Long time viewer first time poster. My 2015 RHP/OF is in his biggest year as you're all aware. After all the blood, sweat and tears, this is his time to make his dream of playing college baseball a reality. He has made many sacrafices and I'm proud to say that he still loves the game. I'm looking forward to seeking advice from this group and sharing our experiences along this journey.
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Welcome and best of luck, all while enjoying the ride... You can learn a whole lot here. My 2017 son is not yet hitting the rapids, but it will be here soon enough!
Welcome.
Make a plan and work the plan.
Good luck with your son. I felt the same anxiety my son's junior year. I had the same anxiety at his las High School game and still no interest. The one thing we always had was determination and belief. If you get an offer, awesome. If not, don't be discouraged and keep the attack on. Never sit idle and wait for them to come. Figure out a strategy to be seen by a school that meets the needs of your son's skillset.
Thanks to all for the advice. After playing high level club baseball for the past 4 years, he took off this fall to focus on my academics (3.7 GPA), prepare for the SAT (took PSAT and will take SAT in May), attend a couple college camps (scout and TCU), and work on his strength (sitting 82-84mph), speed (6.9 x 60) and flexibility (6'2 & 175). The decision we're facing now is whether to play club ball this summer or be a free agent and attend camps and jump on a PG headed team. Also the pitcher only vs OF as well decision. Lots of pros and cons to consider.
82-84 for RHP is not going to attract many scouts, unless he is a sidearmer, or has some other unique value (unhittable pitch, etc.)...so you may want to focus on OF, along with letting them know he also pitches....all colleges need "innings eaters",. At this point, you should know whether he is a stronger position player, or pitcher. On the strong club team he was recently with, where was he in the pitching rotation, and offensive #'s compared to the others on his team? That would be a good indication of where he strength is...if he was on a very top club team, playing against the best club teams out there, you would have a good gauge as to whether his skills as a pitcher, or position player stood out the most when compared to other top talent.
As for going it alone, or playing club team, I would say if that a top club team at the 2015 age group would be playing almost exclusively heavily scouted event, and PG showcases. If they are not, then I am sure there are some in your area that would, that would be worth looking into. The big advantage of high end club teams, is they each should have one or two individuals who are in charge of "selling" their prospects,....they have relationships they have built over the years with college scouts, and they can get talent looked at, and more important offered. That would be tough to accomplish by just going it along. You still can get him in front of scouts, but unless he really stands out at the camps, or PG style events, a good club team also proactively markets their players.
Back foot slider - thank you for your comments. Yes, he is a sidearmer-low3/4, so he does get run and sink on his ball. And yes he does need to increase his velo. He was 1 or 2 in the pitching rotation of his club team. Offensive numbers were in the top third, avg., rbi's, lead team in stolen bases. Your comments on going at it alone and club are very insighful.
ATX2015,
Welcome!
I'm not sure I understand the strategy to take the Fall baseball off in junior year in the "biggest year" (your words). He's isn't taking the SAT until May, although he can take it sooner. I'm just not following you on that.
Have you discussed goals & priorities with your son? In other words what is driving the bus here...baseball or academics? I understand both are important, but which is most important? There is no wrong answer. Are you going to wait for May 2012 SAT results to determine those priorities? I've seen some folks get a leg up on academic baseball recruiting by nailing their SATs earlier (January )than when most people take them. Their SAT scores becomes an immediate door opener for the right type of recruit.
FWIW - We tried both the national travel team (very successful team) approach and the go it alone academic showcases approach. My RHP son was one of two primary starting pitchers on his travel team, and he was throwing in the 86-88mph range with an occasional burst into low 90s when he wanted to let it fly. At that time, he threw three pitches. The D1 interest was modest at best, but not overwhelming at large PG events. He is a control & movement pitcher so he didn't wow many coaches or scouts. Contrast that with the summer between junior and senior year, and Fall of senior year when he decided to focus on individual academic showcases and camps. The interest was overwhelming. So, in our case understanding where my son's strengths lie was very important (for him) to find a program at the next level.
Good luck!
Fenwaysouth, the reasoning for not playing on a fall ball team was to ensure there was something in the tank next fall. Thought was to not burn innings on the mound now in order to stay around 100 innings thru Varsity ball and club ball this season. To take or wait on the SAT could fill another thread. :-) And still have a few innings left over for fall prospect camps if needed. His priority is baseball now. We discussed the value of an undergrad degree in today's real world and the importance graduate studies. Thank you for your insights on your own son.
