PG Underclassman Showcase

BB,
60 times were slower than expected for most that I have talked to. Have seen quite a few scouts and representatives from smaller schools. As far as the games that I have watched, pitching has been dominant, very few hits. Son's game last night ended in a 0-0 tie with a total of 5 hits in the game, today's game was 2-1 with 7-8 hits.

BBFUN, EAGLE_FAN...Jan 2-6 is a dead period and it is not permissable to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off campus or permit official or unofficial campus visits. If there are D1 schools there, they are in violation according to NCAA rules. As you state you saw only smaller schools which would be DII or DIII or JC schools. On Jan 7th the Quiet Period re-opens for in-person on campus visits thru Feb 29.

Hope your son does well.

"If you can imagine it you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it". William Arthur Ward

"Baseball is Life"

bb..."pitching has been dominant, very few hits".

That is why if you are a pitcher with some velocity, you definitely should go to PG events!

The best collection of high school junior and soph. pitching that I have seen, was at that event two years ago between Ryan Mitchell, John Lalor, Troy Patton, Ricky Hargrove. Pitching does dominate there and elsewhere.

Geaux Cajuns!!

Wow, talk about well run! It was our 1st time at something like this, and I came away impressed with how well they run such a large event. Yes, 60 times were slow. If you go to PG website you'll see a note from one of their staff that the field was spongy and slowed times by .3-.4 seconds, compared to times of players they'd previously seen run. Also, they were running into a mild breeze which might have had a small effect. Overall, what a great experience, I'm glad my son was able to attend and he'll be doing this again in the future. Lots of very good baseball players there, lots of quality baseball was played.

For a 1st timer, its a great way to see how you compare to other players, and a good confidence builder after you've been through the experience.

Dad04,

Son went to that one. (Faced Patton and Mitchell)
After it was over - he came back and said - "Dad -these guys are really good!" LOL

The following year we went to PG Jupiter.
He faced Sborz and Marrie - I think he even got a dose of Adenhart.
After it was over - I said - "D - these guys are really good!"

LOL - (Brain surgeons we are not.)

Lots and lots of awesome players at PG events - pretty much all the time. The wood bats and some awesome pitching talent will get you into reality very very quickly IMO.

I must agree that the top pitchers in the country tend to dominate at PG events. Or other events for that matter.

However it should be remembered that position players like BJ Upton, Delmon Young, Chris Lubanski, Ryan Harvey, Lastings Milledge, Prince Fielder, Scott Moore, Sergio Santos, Jarrod saltalamacchia, Adam Jones, Corey Smith, Micah Schilling, Josh Burris, Ian Stewart, Matt Moses, Eric Duncan and many others who attended multiple PG events were all first rounders.

In fact, Over the past two years there have been as many position players who attended PG events, drafted in the 1st round, as there have been pitchers.

I agree with "itsinthegame", lots of very good players! It sure makes it a lot of fun for us. We have been very lucky.

PG -- My son and I enjoyed the event very much. You guys run the thing very well, like clock-work. The pitching definitely dominates, but given the time of year, the pitchers probably need an advantage. Wood bats plus the no-walk rule is quite a combination. The pitchers never have to "give in" to the hitters. Even the all-fastballs-after-4-balls didn't seem to affect them much. Lots of 3-0 and 3-1 curveballs, etc. Have you guys ever considered putting the batter who made the last out on after four balls or a hit batter? The batter still gets to stay up until he hits or makes an out, the pitcher has to throw from the stretch, there are more baserunners, so more plays to be made and decisions to be made by the fielders. Most of all, though, the pitchers would have to pitch like they are behind in the count when they are behind in the count. Also, the no walk rule seemed to lead to larger strike zones -- and who can blame the umps?

I probably shouldn't have been surprised by the high number of strikeouts, given the stuff I just talked about, but that was the biggest surprise to me. That and the fact there were no game situation things happening -- no sacrifices, no hitting to the right side to move the runner with no outs, etc. I would think players would want to show they can do those things, too.

Anyway, I'm sure you guys have thought this all out and like it the way you do it. And I have no complaints about any of it. Lots of good players and lots of people keeping things organized. From check-in to skill evaluations, to concessions, you guys run a great event and we had a great experience.

DodgerBlues,

Thanks for putting things into a little better perspective. My son and I were a little disappointed in the game at-bats (0 for 5 with 4 Ks). But, after reading your post, I think back to his first at-bat (two nasty sliders on 2-0 and 3-1 counts). I guess the pitchers really did have an advantage with the speed-up type rules. My son did hit well in BP. Hope that counts heavily. Had a great time otherwise.

CrusaderDad,

BP is very important to us. In fact, I watched a player take BP last night and it changed my entire outlook on him.

DodgerBlues,

While we do like it the way it is, we do listen to good ideas. Your idea makes a lot of sense and we will give it some serious thought. Thanks for your suggestion and your kind words.

I am sure PG has seen this because I know we have--some kids are totally different hitters in BP as against a at bats in a showcase--I find a lot of kid press during the game AB's and seem to relax in BP and show what they really are.

TRhit

Dodger...Your post mirrors my posting after my son attended his first PG event more than 2 years ago. And, I'm still one of the biggest PG fans in the Midwest.

As I've so often said: If you are a pitcher with some velocity, you definitely should go to one of these showcases. For many of the reasons which you discuss, there is a TREMENDOUS advantage to pitchers and a TREMENDOUS disadvantage to hitters.

--

I think that Team One and Midwest Prospects and College Select all put men on base when they walk or are hbp. Too, the hitter who walks continues to bat with the count at 2-0.

My 05 son went for first time and we were all very pleased. He was excited to compete against other players who are highly ranked to test his skills. He did very well. Batted 4-5, 2 stolen bases, 1 RBI, and no errors in the field. He actually had the flu 3weeks before and his workouts had to stop until he got well. We were worried about his hitting because he had not had much experience with woodbat. He came back excited and ready to play on his HS team.

It was a great experience and we were very proud of him. The more it progressed, the further he pushed himself. These events have won us over. It is great to be able to play with/against different and yes better teams than you regularly do.

Good luck to everyone who attended. Everyone was so nice. We met alot of really great kids and parents. PG staff was very helpful. My advise to anyone considering attending: GO!

I would think the game situation tells more about a hitters ability that straight BP.
Some kids are gamers and some kids are cage hitters.Yes there is pressure to out duel the pitcher but that is what the game is all about.