PG year .... Would you do this?

What would I do?  If my kid was a D1 pitcher, throwing 91, and 17 years old, and money was not an issue?

Move to Seattle and have him train at Driveline for a year.  See if we could get him into the mid to upper 90’s with filthy spin rate and get him drafted.

Funny sounds like my guy.

We sent him to 2 weeks at New Orleans pitching camp and he came back at 93.5!

Has 2700 RPM cb at 86 mph.

But realistically with 20 rounds he is going to college in the Fall.

My 2022 committed to a good school in low level D1 division. He is a 16yo and topped 91.8. He'll start college at 17. He could have waited until summer, or into the fall and likely have gotten offers from better schools and could have probably committed to a P5 if he would have become a 2023. Based on the uncertainty these days, and going back to the "go where you're loved" we think this is the right move.

I think some differences for us are 1) Son is 6' 195, he's not going to put on an other 20 lbs in a PG year, and money, while not an issue, is a consideration.

If pro baseball is the kids dream, then as a parent I would support it.  He's got resources and talent to show.  As a parent, I would do a ton of research and advise my son of the many pros and cons.  Having lived across the street from an MLB player, I got a sense of how difficult it is to play professional baseball.....it takes ridiculous skills, commitment and luck.  My only concern would be does this (or any) 17 year old truly understand what ridiculous skill, commitment and luck looks like.

My son's dream was very different.  He stuck to his plan of 4 years of college baseball then pursue his college major which he was passionate about.

I would do Driveline and market for the draft, or just stick with his school, where he might get a chance to play since they aren't likely playing for a championship.  If the goal is pro ball (during this time) I would try to go now.  We know of a hs kid that was offered over 1.5M in the 2020 and said he wanted to go to school instead.  He is sitting on the bench and not traveling. I can name a ton of top 100 kids in the same boat.  Why?  Because they all went to top 25 teams that unexpectedly got all their experience back. The coaches are only going to give you a few innings to prove yourself if they are a team that contends.  If its not your day, you aren't developed or used really the rest of the year. In the minors, you throw every week, good outing or bad.

@3and2Fastball posted:

What would I do?  If my kid was a D1 pitcher, throwing 91, and 17 years old, and money was not an issue?

Move to Seattle and have him train at Driveline for a year.  See if we could get him into the mid to upper 90’s with filthy spin rate and get him drafted.

I know quite a few who have tried that route, doesn't always work out the way you think it might.

@RJM posted:

This is a plan I would change if my kid is maxing 91 in high school who will likely put on 15-20 pounds with a good college weight training program. Let the coach decide if the kid is ready. If he gets redshirted to have five to play four lighten the spring academic load or start grad school in year five.

What would you do?

Same as you.

@TPM posted:

I know quite a few who have tried that route, doesn't always work out the way you think it might.

Please say more.

@baseballhs posted:

I would do Driveline and market for the draft, or just stick with his school, where he might get a chance to play since they aren't likely playing for a championship.  If the goal is pro ball (during this time) I would try to go now.  We know of a hs kid that was offered over 1.5M in the 2020 and said he wanted to go to school instead.  He is sitting on the bench and not traveling. I can name a ton of top 100 kids in the same boat.  Why?  Because they all went to top 25 teams that unexpectedly got all their experience back. The coaches are only going to give you a few innings to prove yourself if they are a team that contends.  If its not your day, you aren't developed or used really the rest of the year. In the minors, you throw every week, good outing or bad.

The problem is many top programs just reload, they dont offer opportunities to develop their young talented players. 

If a player turned down 1.5 to go to school, that means he has talent, but the coaching staff is too busy staying in the top RPI to get a regional and keep their jobs because developing players is a lot of work.

Thats what college baseball has become and it's sad. 

@DD 2024 posted:

Please say more.

What do you want me to say?

Parents send their players off to Driveline to throw in the 90s to improve their college or draft interest and it doesn't always work out.

I think if a prospect or pro player has had an injury, it can be helpful.

Many college programs use programs developed by Driveline, who also construct pitching labs for college programs. 

I have said this over and over here.

Send your son to a program that matches his ability and has good academics.  Sending your player to a top program just to sit is pointless. He needs to go somewhere he will get on the roster and PLAY!

And don't think because you got your player a PG year he is going to get a scholarship or play over a younger freshman. There is a LOT of young talent out there.

Or send him to a JUCO that feeds into a good program D2,D3. Don't let anyone tell you that JUCO are a waste ( yes depends on the program).

And then there is the pro game, no one understands how incredibly hard it is to even get out of A ball. Go to college, improve your skills. Work on a degree. If you are worthy, they will find you.

JMO

@TPM posted:

What do you want me to say?

Parents send their players off to Driveline to throw in the 90s to improve their college or draft interest and it doesn't always work out.

I think if a prospect or pro player has had an injury, it can be helpful.

Many college programs use programs developed by Driveline, who also construct pitching labs for college programs.

This is a footnote. I have no issue with Driveline. I have been a fan since Kyle was a member here. Just understand what it's all about and what's best for your player.

@TPM posted:

I know quite a few who have tried that route, doesn't always work out the way you think it might.

The key phrase there in RJM’s fantasy question was “if money was no issue”.

I like Seattle.  We have lots of family in the area.  My kid would enjoy spending time with his cousins, hiking in the mountains, and training at a World Class facility as opposed to his arm getting used up in meaningless post grad games, and I wouldn’t have to argue about pitch counts with Joe “Back in My Day” Tobacco Spitter, his post grad coach.

“How it would work out” would be a fun year long family vacation in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with some great Baseball training involved.

I suppose if money truly were no issue, I’d have my kid get hitting lessons with Barry Bonds, too.

Maybe next time RJM is bored, he can ask “if your kid ran a 6.4 60, would you have him play wide receiver or center field?”

@3and2Fastball posted:

The key phrase there in RJM’s fantasy question was “if money was no issue”.

I like Seattle.  We have lots of family in the area.  My kid would enjoy spending time with his cousins, hiking in the mountains, and training at a World Class facility as opposed to his arm getting used up in meaningless post grad games, and I wouldn’t have to argue about pitch counts with Joe “Back in My Day” Tobacco Spitter, his post grad coach.

“How it would work out” would be a fun year long family vacation in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with some great Baseball training involved.

I suppose if money truly were no issue, I’d have my kid get hitting lessons with Barry Bonds, too.

Maybe next time RJM is bored, he can ask “if your kid ran a 6.4 60, would you have him play wide receiver or center field?”

Do you remember catchersdad, his son went to Clemson and caught guys at driveline. Was with Texas. Son has been to Driveline, loved Seattle.

FWIW, my sons other Clemson mate was an instructor there, now is the pitching instructor for Yankees Somerset Patriots.

If money was no issue, still would send son off to college!

@3and2Fastball posted:

I suppose if money truly were no issue, I’d have my kid get hitting lessons with Barry Bonds, too.

Yeah, before you hire #25 check this out:

"Former Marlins president David Samson called Barry Bonds's one-year stint as the franchise's hitting coach was a "complete disaster."

"He had fun as a hitting coach because he would hang out with [Giancarlo] Stanton and give Stanton some pointers. But he was ineffective, completely," Samson said. "He would sleep in the clubhouse. He would not pay attention during games. He did not work hard. It was a complete disaster."

During his interview, Samson recalled that Bonds was combative and refused to accept less than $1.5 million—well above the typical salary for MLB hitting coaches.

Most of Bonds's 2016 salary was reportedly paid off the books in an attempt to hide it from other employees. Miami deposited over $1 million in the former Giants and Pirates slugger’s private holding company."

https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/04...tting-coach-disaster

I may not understand all the lingo here.  Does he intend to take a full year playing showcase ball?  I’ve heard an opinion that younger is not a bad thing for a pitcher.  Is it worth putting another year of mileage on his arm?  Especially since he’s already hitting 91 now?