Position change, question for those with recruiting experience

quote:

If he isn't used as a catcher he won't be recruited as one.

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:

quote:

If he isn't used as a catcher he won't be recruited as one.

Not true!

Nighthawk11,
Good question. I (my son) have been down that very road. He actually played four positions in one college game - 3rd base/Pitcher/First base/DH but his primary position was catching. He was recruited by college coaches both as a pitcher and a catcher but wanted to catch only. He was used primarily as a pitcher his senior year in high school but was still drafted out of high school as a catcher. There are pros and cons to being “versatile”. On one hand it opens additional doors and on another if can get confusing to those recruiting your brother or they may never get to see him at his best position. Coaches and scouts encounter this “problem” frequently and know how to work through it. However be sure your brother understands the position he’s being recruited for at each college because he may find himself “accidentally” being recruited for his “secondary position”.

He needs to showcase. This provides him an opportunity to display his skills at his PRIMARY POSITION and at the same time allows him to showcase at a SECONDARY POSITION (if he wants to). He needs to explain in his into letters that his PRIMARY position is a catcher but out of current team needs he is playing multiple positions. Your brother also needs a simple video of him catching in case coaches cannot see him behind the plate. He may end up using the video or he may not. I made one but did not send any. He needs to catch for his summer team. Unlike high school he has a choice in summer teams and can “negotiate” his position prior to choosing a team. This next summer will be the period most of his evaluation will take place. Hope this helps.
Fungo

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:

quote:

If he isn't used as a catcher he won't be recruited as one.

Not true!

Nighthawk11,
Good question. I (my son) have been down that very road. He actually played four positions in one college game - 3rd base/Pitcher/First base/DH but his primary position was catching. He was recruited by college coaches both as a pitcher and a catcher but wanted to catch only. He was used primarily as a pitcher his senior year in high school but was still drafted out of high school as a catcher. There are pros and cons to being “versatile”. On one hand it opens additional doors and on another if can get confusing to those recruiting your brother or they may never get to see him at his best position. Coaches and scouts encounter this “problem” frequently and know how to work through it. However be sure your brother understands the position he’s being recruited for at each college because he may find himself “accidentally” being recruited for his “secondary position”.

He needs to showcase. This provides him an opportunity to display his skills at his PRIMARY POSITION and at the same time allows him to showcase at a SECONDARY POSITION (if he wants to). He needs to explain in his into letters that his PRIMARY position is a catcher but out of current team needs he is playing multiple positions. Your brother also needs a simple video of him catching in case coaches cannot see him behind the plate. He may end up using the video or he may not. I made one but did not send any. He needs to catch for his summer team. Unlike high school he has a choice in summer teams and can “negotiate” his position prior to choosing a team. This next summer will be the period most of his evaluation will take place. Hope this helps.
Fungo

quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
Great advice from Fungo!

It is also not a bad thing to also be seen as an up the middle type person, schools look for shortstops, CF'ers as athletic players. It is a little unusual that a catcher has enough range to play up the middle, but that must mean you brother is very athletic and has range and a good arm. Coming from a small school, there will be situations that players are playing out of position for the good of the program due to the resources that are at the school. Most likely colleges will not see him much during the high school season, it is really most important during the summer when the schools can get out to see the players.

As Fungo mentions you can sell that in his introduction letters to the schools.

Good Luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Newcomer:
My son pitched and played outfield in high school. Was thought of primarily as a pitcher in high school but hit too well to make that his only position. But his letters to colleges listed pitching primarily and outfield secondary because he felt he had a better chance to be noticed as a pitcher (more spotlight, I guess). He had a very good batting average and pretty good pitching stats. The video he made for recruiting purposes showed both his pitching, fielding and hitting. However, he showcased primarily as an outfielder. Would pitch a few innings (usually mid-reliever). As it turns out, the college where he was eventually recruited liked his pitching and encouraged him to continue practicing for his fielding position. He could have continued on this path but found that the workout schedules in college for BOTH positions was pretty demanding and so stuck with pitching. As has been pointed out in other posts, it sounds like your brother is a great athlete and will likely show this no matter what position he plays. Showcasing his talents is really crucial and he might get feedback on where his ultimate strength lies in a showcase venue. In the end, his choice may not matter. It's what the college wants him to do. And when he is choosing colleges, he would wisely check the rosters very carefully to see which teams need the position he wants, which teams have returning position players and whether those returning position players may be draftable (and therefore not return) and focus his efforts to teams where he has a chance. Seems like he's in an enviable position because of his talent...good luck!