PG Southeast Showcase Question

I'd say those are numbers that can justify a May showcase. That will come at the end of the HS season, which means he should be at top form, velocity-wise. A good PG profile showing 84-86 mph at his age will start opening conversations. The longer they know you exist, the better. Those are strong numbers at his age.

I'd say go now, and consider going again if you're not getting the attention you want.

For me, if you believe he has something to showcase, then showcase it.  He'll be looked at as a 2019, so if his numbers and performance are favorable against other '19's, then he'll show well.  If he has a large gain in his numbers a year later, and you want to get him seen again to fish in a larger pond of potential college suitors (assuming he isn't already garnering the attention you'd like), simply go again to "upgrade" his showing.

I agree wholeheartedly with the two previous posters.  Your 2019 has the size and almost the velocity to be a D1 prospect as a 2016-17.  Go!

I'm going to add the expense factor into the equation. No doubt this showcase would do you son some good, but will the money you spend on the showcase and travel prevent you from investing in something with a better return, like pitcher training or SAT prep? If not, then go. But if your baseball budget is limited, I would sit this one out.

Given your location, I'd say the most cost-effective and important thing you could do for him this summer is to make sure that he pitches in a Perfect Game tournament. That will give him a PG profile, and his pitching velocity documented. As others have noted, his size will attract attention. If he isn't already playing for a travel team that has college connections, he could find such a team at a Perfect Game tournament. Keep us posted.

Ok, here is my take.

Your son is 6'3" and weighs 205.  Remember that ratings are based upon future projection, not particularly age.  Just because he is throwing 81-82 now does not mean he will be gaining more velocity.  Just hitting 84 doesn't mean much unless he is consistently doing that.   Plus, we have no idea what he actually physically looks like or  if puberty has set in or his mechanics.

It may be wise to get an idea of where he stands in relation to his peers, and what needs improvement,  if you do not mind the expense, but it may be a better idea to wait to showcase until he really does have something to actually showcase, as he really needs a good breaking ball or off speed pitch at this point in time and a consistent FB.

What is your goal of having him go?  Is it to start the talk, or get a good grade?

I could be wrong, but I think I have noticed a pattern.  Please do the research yourself BUT it seems to me that even the most talented 9th grader doesn't get a PG score above an 8 and they have to go back.  Why not wait until he's doing something to earn a higher grade?

If you are looking for a strong grade that will last, then rising 11th seems to be the time.  If you are looking for measurables by a third party to see where he stands then it won't matter 9th, 10th, 11th...etc.

This brings up a question for me. My son just attended his first PG tourney in Phoenix earlier in the month. He is a 2018 who is selling himself only as a pitcher (good bat, but slloooww). He pulled an 87 on his fastball. That's now the dominant factor on his profile. We will be playing four or five more PG tourneys during the summer. Most of our team will be attending a PG showcase in Denver at the end of May. Given that he is a PO for PG purposes, is there anything to be gained by attending the showcase, per se? I mean the goal is to get the FB up in the 90's. Will a PG grade really do anything to further his recruiting goals given that he will have several chances to actually be in front of the people he needs to be in front of?

On a side note, there is another problem I have with this particular showcase. For the second straight year, it's scheduled the same weekend as the state tournament final four. So, a pitcher who pitches in the semis or finals will most likely not be able to pitch at the showcase.

Root,

I believe the answer to your question really lies in what you want to achieve.  The audiences for PG showcases vs PG tourneys can widely vary.  If you're playing in a regional PG tourney in the fall or early spring, there will likely be few, if any college recruiters in attendance outside of locals, and that would be based on it conflicting with their college schedules.  The showcases typically have more scouts in actual attendance.  Granted, national PG tourneys (i.e., WWBA, etc.) will often yield similar audiences, however no guarantee that the recruiter YOU want to see your son would attend YOUR game.  At showcases, most all recruiters see all kids showcasing, so a bit more captive audience.

Now if your goal is nothing more than to have some stats on PG website, i.e., velocity, and nothing more, then you're good.  You have a number in the clubhouse and you can always increase that number in future tourneys.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the reason for playing in tourneys vs. attending a showcase are different and you would expect to see different results from each with regard to being seen and recruited.

Nuke83 posted:

Root,

I believe the answer to your question really lies in what you want to achieve.  The audiences for PG showcases vs PG tourneys can widely vary.  If you're playing in a regional PG tourney in the fall or early spring, there will likely be few, if any college recruiters in attendance outside of locals, and that would be based on it conflicting with their college schedules.  The showcases typically have more scouts in actual attendance.  Granted, national PG tourneys (i.e., WWBA, etc.) will often yield similar audiences, however no guarantee that the recruiter YOU want to see your son would attend YOUR game.  At showcases, most all recruiters see all kids showcasing, so a bit more captive audience.

Now if your goal is nothing more than to have some stats on PG website, i.e., velocity, and nothing more, then you're good.  You have a number in the clubhouse and you can always increase that number in future tourneys.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the reason for playing in tourneys vs. attending a showcase are different and you would expect to see different results from each with regard to being seen and recruited.

That's a good point. I guess my real concern was that a MAY showcase in Denver probably won't give us what he needs compared to a mid-summer Florida showcase or tourney. But, yeah, the captive audience thing is something I should have given more thought to.

Thanks for all the feedback, it was exactly what I needed to hear to make a good decision.  My son is likely going to pursue a high academic school, so I guess he is close, right now, to D3 HA thresholds for velo?

TPM makes a good point above regarding projections, in my sons case, he does not even shave yet, so he most likely still has a few inches to go.  He has a pitching coach and his mechanics are improving, still doesn't scap load correctly, so I'm pretty confident he can add a few mph to fastball by next season.

We have decided to wait until after next season to showcase.  The good news is his travel team is scheduled for some PG events and at least one national event this summer so he can get a baseline started at PG.  I appreciate all the comments here, very helpful!

I guess my next decision is the PG High Academic Showcase in Jupiter or the PG Southeastern Showcase in Ga after next season.  Thoughts on that??

cutfb posted:

Thanks for all the feedback, it was exactly what I needed to hear to make a good decision.  My son is likely going to pursue a high academic school, so I guess he is close, right now, to D3 HA thresholds for velo?

TPM makes a good point above regarding projections, in my sons case, he does not even shave yet, so he most likely still has a few inches to go.  He has a pitching coach and his mechanics are improving, still doesn't scap load correctly, so I'm pretty confident he can add a few mph to fastball by next season.

We have decided to wait until after next season to showcase.  The good news is his travel team is scheduled for some PG events and at least one national event this summer so he can get a baseline started at PG.  I appreciate all the comments here, very helpful!

I guess my next decision is the PG High Academic Showcase in Jupiter or the PG Southeastern Showcase in Ga after next season.  Thoughts on that??

 

 

If he's looking at high academic - look at HeadFirst Honor Roll Camp in November at Jupiter.  Smokeinside had his son attend the past November; he and others have experience with this camp.

But as a 2019, the top academic camps want to see more graded semesters under his belt.  He's likely early for any top academic camp.  Colleges attending are likely focused on 2017's this year.

CUTFB - Found out that PG is also planning a Fall Academic Showcase at Lakepoint 10/15-10/16 this year.

Another PG academic showcase option for ya that is not too far if you had schedule conflicts with the Jupiter Academic showcase.

Thanks!