Questions about how coaches evaluate players at camps

Coaches look at mechanics, not stats. Depending on position: pop time, sixty time, throwing velocity, instincts, attitude, physical build, grades and sat scores.

Yup.....and the metric du jour, bat speed.

jaxcatcher_13,

we look for "DNA". how athletic are you, does his feet work, how are his hands,ect… for me pop times are fine but at the end of the day can you throw the runner out ? i have seen some great pop times but come game time the guy can't throw anybody out. make sense? Or did he have good ab's, can he handle the stick? lay down a bunt? get a runner over? As soon as I know the talent is there my next question is how coachable is he? what kind of teammate is he, how is he off the field? And most important what kind of student is he? these are the things that the "good" pro scouts ask me about my guys as well.  Yeah we want the most talented "DNA" we can get but you also have to be good character guy as well.  On the other hand I have seen far to many kids with all the talent in the world tear teams apart because they where "I guys". so don't be that guy!   I hope this helps. 

Like most people on this board, I've been to a bazillion high school and college games & showcases as a Dad and baseball junky.  Before the first pitch, I focus on the catchers from both teams.  I truly believe a team is only going to be as good as it's catcher. 

The best catcher's I've seen take control and own the game for their team.  They lead when on the field.  They make their pitchers better by keeping them focused & relaxed on what pitchers are supposed to do.   After all of this is the important pop time, hitting, running, bat speed, and blocking skills.  All of these skills are necessary, but a standout catcher knows how to manage the game while being in the game.  JMO.

I came to the same conclusion.  I could tell right away if we had a chance against a team by watching its catcher.  The more fundamentally sound, the tougher it would be.  I figured that those coaches and players who took the many extra hours to develop catchers also spent time on the other small things. 

son just attended camp. 

mechanics, speed seemed to get you noticed. Saw some kids hit BP pretty well, but did nothing with 6-8 ab they were given. Out of 50 players about 10 stood out. Theywere consistent    and had speed as well as bat. Few still had no clue how to back up on certain plays, esp pitchers who stayed on mound and never covered/backed up throws home or moved to be cut off. Few LL mistakes. 

Fyi-saw kids come in w shirts hanging out half dressed and that did not go over well. Always go in thinking coaches r hard-as---.  Better to be safe then getting called out which I've heard   personally.

Jaxcatcher_13,

Congrats on your camp performance; sounds like you had a strong showing. To answer your question about what coaches are looking at, I think most of them start with the eye-test. Coaches know ballplayers when they see them (at least the good ones do, and even the others think they do). If they like what you look like on the diamond, then they start looking at your numbers, and paying attention to ABs. The eye-test is very subjective, but it can include size, strength, speed, athleticism, swing, posture, style, grace, how the ball comes out of your hand, etc.

If you caught the attention of any of the coaches at the camp, they will probably be contacting you via e-mail. My experience has been that not many players will get this kind of follow-up from a camp, so don't be discouraged if your Inbox isn't overflowing with offers yet.

I would encourage you to send e-mails to (or call) the schools who attended the camp. If you're able to get some feedback, ask them if they saw you and what level of college ball they think you can play. That could be the most important thing that you learn from the camp. They might tell you that you're a lower level than you think you are. Try to accept that assessment and learn from it.

I see from another post that you graduate in 2015.  This summer will be your most important recruiting period. Put your focus on the schools that are looking for players at your level. Try to get in front of the right schools (baseball and academics), and don't be afraid to ask them to come scout you.

Best of luck, and keep us posted.