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Hi All, This is long, very sorry.  But we SO much appreciate any help if you know about this subject.

My son, a Junior/2022 was something of a late bloomer. Now, (May 2021) is 6'4", 225lbs, very athletic broad shouldered build, though not ā€œfull grown manā€ ultra muscular yet. (Donā€™t get me wrong - heā€™s jacked - just not full grown strong yet) Pre-Covid had not gotten much recruiting action, but has grown a lot, and with 106EV & 86AV - and just recently started all of a sudden to get communications from mid D1ā€™s & ranked D2ā€™s.. Was becoming a truly effective pitcher as well, though probably most valuable for his bat & size I would guess. His defense, his passion, his gamer/ā€œdo whatever it takesā€ & ā€œall inā€ mentality all seem positives as well.

Last week, at a HS game in temps in the 40s, he was put in the middle of a game to pitch without his normal warm-up routine. He should've said something to the coach but being eager to please & not having the guts to say ā€œno, I need my warm-upā€ or whatever. Six consecutive strikeouts later - against a team that up to that point was having us for lunch - & my son just walked off the mound.

Turns out he had torn his UCL & will need surgery to continue baseball at any high level. He had worked SO hard. And with that one moment, this upcoming Summer FULL of showcase tournaments, college visits & camps - & Fall & rest of this recruiting year has just disappeared before his eyes.. (maybe early next year too - depending on the type of surgery he will have - repair vs full TJ)

His main focus is baseball. As long as he maintains good academics we are ok with that. He does have other interests, but wants to pursue baseball as far as it can go.  Not looking to debate ā€œcollege should be firstā€ just for help on how to continue to have the best baseball opportunity possible.

We are in Pennsylvania, so I don't know what the reality is of HS re-classing. He only played freshman ball as a freshman, which in the past didn't count as far as his four years of high school eligibility.. But, from the little I've read & heard, that has changed it seems - so the choice would be a private high school - or the more likely scenario, the "PG" year.

He is still 16, so I don't have a problem with an extra year before starting college. I know some argue ā€œlosing a year in the workforceā€, but weā€™re not won over with that one. I played music on the road until I was 30 & now am financially more than just fine.  He has plenty of years left to go be that hamster on the work/life wheel, but only a limited number of years remaining to play baseball.  Again, am not here to debate that.

All that said, I have read the few threads that exist on PG years & can't say I completely understand all of the ramifications & how it would work as far as that extra year & recruiting..

So a bunch of random questions if anyone can answer any of them we would both be SO grateful.  šŸ¤—



- Does he now somehow ā€œbecome a 2023ā€ for recruiting purposes? (Currently 2022) HOW? What does he need to to become a ā€œ2023ā€ - list himself as 2023 or ā€œPG2023ā€ (or something?) and how would we ā€œsayā€ that on sites like PerfectGame or PBR, etc (his own web/social pages) - where he already has a profile/info? WILL they then list him as a 2023? (Or ?)



- What about NCAA? Does he notify NCAA & somehow change that with them? (He already has an NCAA ID with expected/stated Grad year 2022)



- How do colleges view elbow repair - or reconstruction (TJ) ? I mean in college heā€™s 99%+ likely to be a position player - not a P - so itā€™s the rest of it;  bat, defense, etc. and as long as he can return to throwing mid 80's, that part should be ok.  



- Should he reach out to any coaches he has communicated with & tell them heā€™s planning an extra year before starting into college - and the ā€œwhyā€?



- He is 16U eligible this year (but playing 17U) so should he play on the best 17U tournament team he can next Summer to try to be ā€œrecruitedā€ then? (Or play 18U?)



- IF recruited next year, could/should he do a PG Fall semester, then start at that college in the January semester as a redshirt, & practice/workout with the team & hopefully have them help get him into a Summer team that next year?



- OR do a full year PG program?



- Ok, try not to laugh at us - but how does any of this affect his chances to be drafted? Yes, I know how long of a shot that is - but with his size & bat there is that snowballā€™s chance, & why not try?



- Will his SAT & GPA still work for him after that PG year? (currently 1340 as of Junior Fall but if he actually does some prep & re-takes could maybe get that magic 1400+ and his GPA will likely be something like 3.9-4.2 weighted)



- DO any of these PG programs give any partial scholarships? I have looked at IMG, which is insane to me & Combine - which even that, non-boarding, is $30k (yikes!) We expect to pay & we are fine to pay, but, - ideally - not that much. FIBA (Sarasota) for example lists a PG program (non-boarding) for $15k & says ā€œscholarships availableā€ - that is closer to more like it. Also Elev8 ā€œelevateā€ in Delray Beach is another one Iā€™ve found.. BUT there HAS to be many more of these who donā€™t optimize their website for Google search (lol) that I have yet to find.



- Donā€™t need this extra year for academics.. I think heā€™s decently positioned to get into many colleges - & if he gets SAT to 1400+ then I'd think he would be attractive to even more schools. BUT - definitely think missing this Junior-Senior Summer - especially after COVID recruiting year lost - having this extra year will be a positive. PLUS, the additional maturity & extra baseball focus wonā€™t hurt either.



So - thoughts, info, anything you can tell us on this subject & it's nuances would be most genuinely appreciated.

THANK YOU SO MUCH !! ā¤ļø

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I am sorry about your sons injury.

You actually had me until you got to the draft part. Really, are you kidding me?

Have the surgery asap, make sure you have a legit guy do it and a legit place for rehab. Your son has all summer and next year to get into shape and explore options, that should be the priority. Don't take a PG year unless he is advised to by his academic counselors or someone who can guide you through the process because you are all over the place.

Good luck.

@TPM posted:

You actually had me until you got to the draft part. Really, are you kidding me?



No.. nor are any of us kidding ourselves that thatā€™s likely.  But, all I was asking was, do either of these things (PG/reclassifying)  have any bearing on that.   Totally realize itā€™s an ultra-longshot, but, doesnā€™t mean itā€™s impossible.

In fact, his (blood) uncle, who was a starting tight end in the NFL with two rings, told us that he should be keeping that kind of thing in mind.

Thatā€™s all, sorry if that was somehow offensive.  And thank you for your reply!

ā€œthe propensity to make a change is proportional to the number of paragraphs written about the current situationā€

Just a casual observation but it seems like youā€™ve already made up your mind to reclass to 2023. Maybe internalizing that will help reduce your uncertainty and anxiety some.

Then, how about asking his travel ball coaches these questions? If theyā€™re experienced Iā€™m sure theyā€™ve dealt with this before esp during these covid times.  

@DD 2024 posted:

Just a casual observation but it seems like youā€™ve already made up your mind to reclass to 2023. Maybe internalizing that will help reduce your uncertainty and anxiety some.

Then, how about asking his travel ball coaches these questions? If theyā€™re experienced Iā€™m sure theyā€™ve dealt with this before esp during these covid times.  

Indeed youā€™re correct - given the very limited information Iā€™ve found regarding somehow getting an extra year of high school - yes, Iā€™m currently inclined to think PG to be the most likely course..  This was really more of a ā€œhow does all this workā€œ & ā€œhas anyone done itā€œ & ā€œwhat was your experienceā€œ kind of question. But I do appreciate the psychoanalysis - I need it!

And I do intend to ask his travel ball coaches about this, though donā€™t think this is a situation theyā€™ve been in all that often. Given the magnitude of the situation I just thought this was a place where I might receive good information. I will be asking as many people as will listen to try to make an informed decision.

Do feel bad though, as I hadnā€™t intended for people to feel compelled to reply who really didnā€™t have any information on the PG topic itself, and am genuinely sorry for wasting anyoneā€™s time doing just that.

@YachtRocker posted:

No.. nor are any of us kidding ourselves that thatā€™s likely.  But, all I was asking was, do either of these things (PG/reclassifying)  have any bearing on that.   Totally realize itā€™s an ultra-longshot, but, doesnā€™t mean itā€™s impossible.

In fact, his (blood) uncle, who was a starting tight end in the NFL with two rings, told us that he should be keeping that kind of thing in mind.

Thatā€™s all, sorry if that was somehow offensive.  And thank you for your reply!

Your son is 16, needs TJS and you are wondering how surgery will affect a draft outcome because his uncle played football?

Of course  players with TJS get college scholarships and get drafted. It's about having the talent needed for that level.   So take care of the injury first, after his recovery and you see how he is, you can worry about that stuff.

@TPM posted:

Your son is 16, needs TJS and you are wondering how surgery will affect a draft outcome because his uncle played football?

Of course  players with TJS get college scholarships and get drafted. It's about having the talent needed for that level.   So take care of the injury first, after his recovery and you see how he is, you can worry about that stuff.

Definitely not looking to get into it like this with you.  I was just looking for some information. The question was whether reclassifying technically somehow affects ones ability to be drafted in any way.. thatā€™s it.

it wasnā€™t asking if people who get TJS can continue to play at a higher level, or whatever your inference was.

My brother was only trying to help me ask the right questions.. just trying not to make any mistakes.

seems like a question I shouldā€™ve asked elsewhere.

@YachtRocker posted:

Indeed youā€™re correct - given the very limited information Iā€™ve found regarding somehow getting an extra year of high school - yes, Iā€™m currently inclined to think PG to be the most likely course..  This was really more of a ā€œhow does all this workā€œ & ā€œhas anyone done itā€œ & ā€œwhat was your experienceā€œ kind of question. But I do appreciate the psychoanalysis - I need it!

And I do intend to ask his travel ball coaches about this, though donā€™t think this is a situation theyā€™ve been in all that often. Given the magnitude of the situation I just thought this was a place where I might receive good information. I will be asking as many people as will listen to try to make an informed decision.

Do feel bad though, as I hadnā€™t intended for people to feel compelled to reply who really didnā€™t have any information on the PG topic itself, and am genuinely sorry for wasting anyoneā€™s time doing just that.

A top SEC coach told a friend of mine, if the kid isnā€™t a stud player right now he should just move on to college. Stud players should consider a PG year.

@YachtRocker posted:

Definitely not looking to get into it like this with you.  I was just looking for some information. The question was whether reclassifying technically somehow affects ones ability to be drafted in any way.. thatā€™s it.

it wasnā€™t asking if people who get TJS can continue to play at a higher level, or whatever your inference was.

My brother was only trying to help me ask the right questions.. just trying not to make any mistakes.

seems like a question I shouldā€™ve asked elsewhere.

The answer is no, getting reclassified has nothing to do with getting drafted. Talent has everything to do with getting drafted.

I am just suggesting that you get his arm taken care of first.

A player doesnā€™t get drafted on performance. He gets drafted on metrics. Check out Heath Hembree on Baseball Cube. His college stats are brutal. But he threw 95. Heā€™s in his 9th MLB season.

Draft year is when youā€™re 21. A junior in high school has four years to get his arm in shape and get his velocity back. Make it the priority. Getting back to 90 will get him recruited by a mid major.

Note: Freshman and JV count as a year of high school baseball. He could transfer to the Inter-Ac. But I donā€™t believe theyā€™re big on a player entering to repeat junior year and not being able to play. Theyā€™re not PG schools. You would be using them like a PG to extend eligibility. If your son is a solid academic student he doesnā€™t need extra school. He needs to rehab and get back on the field in the summer and/or fall after senior year and showcase,

Last edited by RJM

Yes, reclassifying *could* negatively affect the draft.

There was a player at my son's college that did a post grad year at Phillips Exeter.  He was drafted out of college as a senior.  After playing the first summer in milb, with a bunch of recent junior draftees that were 2 year younger PLUS all the foreign guys that were much much younger, he saw the writing on the wall and "voluntarily retired" after his one summer.  But he got drafted and gets to say he played pro ball successfully.  (I just checked his stats).

EDIT:  I just read TPM's and RJM's posts that posted while I was typing (and erasing).  The fellow mentioned above was very talented, but was older.  He was drafted.....26th round....and as they say, he got "airfare home" as a bonus.   Draft year is age 21.  (You can get drafted as a 21 year old sophomore in college, too).

Last edited by keewart
@keewart posted:

Try to keep first things first.  Get your son patched up.  Get the best doc and rehab you can.

Yes, we are doing that - He's had MRI & MRArthogram & we have a MLB team's medical director that we are consulting with directly who is a family friend, as well as a second surgeon looking at him as well..  We are in very good shape there.

But, and this might seem crazy, somehow I'm actually able to do more than one thing at a time.  šŸ˜

I was simply trying to think ahead & get some freaking answers about the possibilities of, & how to handle potentially planning, a post grad year..

.. Anybody know anything about THAT?

@YachtRocker posted:

Yes, we are doing that - He's had MRI & MRArthogram & we have a MLB team's medical director that we are consulting with directly who is a family friend, as well as a second surgeon looking at him as well..  We are in very good shape there.

But, and this might seem crazy, somehow I'm actually able to do more than one thing at a time.  šŸ˜

I was simply trying to think ahead & get some freaking answers about the possibilities of, & how to handle potentially planning, a post grad year..

.. Anybody know anything about THAT?

You are feeling like these answers are unsatisfactory because people on here are telling you to focus on taking care of your son and his here-and-now injury, while you are asking about the downstream effects of his injury and rehabilitation on recruiting, eligibility, position on the field, redshirting, scholarships, test scores, and the MLB draft.  

.......

Take care of your son. He is so much more than a baseball player. He needs your support during surgery and rehab. And if an extra year of school helps him heal better before he resumes playing baseball than so be it.

@YachtRocker my son is at a school that has a post grad program. They are placing some players but no matter how you cut it, it's an expensive way to buy time and doesn't always translate into better outcomes (some still didn't get offers, some are going to JUCO or CCs and I don't know what kind of money they are getting when they go D3-D1). It also really seems like a shame to do a PG year given your son's academic profile. With his grades and scores, it seems like you can target HA schools and work with his travel team and/or high school coach to initiate some conversations so that he is on teams' radars once he comes back. If his size and metrics translate into in-game performance, he will be the rare bird that will get noticed even late in the recruiting game. I know it's not the norm but I know a 2021 who just signed with USC (Southern California). Definitely communicate with the teams he is already in touch with. Don't necessarily signal an extra HS year unless you are absolutely sure he needs it. Unfortunately, TJ is so much more common than it used to be that I don't think it will turn away as many people as you think. A close family friend of ours tore her ACL her junior year and is still considered the top women's basketball recruit in the 2021 class (headed to UConn).

Please just do me a favor, don't rush him back so that he can be seen. I echo everyone's sentiments about getting him the best care (which it seems like you are) and make sure his focus is on getting healthy and not worrying about college baseball other than using it as a focus for his rehab. I know it doesn't seem like it now but while injuries can seem completely devastating at the time, in the end they can set a player on the right path and s/he will see long-term blessings in the temporary pain. Don't tell RockerJr. that right now though...he might want to punch you in the face if you do. LOL

One other thought. It seems as thought you've conflated PG and reclassing. If he decides to "redo" his junior year at a private school, then you would reclass him and change his graduation grade to 2023. You would be on the hook for two years of private school. If you decide you are going to do  a PG year, from what I understand, he would stay a 2022 until he goes to the new school and then he would be a PG. It would actually give you a chance to see how things shake out and you might decide you don't need a PG year.

Finally, on the draft, I'm no expert but from everything I've read age will not hurt you vis-Ć -vis the draft. It does give you less "time" to make it into the Majors (all things equal a team will give the 22 year old the benefit of the doubt over the 27 year old). I would not factor the draft into any decisions you make because there are so many steps before you get there.  As a parent with a draft eligible senior, it's stressful enough when it's upon you and you HAVE to think about it. Try not to think about it before you have to or you will go crazy.  That's just my two cents.

Wishing your son all the best through his surgery and rehab.

Last edited by PTWood

If the answer was YES, it would ruin his draftability, you would still get it done.   So there is no point asking.  the reality is his ability will decide if he is drafted. Zero chance without the surgery.

Get him repaired and then evaluate your next move.   One year PG would be more affordable than two years reclassified at a private.   Also a year at a JUCO might be the best option to demonstrate recovery and ability post surgery.  Google Rick at Informed Athlete and schedule a consultation.

Sorry to hear about your kid. It seems you have the surgeon and post therapy worked out which is good. All I would suggest is to get a second opinion and other week will not change things. I see more and more travel baseball orgs are now in the "PG academy" business. It is tens of thousands of dollars and can provide the exposure. Good luck

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