Putting a Player in the Best Position

What is his speed like?  What is his 60 time?  He sounds like an Outfielder to me.

I like to be direct, so please don't take offense at what I'm about to say:  Please get it out of your head that he could be a Shortstop in college.  It is extremely unlikely that any college coach in the nation will have a lefty playing Shortstop.  He certainly won't be a D1 or D2 Shortstop

Being a lefty pitcher is the golden ticket, but he'll likely need to get his throwing velocity into the mid 80's to get D1 consideration.

If his 60 time is around 6.8 or lower, he could be a D1 prospect as an Outfielder.

He’s not going to play at any level of college as a lefthanded shortstop. He’s too short to be a first baseman. He doesn’t have a strong arm. So he has to be a go get ‘em with 6.6 or better speed in center. His batting average doesn’t matter. What is his exit velocity? He has to be driving the ball hard to play D1/D2. He really sounds like a D3 pitching prospect.

You don't have to take him off short and harm your defense. He needs to find the right summer team for position and exposure. College coaches don’t scout the land for D3 players. He needs to be at the right showcases and tournaments. 

3and2Fastball posted:

What is his speed like?  What is his 60 time?  He sounds like an Outfielder to me.

I like to be direct, so please don't take offense at what I'm about to say:  Please get it out of your head that he could be a Shortstop in college.  It is extremely unlikely that any college coach in the nation will have a lefty playing Shortstop.  He certainly won't be a D1 or D2 Shortstop

Being a lefty pitcher is the golden ticket, but he'll likely need to get his throwing velocity into the mid 80's to get D1 consideration.

If his 60 time is around 6.8 or lower, he could be a D1 prospect as an Outfielder.

That is kinda my question, I know there is just no way at all he would play beyond HS at SS as a lefty, which is why I'm wondering if I would be better off moving him to CF or will his ability be seen enough playing SS knowing that the transition to the OF is a non-issue.

We did our 60 times in preseason, but that's probably something we can do this week to find out where he is now. 

I'll be honest, he's probably not a D1 player short of getting more velo and being a good LHP choice.

As others have stated, no chance at being a LH SS at the college level.  I'll take it a step further.  With the arm strength you state, he is a liability at the HS level at SS.  Regardless of how good the glove is, he is already giving up a step or two because of the angle and another with the lack of top arm strength.  That's too many bases given up on slow rollers, balls in the hole and routine grounders by fast runners.  Sure, if your competition level is that low, he may be your best current option.  But that is not where you want to take your program.  Actually, at catcher, there are fewer disadvantages for LH throwers than at SS.  But, still, if he is one of your best P's, catcher and SS are the toughest positions to strike the balance where you can protect his arm.  

You say he is a "remarkable" pitcher who hits and runs well.  But his size and velo are not going to get him high level college attention.  He is a 2020.  Let him/help him develop.  Use him where the HS team needs him most but try to develop other SS and C's so he can eventually move to OF and P.  He has time to figure out the college direction.  Based on his current measurables, I doubt that temporarily playing parts of another year in odd positions (for a lefty) is going to hinder his college chances.

He sounds like a good athlete:

• develop him in CF
• he should commit to a strength and speed program
• commit equally as hard in the classroom: good grades along with being a solid athlete will open more college doors

Get him off of SS and moved to the OF right away.  He will lose credibility (and so will you) if any coach shows up to watch your team and sees a LH SS.  You should know that.  Geez !!  The kid sounds like a JUCO prospect to me.  I would contact the coach of the one nearest to you - after you have moved the kid to the OF ! 

Unfortunately I agree with the others here....SS isn't an option in college.  5'8 as a pitcher is also going to severely limit the looks he will get.   If he can get the fastball up to 85-86 by next summer he'll get some looks, especially with a great curve....though D1 is probably not likely, they just like taller kids for whatever reason.  CF with an 80mph arm isn't likely to be a great scenario either.   Tough spot....if the velo goes up, I'm thinking his best shot is on the mound.  If not, I'm not sure where he goes

I'm no coach, but I agree with others: Nobody wins if you have a LH SS on the field. Sooner than later. A big variable is whether he is still growing so added height is probable, possible, or not likely. Otherwise, hammer the academics and shoot for a quality D3 school.

Last year and most of this year we were in a position to play with what we had and he was the best candidate at SS so that's where he landed.  Baseball at our HS has been an after thought...I mean having a non-faculty dad as the coach should tell you enough, and I'm the first 2nd year coach that I am aware the team has had in probably at least a decade. 

My other starting pitcher is my other shortstop, he is a RHP but doesn't have the control LHP does and more of the issue is it seems it takes him 20 pitches to get warm.

Much could be said going through the roster of the justification for having the 2020 lefty on SS but I think we do have other options and just as I had figured, I probably need to make the change.  We have at least 4 more games this summer before we move into off-season workouts so I have some time to experiment.

OB1,

I've read through your post and the responses.   As I read it, your question was about where to put this Lefty to get the most traction as a college recruit.  I agree with others that his best shot is to keep pitching and it may also be in the outfield.  IMHO, you've got to find him another position not only because a LH SS is unconventional but because of the constant wear and tear of pitching and playing SS.   Yes, as a parent I would have serious doubts about my son being a primary pitcher as well as a SS or 3rd baseman whether they were RH or LH.  All three of my sons were high school pitchers.  Two of them also played a position (OF & 1B) as well as DH.  I've been there and done that.  Do everything you can do to protect his arm and help him develop into your first college player since taking over the program. 

Good luck! 

5'8 lefty throwing 80 is not a college recruit. He's a college walk-on at best.  An 80mph arm at SS is quite good imo, if he throws 80 across the IF.  Top HS shortstops  throw 85-90 from SS.  My 2020 SS throws 60-65 but never failed to throw a runner out last season and he has a very slow release.  For slow rollers those take just as much skill as arm strength.  My 2020 has the size and was the top hitter in our division, but he's got to get his velo to 80 just to make a Juco team.  If I was a college coach would I want him?  Probably not. 

I'd leave him at SS because he might actually be noticed more that way if that's where the balls are hit.  who knows some coach might see potential and feel he can coach this kid better than you.