My observations after attending college showcases...

About right!

I heard one college coach say that he had coached a college team made up of all high school shortstops, except for the battery. In other words, all of the outfielders were former shortstops. So we know who he was watching.

The former catcher from my son's high school is now a D1 outfielder.

What I pieced together from that very limited information is that some colleges don't focus on recruiting outfielders. Sounds like your observations support that theory.

PS, for those of you whose sons play in the outfield (or in the infield in positions other than ss), I'm not saying they aren't/won't/weren't recruited as outfielders (or infielders).

Regarding Showcases(specifically PG) when they measure the infielder's throwing velocity do they have the fielder throw from their position? ie 2B velocity from 2B position and 3B from 3B or all infielders placed at SS and measured from SS.

Also at PG how many balls typically will an infielder get(six and done or a few rounds)

Lastly How many D1 college coaches would be in attendence at a regional PG showcase such as Sunshine East? I would think a national showcase would have hundreds but what about your typical upperclass regional type?

Thanks

1. Half of a roster is made up of pitchers so clearly focus number 1.

2. A great catcher can change the game and they are hard to find.

3. If you can hit they will find a spot for you to play.

You did not mention speed but this is the other thing they look at. Speed does not slump.

BBoy, SS and 2B throw from SS. Third basemen throw from 3rd, first basemen throw first to 3rd. Six and done. (I think it's six).

What I've heard along the way...

Second basemen are a dime a dozen.

A friend's son is a 1B. She was told numerous times that 1Bs are not recruited - they always they can convert a 3B or another position player.

But if they are natural athletes and can hit, well that's another story with a happier ending. The 2B and the 1B will be playing college ball come August.

Edit - BOF is right about speed. And I will tell you from personal experience that sometimes a scout will just like (or dislike) the way a player carries himself, regardless of position. As has been said here a million times...you never know who's watching...or when.

Hitting; they are looking to see bat speed and the sound off the bat. They want to see a mechanically good swing. The guys that can hit, the ball just sounds different off their bat.

Also, they want to see how kids take pitches, especially curve balls in the dirt. If you can't lay off a high school curve ball down low well then....

Pitchers and catchers have unique skills. After that it's about tools. It's not about the kid playing center. It's about his hitting, running/sixty time and throwing/velocity. If a kid throws righthanded and plays short chances are he's the most talented non catching position player on the team. My son played third and short in high school before switching to center. He promotes himself as a player who can play six positions and pitch.

From what I have observed they are looking for "plus, plus skills" where a kid really stands out from the rest. Plus hitttng power, runnign speed, MPH on his fastball, etc. Then I think they start digging into character and make-up.

They are looking for the players who stand out from the rest of the players there. How does a player stand out? He shows tools above those present. Speed, arm strength, fielding actions, ability to make consistent hard contact, power, batspeed, fluid consistent swing.

When you have seen it before you know it when you see it again. If your son does just as good as everyone else he is simply blending in with everyone else. When he has a tool or tools that makes him stand out above everyone else then he will be noticed.

Of course they bore in on the pitchers. We all know how important pitching is. And of course they bore in on lhp. We all know how important lhp is. Catchers- its a skill specific position. And every program needs at least 3 guys that can play there. There are certain things your looking for in inf's. Do their infield fielding actions translate to the college game? Do they have good feet? Do they have soft hands? Do they have the ability to throw from different angles? Do they have arm strength? Do they play through the baseball? Do they have the fielding actions of a player that can play at your level of play?

OF's are watched, arm strength, what was his 60's, how did he hit? The kid that may not project as your SS may project as your CF. The guy that may not be able to get it done at 3B may project as your RF. Etc etc.

Tools and the ability to use those tools is what they are looking for. If you dont show the tools to stand out on the field with other hs players your not going to have the tools to play on a field with college players. Some can get it done with one outstandig tool and other average tools. The more tools you show that stand out the more valuable you are and the more you will stand out.

The 60 will be the first thing done many times. If you run a 7.8 and your listed as a mif and your 5'9 150 your right they are not going to write anything down as they are evaluating the mif's during drills. How well you field is not going to matter. Your not going to be capable of covering the ground and making the plays at their level of play. If your a catcher and you throw a 2.4 they are not going to be spending much time evaluating you catching the pens.

If you want to stand out at a showcase you must separate yourself from the other kids. And in order to do that you must show a tool or tools that will do just that.