one year at a JUCO?

They will only offer your son a 1 year scholarship anyway, so all is fair when it comes down to transferring. Scholarships are up for renewals and negations after every year. Usually kids who go to a JUCO stay for the 2 years. Just remember, a college coach can snatch away a scholarship when ever he wants..

It is very hard to just spend just one year at a JUCO and be offered a chance to move to a D1.  Most D1 coaches will not offer you till you have spent 2 seasons at the JUCO, the reason being it is not fair to the JUCO coach who recruited you and plans on having your son for 2 years and the D1 coaches do not want to get in a bad relationship with the JUCO coach for "stealing" his players.  Is it done?  Yes, on occasion but it is very rare.  One coach actually offered my son during the fall of his freshman year at a JUCO and the JUCO coach was very upset with that coach.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about this.

My son's story is not typical, his JUCO coach resigned after his freshman season and he received several offers.  In almost every case the offering coaches said if the coach was still there they would not have offered.  He signed with a strong mid major program in state for his sophomore year, and this year, his junior year they made the NCAA regionals and he was drafted by the Reds.  Very few of his JUCO teammates made it to D1, maybe two others, one one walked on.  The rest either ended their careers or went D2 or 3.  I do not recommend the JUCO path to D1, you have to be very lucky (we were) or very good.

 Whether its one year or three, most of the JC coaches are there to get their players to the next level. Many JCs get 4-2-4 transfers for one year, I think it really depends upon the coach as to whether or not he's offended by a kid transferring after one year.  If you are concerned about this issue, talk to the JC coach about it before your son enrolls... Having said that, many kids that aren't ready for D-1 find they are redshirting at the JC anyway and leaving after 1 year is not an issue.....

 

If he doesn't show D-1 skills at the JC, he can still go D2, D3 etc. when he is done at the JC.  Every starting player on my son's JC team moved on. 1 to D1, 1 to proball the rest to D2.

 

My son was a 4-2-4 and only spent one semester at the JC.  Coach had no problem with it.

 

One consideration is the transfer guidelines to a DI as far as scholastics.  That may not be an issue (I can't remember), but would be something you need to know and be prepared for.  My son played JUCO 2 years, transferred to a DII for his junior year and then transferred to NAIA his senior year where he was drafted.  He did have several teammates from JUCO move on to DII schools.  Only had one committed to a DI school, but he was drafted in the 3rd round his second year at JUCO.  So many different roads to get where you are going.  Good luck!!!!!!!

I would recommend JUCO to any player, an attend for 2 years.  My son went the JUCO route an it paid off.  If he would have gone to D1 as freshmen he would have sat first year and limited playing time second year.  Now he has 2 years of D1 JUCO under his belt and far ahead of the others his age that went straight to D1's. 

 

Funny story, was at son's summer game, was talking to parent who was very upset that her son, who had little playing 1st year, reliever/spot starter for non conference games 2nd, an was told could be weekend starter this coming season was going to be put back in the pen because of a JUCO showing up and taking the weekend starter spot.  As it turn out they are going to same school and she was talking about my son.  I tried to explain to her but she didn't get it, kept saying her son has paid his dues an was his turn to start. 

I said it before, coaches are always looking for up grades, I think a JUCO with 2 years experience is going to be better than a kid with limited playing the first two years. 

An to top off there were two scouts, Royals and Gaints, at game watching my son, an she asked about it. I told her that my son has been pitching with a high level JUCO for two years, not sitting on the bench waiting, she really got mad then. 

That is a little of our story and it worked for us, Junior has two season experience at college level an most players his age don't.

Its really all about playing time. I have two stories, First my oldest, went to a respected D1 in a good conference. Played every game as a freshman, named conference Rookie of the year, went on to have a great college career and was drafted high.   Then my other son, who didn't like the couple offers he got from D1s, decided to go to JUCO, but seeks out and gets a couple offers from Top D1 teams (both in the CWS this year) after his first year.   But at the D1 he is only in the bullpen, and then was told his time would be limited as a Jr.    He transfers to a NAIA school, becomes their #1 starter, Sets school records and gets drafted fairly high.

 

There's all kinds of routes.   But sitting on the bench is not one of them

What I have learned is this....

"You gotta go where there will be playing time" to continue developing.

If that is a JUCO, then go that route.

Here is my sons (2013) experience to date.

My son's original goal was to play D1 level.

He will be attending a D1 JUCO to get PT to continue his development.

He did receive  very good $$ offers from multiple JUCO's.

He/We talked to several JUCO's and not one (in TX anyway) had any issues in him leaving in one year, IF, he gets a D1 offer.

Every coach stated that they are all about development of the players so they can advance to the "next level", whatever that level may be for each player?

 

Additional background info...

My son had generated interest from a few D1 schools that he had targeted.

He attended camps, emailed/communicated with coaches,etc...with a goal of attending/playing one of these D1 school.

Consensus from the D1 schools... he got only one legit $$ offer.

4 other D1 schools all offered  him a spot as a "walk-on" or "preferred walk on".

All 4 of these programs say they feel he very well could have a future @ D1 level,IF, he continues to develop/improve. Just no $$ left to offer for 2013. He is not a pitcher.

We took that as he was just on the edge( not quite there) of D1 and needed to continue his development to reach his goal.

JUCO for 1 or 2 years was strongly suggested by multiple D1 schools so he can get PT and keep developing. The D1's said PT would be tough for him the 1st year or two?? 3 schools said they would keep an "eye on him" to see how he progresses in the next 1 to 2 years.

So JUCO route for 1 or 2 years, is the best path for my son to get to the "next level" whatever level that that might be.

This is almost exactly my sons resume and experience thus far as well!  So we passed for more playing time and good offer from D1 JUCO who says he will start and play.  I hope we are doing the right thing - everyone's comments are very insightful and much appreciated!  Keep posting your examples and opinions - thank you!

Proud Parent (typo?)/ College Parent no more have it right.

 

First you are assuming he will play a lot as a freshmen. At top JUCO's this is not necessarily the case; maybe, but maybe not. One of the reasons players go the JUCO route is for physical development and even if he is hitting the weight room hard it takes a couple of years for some kids to develop a "man" body. At least in California (which I assume is similar in Tx) he will be competing with 4-2-4 transfers, kids going the JUCO route so they can be drafted early, so don't assume he will play a lot - you have to be standing on the field looking eye-to-eye with other players to REALLY see the talent on the team. I see many HS parents/players here talk about their kid playing in college and until they actually walk out on the field and see the size, power and competition levels of other players fighting tooth and nail for that one spot it is a big assumption.

 

Finally just be aware that the JUCO recruiting typically starts at the end of the season, which for JUCO's is usually May so his recruiting may stretch into the summer all of which adds up to being there for a couple of years. College coaches want to see the results for the whole season typically. 

 

I am not saying he is not one of those special kids who does it in one year, but I would plan for two.

 

Good Luck!

good stuff!  BTW this JUCO is in upper midwest not CA or TX so assuming not a ton of draft kids but I know a couple are on the team - also what is 4-2-4?  Keep posting - my son needs to go in with eyes wide open.  THX

4-2-4 is a Kid that went to a D1(4 year school) as freshman and for whatever reason transfers. (usually playing time issues) Due to NCAA transfer regulations, typically its to a JUCO(2 year school) for soph year.  Then after a year at the JUCO tries to go back to D1 (4 year school) as a Junior.    

 

Again discuss with coach what he foresees playing time being.   Nothing is guaranteed,  But not many freshman play a big role at big D1s. 

One thing to add to the 4-2-4 My son is also doing this, starting his sophomore year. You must complete your AA degree your sophomore year to be eligible to transfer back to a four year school. So make sure they are the right track academically.

My guy went the JUCO route. Recruited Walk On offers from top ACC programs and several D2 offers (after missing his senior season due to injury). He had hoped to be drafted but that did not happen.
He felt that if he went JUCO he would be eligible each year, so that was his primary reason for choosing that route.
He ended up finishing 2 years of JUCO playing virtually every inning, and was recruited by a couple top Florida D2's.
He played 2 more good years posting decent numbers, again playing virtually every inning, and we never missed a game all 4 years! It was a great ride!
He was drafted as a senior sign in the middle rounds and is working his was through his second year at his job.
We are all quite happy with the entire experience, particularly since he was never more than 100 miles away throughout his college career.
Best of luck to you and your son and whatever decisions you make!

Well here is a wild turn of events on the recruiting roller coaster ride.  At a big tournament over the weekend my son was seen by a D1 college - one we had targeted but had shown little interest.  After seeing his performance (he had an awesome game) they called him that night and offered him their last scholarship roster spot (one they claim had just opened up).  So my son's dream to play D1 at a great academic college (and great baseball program) has just come true!  And yes because of his speed on the bases and his great ability to bunt they say he will play immediately.  Time will tell and he knows he has to work very hard -  but unbelievable turn of events! 

My son now has two offers from 1 lower level d1 and from one mid level d1 but at the same time there has been a upper level D1 that has been calling/courting him as well. (the reason why he has not yet accepted either of his offers) Now for the twist the upper level D1 school called and they want him to go to their JUCO for a year (with scholarship) and promised they would pick him up after 1 year.

 At this point we never even thought JUCO as a possibility and I am not sure what to tell my son.

My son played with a player that went through this exact scenario. A big State school wanted him, but did not believe he would get the playing time his freshman year for him to develop. But could see him getting playing time as a sophomore if he developed. They sent him to one of the JUCO's they use with good scholarship money and even used their influence to get him on a summer team. He is now at the state school as a sophomore and will start the fall season soon. He is ahead of several other sophomores who spent the freshman year on the bench or in the bull pen getting few innings. It was a good move for him and I am anxious to see how it works out for him.

Bishop

 That is pretty much exactly what the coach laid out to him. They will line up the JUCO with scholarship and promised him a spot on the following years roster for the big U. He said if he took him right away he would get limited play time where at the JUCO he could be their starter and they offer better scholarships where it would be close to a full ride.

 The JUCO is a D1 Juco ( I didnt know until yesterday they divided jucos by this) and they are a top 20 team every year so they are definitely competitive. We met with the JUCO coach at the same time we met with the U coach last month and my son liked him. Plus I was going to be really stretched by my son playing at the big U money wise (with a low scholarship offer) if I had to cover 4 years of school there so this would actually make it a easier possibility for me.

This is the path that Andre Eithier took as well. Arizona State had more players returning for their senior season than anticipated.The ASU coaching staff convinced him to go to Chandler Gilbert CC where he would get ample playing time to develop rather than ride the pine his freshman year on a loaded Sun Devil team.

 

It worked for Andre Ethier !

From reading on this I see that it is not such a uncommon route to go and the play time aspect is something we have discussed as he knows that if he starts at a big D1 his play time may be limited his first year or two. But the problem is the other mid D1 offer he has also comes with a promise of a starting position coming in as a freshmen. (I have been told to be slightly leery of these type of offers)

 

 

Our son had a wild experience when he went JUCO.  Head coach left week before school started, new coach brings in a few extra players a couple that played my son's position.  Son played some in the fall but the spring did not play, coach said he wanted to redshirt him.  Season ends and coach tells son that he has a spot on the team but as a walk-on.  Not happy with that son plays with summer team(able to play 17/18U cause of age) and gets seen by  DII school and ends up signing 2 weeks before school starts. 

 

He now understands what happens in college athletics and is not taking anything for granted.  He said he blocks/receives better now from catching bullpen at the JUCO.  Good luck to everyone!