My son is a 2019 graduate. We are so far behind and I don't really have a good idea of where to start. I have pieces of the puzzle, but I feel like there's a lot missing.
He's currently about 5'8" at 15. He doesn't seem like he's done growing, but he could be based on genetics (some height on my side but Dad is Alaska Native and they tend to not be as tall). Pitcher, first base. This past summer, first yr in HS and Legion, he played all over the place -- 2nd, outfield, 1st, some pitching. His high school only had a varsity team and he started for most of the season. His Legion team has a very young AA team and he ended up starting for them as well but played on the A team too.
We have heard from multiple coaches that he's good. The problem is that we live in Fairbanks, Alaska. The pool of players is very small. The coaches are either guys who've been doing this a long time (and a lot who should quit already!), or guys who rotate in and out, often with the military. His high school coach is an older guy who really should retire and let someone younger who actually cares take over. His Legion coaches are okay, but not great and too busy. We have no stats at all. No pitching, fielding, batting, etc.
He's played in-state travel ball, so he's been seen in Alaska. Not really a baseball state. He hasn't done any showcases or camps outside of Alaska. He loves the game and wants to keep playing. I enjoy baseball but I"m no expert, and neither is his father. We also don't have a ton of financial resources to put into this. And absolutely no experience. One of our daughters swims D2, but at the local university, and they recruited her. Based on that, my son seems to think that D2 is a reasonable expectation, but from what I've read and seen, I'm guessing we should be thinking JC.
He's a decent student -- typical sophomore who doesn't take it all seriously yet. Great at math but not inclined towards engineering or anything like that. I have been trying to stress to him that grades matter a LOT when it comes to having choices with higher ed. I recently mentioned sports management to him -- he loved the idea and had never heard of it. I could see him being a stats guy or something like that.
So, where do we start? What kinds of camps/showcases do we look into? How do we start compiling stats? How do we start figuring out where to even look and consider? He wants this so bad and I don't even know if it's realistic for him or not.
If you made it through this novel, thanks. If I've violated any rules here, please let me know.