PBR Top Prospect Showcase

I think my 2018 attended the one in Iowa. He's had good experiences with the one here. A good number of coaches attending, a decent level of competition, always seemed to run smoothly. I do think some of these depend on how good the state organization is, a first time event for a new group might be a tad rocky, but it was worthwhile for us.

The event is "invite only" but you can ask them for an invitation.  Sounds like a marketing gimmick to me.

Smitty28 posted:

The event is "invite only" but you can ask them for an invitation.  Sounds like a marketing gimmick to me.

Sure, but I think they're all like that, right? I mean, you can even request an invite to the PG Jr. National Showcase, which is by most accounts the top underclass showcase in the country.

The question is, do they get good attendance by coaches, are there high-quality players there (which will attract coaches), etc., etc.?

In Ohio it’s called The Top Prospect Games. It is truly invite only. One of the pbr scouts or coaches from top org must recommend you. Son found it to be very much worthwhile. Phone was ringing off the hook immediately after the event.   This is how it’s done in Ohio. Not sure about Ca. 

RoadRunner posted:

In Ohio it’s called The Top Prospect Games. It is truly invite only. One of the pbr scouts or coaches from top org must recommend you. Son found it to be very much worthwhile. Phone was ringing off the hook immediately after the event.   This is how it’s done in Ohio. Not sure about Ca. 

Agree....son got a lot of notice at that same event.  The number of coaches there was phenomenal.  I have a pic somewhere, if I can find it I'll post it.  As far as "invite only"....yes, to a point, but PBR obviously hasn't seen every kid in the state.  If your kid is a good player and would like to attend, go ahead and ask for an invite.  They won't just say "oh, ok, come on over"....but if they can make a couple calls and find out he's as good as you say, there's a good chance he'll get asked to come if they have room.   They know they haven't seen every kid but they do want the top kids at their event...helps the kids, but also makes them look good if it looks like they didn't "miss" anyone

Keep in mind that Ohio was PBR's second or third state....they are very well respected here.  Will they draw the same number of coaches/scouts in CA since they are new there?  I'm not sure, but PBR is basically "national" now so I would think that they would still be a good option, even if they are new to the state

We've also had good experiences with PBR. Here, in Colorado, maybe not as many recruiters and scouts as other state events, but they do a fantastic job of spreading information. The thing to note, though is that, unlike PG, each state organization is a franchise and some states are run better than others. California participation, so far has been reported to be excellent.

PBR is very good in Texas also.

PBR is decent in Minnesota. Well run, honest. Most of the coaches/RC's attending are local(MN, IA, ND, maybe WI). Son prefers running 60's with a partner to get the competitive juices flowing, and they only do it singly, but that's a minor quibble.

    I think some of the evals and rankings are off, but I have the luxury of seeing some of these players a lot more than they do. What reads well in a showcase doesn't always translate to the field, and vice versa, but the same could be said of all showcases.

I'm with Buckeye that I think the "invite only" might be a little loosely enforced to make sure enough kids fill out the showcase (at least in NJ), but you have to indicate travel org and such, so I'm sure they do some checking to make sure you're reasonably legit. They came to Jack's school, right, so I'm sure they have an awareness of him already. 

We've done three events with them and while phone hasn't rung off the hook like for Roadrunner, we've been happy with the positive feedback received as a result of good performances. Then again, the two I personally attended I'm not sure how many coaches were even there -- NJ outlet is still fairly new compared to Ohio.

One other factor to consider is that since PBR is new in the state, you could get some "early adopter" benefit by attending one of its first events.

PBR Wisconsin is well run and does a great job with what they do.  I prefer the Perfect Game model, where it is a combination of both measureables and game play.

I understand why PBR does things the way they do, logistics and everything, but going to a "Showcase" and running the 60, getting 5 ground balls and throwing it across the infield, 5 swings on the tee and 5 BP swings only tells part of the story.  The other part of the story is that at some of the Wisconsin events kids are waiting around in line so much, it can take up to 4 or 5 hours to get through those stations.

On the plus side PBR Wisconsin does attend high school games and uses game scouting reports as part of their rankings

Initech posted:

I'm with Buckeye that I think the "invite only" might be a little loosely enforced to make sure enough kids fill out the showcase 

 

Invite only is loosely enforced for MOST of the Pbr events in Ohio,  but not so with the top prospect games in Ohio. Pbr events vary. I was speaking only to the OP question re the top prospect games. 

PBR Minnesota does have some abbreviated games at some of their Showcases. 

3and2Fastball posted:

PBR Wisconsin is well run and does a great job with what they do.  I prefer the Perfect Game model, where it is a combination of both measureables and game play.

 

 

In Ohio, at the top prospect games, it is a combination of game play and measurables. Teams are assigned ahead of the event based on position. There are a limited number of spots, hence the invite only for this particular event. And there are a ton of schools from all over, personal experience:  as far north as New York and as far south as NC. It is not like this at all pbr events. My guess is, the schools in attendance believe they are watching top level talent compete against one another. My suggestion to the OP would be this. Call the contact person in your state and ask them about the event. You can also email them. They will respond. I have done it before.

I have found PBR to be a little more involved with the players than PG...although I think both are great and we do both.  I know that the director in TX has reached out to schools about athletes that they have seen and were impressed with.

My son, a 2019, found his perfect match school directly through a PBR event. His college coach saw him for the first time at PBR event. We have done Perfect Game, and PBR. PBR (in TEXAS) is well run. We would highly recommend.