Perfect Game National Showcase

I completed the Sunshine West showcase this past weekend...pitched 3 innings, gave up 1 hit (the guy was thrown out 2 pitches later trying to steal second), didnt walk or hit anybody, no runs, and faced the minimum 9 batters on 19 pitches...

and I didnt get invited. That game I pitched in, the other 8 1/2 innings I didnt pitch in, 13 batters were hit, and 14 were walked! Yes, I didnt strike anybody out, but there was no reason too. 19 pitches in 3 innings. 1 Caught stealing, 1 flyball to OF, 5 soft infield popups, 2 groundballs.

I pitched, based on performance, the best in the game....so I am disappointed I didnt get invited.

Is there reason to be disappointed?? I am really doubting myself right now. I thought this game (baseball) was about results, and when you get them, you get rewarded. Is that true?? I might not have the 90 MPH fastball, the Josh Beckett curveball, or the Greg Maddux command, but I know how to pitch, get efficient outs, and get groundballs.

Is my disappointment warranted? I really dont know what to take from this...yes i performed, but I didnt get picked.

Thanks

There is so much that goes into an evaluation. Results are but one of those things. And I'm sure that PG would be the first to tell you that they (nor anyone else) is perfect in this process.

Don't get discouraged, but remain realistic. Find someone with experience you can talk too (maybe your HS coach? summer coach?) and ask them to be honest with you about your abilities and possibilities. If you can get to the truth, whatever it may be, you should know what to do with that.

hey dont get discouraged, i think they only pick 10 players at most to get the free ride to nationals-out of the 200 there-if that

I am making a couple of assumptions here. First, based on your screen name that you were born in 1988. Are you an '06 or '07 grad?
I ask because in looking at the PG National Roster posted it appears that they only invited '06's.
So, if you are an '07, don't feel slighted at all.
My son is an '08 and attended Sunshine East this past weekend. He had 4 '06's on his team. IMHO, only 2 were worthy of consideration. But only 1 of them was invited to PG National.

Keep your head high...wait for your report. That may give you a little more insight.

Just curious, was the Sunshine West your first PG showcase?

Yes..that assumption is correct. I am an 06 grad.

And yes, my sunshine west was my first PG showcase. It was not my first showcase, for pertaining to PG it was. Thanks for asking.

It has bothered me all week. I am trying not to get down or feel slighted, but there are times where I will get upset. It just boggles my mind. But I will wait for my report. The way I am trying to approach it is that, despite them not picking me, its not the of the world!! Plenty of other opportunities and routes to take.

BTW...how do you get your report? Do you get a detailed one in the mail, or is it just the information posted on the website? Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by BaseballPlayer1988:
I might not have the 90 MPH fastball, the Josh Beckett curveball, or the Greg Maddux command

Reading between the lines of your own words here, you might have the answer. No, I don't think you should have an MLB curve or command at your age, nor even necessarily a 90 mph fastball...but you seem to be admitting that 3 very essential elements (velocity, breaking pitch and command) of pitching are somewhat lacking? Maybe I'm reading too much into what you said...but be honest with yourself. The kids invited to National in general DO have at least 1 of the 3 (velocity will get you there before the others at this point) and most have 2 or all 3.

I'm sure you're a very good pitcher. But find someone who knows you, is qualified to evaluate and will be honest with you. If you got hosed, they'll tell you that too. But you've got to get to the truth. Once you have the truth, you can figure out what to do next.

Heck, if its bugging you THIS much, email PG and ask them to give you their honest opinion of where you stand. Its just one opinion, but a pretty good one usually and something you can move forward with.

PG will not email you a report.
A very "high level" report will be posted on the PG website, I am guessing not until August sometime. (GO to the message boards on PG, I posted some comments there).

A detailed report will be sent to Prospects Plus. If you look in your player info packet that you received at Sunshine East, Baseball America/Propects Plus is making a special offer to subscribe to PP.

But wait Batman! There is another way to get your detailed report. Email Jerry Ford at PG. His email is plastered all over the message boards and website.

I would wait AT LEAST 4-5 weeks before you make the request. PG will be crazy until late July doing reports on Sunshine Showcases, PG National, Academic Showcase, WWBA events. Jerry is usually VERY responsive via email.

My son attended the 2004 SE Underclass Showcase at Duke (held August 6-8, 2004). I emailed Jerry shortly after Labor Day and within hours he emailed my son's report.

Justbaseball gave you some very good comments. Take heed, but don't get down on yourself. Just be honest.

I wish you all the best.

just baseball-the only one I might be lacking is the velocity. My father was sitting beside the radar gun, and the highest from what he heard them say was I got a couple 85's in. I myself thought I didnt have my usual velocity, and I told my coach that in the dugout in between innings.

But I do have the breaking ball and control. Control is probably my number 1 asset. I have always had pinpoint control (just not to the extent of Maddux! lol.) I shouldve used a different example.

But for years that has been the way I have pitched. I use my fastball to set up my breaking ball/changeup. My changeup is my equalizer. Unlike some, I go out there and pace myself, throwing probably 85-90% velocity and actually pitching. That includes setting up hitters, getting quick groundballs, etc. Essentially, my game is pitching to contact. If I am getting strikeouts, that normally, for me, means I am overthrowing or am wild and the batters are chasing pitches. I do, and have always, "pitched" instead of "thrown". I have a termendous amount of fun out there, seeing hitters get surprised because a 70-75MPH changeup (which looks like a fastball) on the outside corner is coming in on a 2-0 pitch, which is a fastball count. They swing as hard as they can thinking its a fastball coming in faster than it really is, roll it over to the third base/shortstop, and I get an out/double play. My game is not to go out there and throw as hard as I can, full extent 100%, and be out of there in 3 innings because I am tired or my arm is tired.

I do work with a former MLB pitcher who pitched for 13 years in the majors. He really likes me, and says I have the potential, if I work hard, to continue climbing up the latter. He was surprised I didnt get invited, but he also said that is one persons opinion, and he always tells me, all it takes is one person/team to like you. If one likes you, it doesnt matter what the other 29 teams think. I also this past winter worked out for a little, when he got the chance, Greg Maddux. He lives in Vegas about 2 miles from me, and I wrote him last year and he worked with me for about 2 months. Some of the best experiences and instruction I've ever receieved I might add!! A great guy.

There are small parts of my game that I am still learning, such as covering bases. That is a part of me that I never, even to this day for my H.S. team, do not have to do. They told us pitchers that we need to "pitch", and they dont want us running everywhere. So on that aspect, I am trying to observe minor/MLB pitchers in what they do. At the PG event, I did forget to cover first base on a popup to the first baseman down the foul line, which my have in turn hurt me.

Justbaseball...I wouldnt say its bugging me tremendously. I will take it in stride. At first it did though.

jbbaseball--I will email Jerry Ford in a couple of weeks. 4-6 probably.

What does the report consist of?? I am just curious as to what it shows.

Thanks to the both of you!

Sounds like you've got some great people to work with and learn from. Keep it going! Your coach is right when he says it only takes one team.

If I were to guess as to one thing that you describe that kept you from that National invitation it would the 85 mph fastball. That is outstanding for sure, but they are probably looking for near-90 to 90+ guys. I was at the National showcase 2 years ago and nearly every pitcher threw 88 and above. But not being in the National showcase does NOT mean you won't play beyond HS. Keep the faith and let us know how it goes this summer.

All the best!

Justbaseball-thank you for your encouragement, and I will keep faith for sure.

The former MLB pitcher is Mike Martin. He constantly tells me that. When I think about it, it is a true fact. He is always naming of guys that he played with and saying how they were out of nowhere. He even, despite not playing the same position as me, mentions Mike Piazza (probably the best example out of everybody!!). He was drafted as a favor by Lasorda for Piazza's father!! What a story!...

I am sure it was the fastball. That is the only thing. I could've reached 88 I am sure, as like I said if I was throwing 100%, but that is not my game. That is the thing I dont want to do. (get outside of myself and try to do to much).

But again, thank you for the encouragment and I will continue to work hard.

I have the Cincinnati Reds Area Code tryouts this coming Wednesday (June 22), so we will see what I can do! Thanks

quote:

I myself thought I didnt have my usual velocity, and I told my coach that in the dugout in between innings.

If I may just add something that I learned the hard way......hopefully it'll come in handy someday:

You wrote, "I myself thought I didnt have my usual velocity, and I told my coach that in the dugout in between innings."

NEVER do that! At least not for a showcase coach who doesn't know you from Adam. Always act as if you are doing your best, no excuses, bright eyed and bushy tailed, locked and loaded. I think your 'coach' MAY have input into the Top Prospects (not sure, but it seems likelY) and I'm not sure exactly what you said or how you said it, but it may have stuck in that guy's head, "Well, the kid said he doesn't have his good velocity today/this weekend, so why take him to Top Prospect?"

Let your actions do the talking and if the actions aren't up to par on any given day, don't exacerbate the situation by lending it words which can make it worse.

I hope that makes sense and, like I said, it was a lesson I learned the hard way -- most people do. You sound determined and I'm sure you'll be successful getting where you want to be if you keep it up.

Krakatoa-thats is a fact that I did not think about as a reasoning at all. It is probably, in fact very likely, that the coach has input.

When I go to showcases, I try to make myself very comfortable with my surroundings. So, in turn, that might have hurt me too much as I am used to coming into the dugout and reporting to coach how we feel, with velocity, location, whatever. So I did that, and it might have hurt me. I will learn from this!

I think that will come in very handy. I will remember this. Thanks for the great advice--and I will keep that in mind.

My coach asked me after my 1-2-3 inning "great job, how you feeling?". I said "great, except my velocity seems a little bit off. I cant get it to where I normally throw, or so it feels that way."

But it makes sense. You are right--sometimes people most learn the hard way to learn! I have experienced it myself!

Thanks for your advice!

As far as what is in the reports, go to the PG website and go to one of the events and then just look at some of the reports.

Here was my son's (again, he's an '08) report from the PG SE Underclass:

a 2008 shortstop from Virginia, with a 5'8", 140 lb. frame. Excellent present skills, nice athletic actions, runs very well, good bat speed, power potential, solid swing mechanics, need to keep a close eye on, also a very good student

You will have a more detailed report posted on Prospects Plus. Here was my son's report for that same event:

is a young 9th grader from ***, Virginia. He's a MIF/OF with some very interesting tools and excellent present skills for his age. At 5'8", 140 lbs., he obviously projects to get bigger and much stronger over the next few years and he shows good present strength. He shows nice athletic actions and a developing arm that could turn into a MLB tool down the road. He runs very well for a freshman and this too could develop into a MLB tool. His best present tool is the bat. He handles the wood now and will only get better. He probably mashes the ball with a metal bat. He shows bat speed and power potential with good swing mechanics. He is a young player to keep a close eye on, and he could easily end up being an excellent prospect. He's also a very good student.

Hope this helps.

You need to look less towards whether you were invited to the National Showcase and more to how you did overaall-you had a great 3 innings and did show your skills-you have been invited to an Area Code Tryout and there will be much more invitations to follow I am sure-if you look at the "big picture" instead, the lack of invitation to the national PG will seem miniscule
think of my son who went to the PG academic-pitched the absololute worse he has done in one year-he was the one who walked at least 4 batters-threw almost all balls in the low 70'2 and struck out when up to bat -not only dismal play -but for mom i though it was a loss of money-BUT he picked himself up -adjusted back to a 3/4 arm slot(where he throws best) and threw this weekend against a 18 yo team striking out 7 in 4 innings and throwing in the low 80's.

some players develop at different ages not all will throw 90 at 16 but longevity is the real key-do your best-cont to adjust and dont do anything to hurt yourself!!!

Baseballplayer 88
Congratulations on being able to pitch 3 innings - just think about how many scouts saw your performance there - i'm sure you'll hear from someone who saw your performance and that will temper your dissapointment. FYI my son (your age) attended area code tryout this week in texas. He didn't get invited to the game part. So you are prepared, they were given 12 pitches. 6 fb, 2c/u, 2cb,2 more fb. There were plenty of scouts around to watch and record the speed, but they made a decision on who stayed based on those 12 pitches. My advice would be to throw as hard as you can for those pitches and make sure your mechanics are good. If you can get into the upper range of your fb you'll have a better chance to be invited back for the game sessions.

Thank you all for your support.

msdoc-thank you. I will look at the long term things and big picture. I understand you completely. Lets just hope eventually I do develop to throw in the low-mid 90's.

Pantherstangmom-Thank you. After I sat down and thought about everything, I thought about all of the players that werent invited. I was on e of the many to not make it, but it wasnt because I didnt play well, so that made me a little bit happier. I did my best, succeeded to my abilities, and thats all I can ask for.

I will keep all of this in mind. I have my Area Code tryouts tomorrow, so we will see how it goes!! I am hoping for the best.

Thank you everybody