PBR Future Games vs PG 14U National Showcase

My son did the Future Games but not the PG.  Futures Games was top notch.  There are literally hundreds of college coaches/recruiters watching bp, infield and the games.  It starts the first day with a traditional PBR showcase...which the coaches/recruiters watch....then they limit it to two games max at a time being played...I can't speak for the PG but I highly recommend the PBR Futures....if there's something out there better it has to be really good.

PG 14U Festival will open more doors than anything, in terms of early recruiting, however I would pick the PBR Futures games over the PG National Showcase at 14

You just have to be really honest with yourself:  is your 14 year old ready to be recruited by a SEC school or top Power Five school?   And is he ready to commit that early if he does get recruited?

The thing about the PBR Future games at 14 you have to understand is that, in a lot of ways it is similar to minor league Baseball.   Yes there are tons of college coaches out, but they are there to watch the very best players.  The rest of the players there are so that the very best players have kids to play games against.

If your son isn't ready to commit to a college at the age of 14, none of it really matters at all, other than it would be a fun experience and he will improve a little from the good competition....

Thank you. As mentioned he hasn't been selected for the PBR Future Games, and may not be. Currently he's listed as #1 at his position (RHP) in our state, and #4 overall for the state. As far as PBR Future Games goes, he's a 2022. I don't think they care whether his is 14 or 16 right? He's a RHP/3B. PBR has him at 84. Since then have video of him at 85.4. Which is why he's gotten interest. Honestly don't know if he's ready or would be ready to commit this summer/fall. He was invited to a school (P5) camp back in Jan and at that time decided not to go because he hadn't stepped foot on a HS field yet. He also isn't ready to give up on hitting/fielding which he knows isn't an option with a P5.

Thanks all for the info.

I think the son of member KLL went to 14U National last year. Try sending him a PM.

nycdad posted:

Thank you. As mentioned he hasn't been selected for the PBR Future Games, and may not be. Currently he's listed as #1 at his position (RHP) in our state, and #4 overall for the state. As far as PBR Future Games goes, he's a 2022. I don't think they care whether his is 14 or 16 right? He's a RHP/3B. PBR has him at 84. Since then have video of him at 85.4. Which is why he's gotten interest. Honestly don't know if he's ready or would be ready to commit this summer/fall. He was invited to a school (P5) camp back in Jan and at that time decided not to go because he hadn't stepped foot on a HS field yet. He also isn't ready to give up on hitting/fielding which he knows isn't an option with a P5.

Thanks all for the info.

Gotcha.  I apologize, I somehow (!) missed that he was a 2022, and focused on the age 14 part

Yes a 2022 RHP throwing mid 80's is going to get some recruiting interest.  That is different.   Then, yes, I would definitely go to the PBR Futures if asked...

Take a look at the roster for your PBR Region Team.  The majority of this years team SHOULD be 2021's with a select number of 2022's. Check out last year and years prior.  How many freshman were selected? Take a look at this year's uncommitted 2021's in your son's position.  How likely are they going to be selected over your son?

If invited, the PBR Future Games will have just about every D1 college present.  Not likely to be any coaches present at the PG National 14U Showcase--especially if the Future Games is going on at the same time.

But, if there is any chance your son doesn't get invited to the Future Games (and high chance he doesn't due to "only SELECT 2022's  will be invited") then by all means attend the PG National 14U Showcase.  Accept the invitation now (which means pay $) and cancel if he receives the PBR invite.  You can defer the $ to another PG Showcase later if this happens (PG will give you a credit).

Son RHP attended PBR Futures a few years ago.  It was extremely well run with the top colleges present and fully engaged.  Glad we went for the experience, outside of the 13 hour drive each way.

The reality was, however, it didn't do much for my son's recruitment.  He only topped at 83 MPH at the event, as he was a late bloomer.  There were kids throwing 90, they're the ones who got offers.  Plus, my son only wanted to play in the northeast.  While some NE schools were there, we didn't need to go to Indy to be seen by them.  We did it mainly for the experience for him to build from.

My son is a 2019 and went in 2017.  If my math adds you, your son is 1 year lower grade-wise.  So, his measurables are better than my son, so he may project better.

Go if you want a great experience, or think you can get onto some school's radars.  If you're going in hopes of an offer, make sure he's top of the class at that point.  There are parents on this board who's kids were offered as a direct result of PBR Futures, so there is a chance.

Good luck!

Thank you. Good point about the North East schools. We are in a similar boat. If anything he likely has a better chance to be seen by NE schools at the regional event.

PBR Futures is no longer in Indiana either...I believe they moved it to Florida starting this year

edcoach posted:

PBR Futures is no longer in Indiana either...I believe they moved it to Florida starting this year

Actually lakepoint I believe.

Don't ever give up opportunity at PBR but 85 is not going to turn eyes there when you are talking almost all of them will be a year older.  You will have to hope that they know he is a 2022.  My son was blessed to go as a freshman and it helped when they realized he was younger.  We got a lot of response but he is also LHP and had a great outing even though speed was down. 

Can't speak to the futures event as we've never done it, but PG National was definitely the place to be for as long as I've known. As you get older it gets even better and by the time you're an upcoming senior it's only players with draft interest. The festival is basically the All America game for the freshmen. I would assume 85 at National would give him a lot of consideration for that event. 

If your son is a freshman throwing 85, that probably puts him in the top 3% of 14 year olds. If you're not already, get him on a top level travel team and start taking him to some college games and have him see some local schools to see what he likes/does not like in a campus. If he has a decent off speed and can throw the ball around the plate he is going to get plenty of interest. Not saying he has to commit now, but if a school calls and says come down for a visit, you don't really say no. And if they say we'd love to have him here's our offer, then you have some decisions to make. 

We have been to most invite tournaments, PG Jr. National, PG Underclass All American, Area Code...PBR Futures was easily the best event for recruiting.  There were 234 coaches last year and all on two fields.  There is no where else to go so they are all there.  If your son performs well there, he will be seen.  I saw every big program there as well as some smaller.  It was well run, well attended.  I think about half of the boys on our regional team were asked to call coaches immediately following games.  My son didn't play for a high profile club team so this was huge for us.  He walked off the field with messages to call 7 schools, and accepted an offer a few days later.

Thanks, yes, I'm sure PBR gives out an itinerary which includes grad year. I know 85 isn't cutting it for a 2021, at least at those events.

He plays for one of the better travel organizations, my 2020 plays for the same and they've done well with his recruiting so I trust that part.

baseballhs posted:

We have been to most invite tournaments, PG Jr. National, PG Underclass All American, Area Code...PBR Futures was easily the best event for recruiting.  There were 234 coaches last year and all on two fields.  There is no where else to go so they are all there.  If your son performs well there, he will be seen.  I saw every big program there as well as some smaller.  It was well run, well attended.  I think about half of the boys on our regional team were asked to call coaches immediately following games.  My son didn't play for a high profile club team so this was huge for us.  He walked off the field with messages to call 7 schools, and accepted an offer a few days later.

What baseballhs says.  Also, PG National 14U National Showcase IS NOT PG National.  This years's event will only be the 3rd year of it's existence.

The PBR Future Games will be held at LakePoint (Emerson, GA) this year.

Like baseballhs's son, mine attended both PBR Future Games and PG Jr. National, WAY more coaches at PBR Future Games. So many you cannot even get close to the field to video your own kid.

Just to be clear, I HIGHLY recommend attending the PG 14U National Showcase if you receive an invite.  Unless, of course, you also receive an invite to the PBR Future Games. If that happens get a credit and attend another PG showcase later during the summer or fall.  Do well there and perhaps you will receive an invite to the PG Jr. National the following year.

ABSORBER posted:

Just to be clear, I HIGHLY recommend attending the PG 14U National Showcase if you receive an invite.  Unless, of course, you also receive an invite to the PBR Future Games. If that happens get a credit and attend another PG showcase later during the summer or fall.  Do well there and perhaps you will receive an invite to the PG Jr. National the following year.

Have the PG 14U National Showcase invite. Received on 4/28. This isn't the televised festival that's on TV end of August. I guess this is a feeder for that.

I do wonder how many have received this invite. My son has never attended a PG showcase (always opted for PBR based on price). He has participated and done well in some of their events, including national championships. But his highest velo with PG goes back to 13U last year and was only 79. 

Basically I don't think my kid had the numbers to get invited to the 14U National showcase if it's very selective

nycdad posted:

 

I do wonder how many have received this invite. My son has never attended a PG showcase (always opted for PBR based on price). He has participated and done well in some of their events, including national championships. But his highest velo with PG goes back to 13U last year and was only 79. 

Basically I don't think my kid had the numbers to get invited to the 14U National showcase if it's very selective

The 2018 event page lists 262 participants. Right now, 31 of those kids are listed as committed.

Thanks. I think it makes sense to register and to the PG event. If he can make PBR Futures this year, it's likely he can make it next year.

I would do pbr future games.

How tall is your son.....is he  6' 4" and 165lbs.  If he is a 2022 and has height/weight that's projectable and can sit mid 80s he will draw considerable interest at PBR Future Games.  Your bigger problem may be trying to slow down the process to ensure he 1) grows into the projection and 2) truly understands where he wants to go.

He is 5'11' - 6'. About 175. He's not skinny. Still growing. His older brother is 6'1" or so.

You've hit the nail on the head with 1 and 2. My 2020 had no clue as a 14 yo. 

NYC dad, I sent you a PM

I would highly recommend the PBR Futures event.  My son went as a Freshman two years ago and he gained a lot of interest and offers.  It was amazing how many schools were there.

I don't mean to hijack the OP's thread, but my question kind of fits in here.  I had no idea PBR was such a big deal.  I thought PG was the main avenue to recruitment.  My Freshman son is a 3B/RHP.  He is a solid defender but not spectacular.  He cruises 77-79 and tops out at 82.  Those aren't college-ready numbers so he hasn't done any showcases yet.  

There is a PBR event 1 1/2 hours from where we live at the end of the month that is an "identifier" for the Futures Games participants.  At $300 for Pitching and Position Player sessions, it's much cheaper than PG.  It doesn't sound like he quite has the numbers to get an invite to the Futures Games.  Is that accurate?  Should he attend this event with no expectation of getting an invite, or would it make more sense to continue working hard to increase his velocity and go as a Sophomore with numbers that would more likely earn an invite?

I think a lot will depend on the strength of your region's team. That said, my understanding is the futures are mostly sophomores (2021s this year) with a few 2022s.

My son is a 3B/RHP as well and will do our region's games as a 2 way. But if he gets selected it'll be for his pitching velo I'm sure. 

Even if you don't qualify for the Futures game this year, you'll potentially be on their radar for next year, and IMO PBR events have always been good for both my kids.

Wildcat.  As a freshman, he's good, but won't wow many.  I would wait a year. 

We started PBR February of son's sophomore year and first posted metrics made me say "dang, now everyone knows he only throws 79."  Went up 5 MPH by that summer and got him the invite to futures.

If you're confident he'll hit his 82, it could be worth it and will get on team's radar based on his class.  But if he only hits his cruising speed, it may be a waste.

Thanks guys.  That's very helpful.  I've got more questions.  I'm going to start another thread so I don't completely derail this one.