed nine, but five of those were to D1's. Additionally, during that time period, nine were drafted and signed so aren't part of the equation.
Havanajay,
can you describe for the HS web site, the 10/1 and 10/2 California JC Showcases.
Location and format. As we discussed, the players are scouted by over 200 professional scouts and college coaches.
Parents and players of HS Juniors and Seniors should attend to evaluate the talent level.
Bob
Santa Rosa
Consultant posted:Havanajay,
can you describe for the HS web site, the 10/1 and 10/2 California JC Showcases.
Location and format. As we discussed, the players are scouted by over 200 professional scouts and college coaches.
Parents and players of HS Juniors and Seniors should attend to evaluate the talent level.
Bob
Santa Rosa
The showcase seems to be only for "California College Sophomores".
http://www.cccbca.com/landing/index
Saturday 10/1 @ Mt. SAC (SoCal)
Sunday 10/2 @ Cosumnes River (NorCal)
I couldn't tell you first hand as my son is currently a sophomore and , if he attends, will be his first JC showcase. I could expand my experience after 10/2.
Habana jay, please describe your impressions of this tournament for the current HS players. It is always important to evaluate like a pro scout
Bob
My son is a freshman at a mid major D-1 school. This weekend they are hosting a JUCO showcase tournament with 10 different schools playing. A buddy of mine was there on Friday night and he said there were at least 40 scouts and 4 years schools represented.
I have also seen where several of the JUCO's do have a scout day as well.
My 2017 son's team played against a community college Saturday. Saw a guy from one of the local 4 year universities there with his radar gun looking at the cc pitcher.
A lot of the cc players looked like they should have been able to play at 4 year universities. I'm wondering why some guys end up playing at 2 year community colleges instead?
2ndMarDiv postedA lot of the cc players looked like they should have been able to play at 4 year universities. I'm wondering why some guys end up playing at 2 year community colleges instead?
1. The top players at JUCOs are trying to improve their draft status with a year of college.
2. The next tier are D1 drop downs (4-2-4's). Didn't work out at the D1 their freshman year and they want to transfer to another school without sitting a year. So, they play their Soph season at the JUCO.
3. The next group are players who want to improve their options of where they play at the four year level. May have not had much recruitment interest coming out of high school.
4. And then there are the guys who didn't have good grades and need to go the juco route for academics. Baseball wise they can fit any of the three categories above.
Maturity. Players may not be ready for the 4 year college and need the 2 years at the California JC.
The local JC includes players from Sonoma County and "cross overs" from SSU.
SRJC baseball is ranked #1 in the State and #8 Academically in USA.
Mr Havana's son is at the #2 ranked team in the State.
Local HS players desire to play on a winning team and to learn the game. When they are ready for the 4 year, they are prepared both academic and athletically.
Alumni from SRJC 1990 team - include a pro scout and former MLB player; the Diamondbacks Ass't GM; the current 1st base coach for the Chicago Cubs; the Minor League Farm Director for the Cubs; HS Athletic Director and the MLB Promotions Director for SSK.
Bob
Good roundup by Stafford.
I think there is one more category: These are good to very good players who have not been recruited much, and possibly not put much effort into recruiting. They go Juco because it's inexpensive, or because it has a 2 year program they want to complete, or because it's where their friends have gone, or because they haven't figured out what they want to do when they grow up, or some combination of these. For many of these kids, Juco is like an extension of their HS years, and you see them at their HS football games every Friday night.
After completing Juco, those who are not heavily recruited by D1 or D2 may accept offers from far-off D3 and NAIA schools, but they are equally likely to hang up their cleats and finish their degrees at a state school.
Son's JC just had their Scout Day last week. 10 D-1's attended and bunch of other schools, along with Pro Scouts too. They did 60's, throwing, fielding, and a scrimmage where the pitchers each pitched to 4 batters.
Because of this showcase, son and 2 teammates were invited and attended Saturday's football game at a D-1. Hopefully, things start heating up...
