Recruiting Bubble

Without knowing the quality of hitters he faced, there is no way of knowing what the stats mean on their own.  At school camps, the level of players in attendance can vary significantly even at some of the bigger schools.  However, the response, actions, offers or lack thereof by the coaches in attendance will tell him what he needs to know.

Welcome CoachJackE, 

This has been said a million times here, but stats don't mean anything to coaches and scouts. It is all about velocity, L/R (L is good), stuff and projectability. The one stat that some will look at is swing and misses (K's) but in the end coaches recruit players not stats.  When you say 85MPH I would assume that is peak, so he was probably sitting 82-83 which is borderline for any of those programs you posted. 

Did the offer come from one of those schools? Which one?

grades?

Please clarify what (college) "bubble" are you talking about?

There are so many levels of college baseball (even within D1, D2, D3)  which is what makes all this recruiting experience interesting and maddening all at the same time.  Identifying the bubble may help the board get the answer to you question.  The schools you've listed are in significantly different conferences with regard to RPI and talent.  There are 32 Division 1 conferences.  You've got two at the top, one in the middle and one at the bottom of conference RPI which (admittedly) is a rough and crude way to establish talent levels.

Northeastern finisthed 3rd in the 14th ranked Conference RPI

Quinnipiac finished 3rd in the 27th ranked conference RPI

Unv of TX  finished 5th in the 5th ranked conference RPI

Wake Forest finshed 11th in the 2nd ranked conference RPI

As your relative goes through the process, he should begin to get a feel for who is seriously interested in him, and who is taking a "flyer" on him.  There is a college baseball talent hierarchy and he needs to become more familiar with it.  If Wake Forest or Univ of Texas offered him, it is reasonable to assume that other offers should be coming in.  However if Quninipiac offered, he'll probably not get further interest from TX or Wake Forest if they've seen him at their camp and he's done all the necessary communication.  

What I would do is try to check on the interest of the schools in the same conference where your relative got the offer.  He's established interest at that talent level and it makes sense that others within the same conference may have a need.  Just a thought.  As always, just my opinion.

Good luck!

Gotta agree......the talent level at "school" camps can vary so much that it's impossible to tell anything by those stats without knowing more.  My son pitched against a kid IN SWEATPANTS at a D1 camp....lol.   If he has one offer from 4 camps, I'd consider that a good start.  How much has he "promoted" himself....or what kind of exposure has he had other than those camps?  a 6' lefty throwing 85 in the Midwest likely has multiple offers.

3.3 GPA; average SAT & ACT

You are correct with your assumption; and I assume he will get there with his work ethic. (achieved adult black belt at age 16) 

Here is the bigger concern: Last year's HS varsity team utilized the "big 3" to handle 80% of the duties, All three are committed to D1 schools with 2 out of 3 returning. I assume most high schools do the same; maybe some have to rely on 2.

The best avenue would have been to have him pitch for the best possible travel team where he would have received adequate mound time. Plus college coaches are more readily available to scout players in the summer in weekend showcases and tournaments.

I am not an expert in recruiting. However, I have observed a lot of young men that play baseball and lots of college games. If I could give you a sure fire formula I would but I can’t.

However, I do know what the statistics are; and the probability of playing college baseball is low relative to the number of kids playing ball. I don’t care what a kid does in one or more camps, showcases, tournament games or any other venue. If a kid does not fit the eye of the person buying (i.e. the recruiter) they are likely not to get the desired result. Then you add what any group of people are looking for there may not be a need. The fact that he went to these events does not guarantee that there is a “buyer” for what is being sold. This is reality.

There is the reality that mistakes are made and kids are overlooked. It happens all the time. Some people say that this is not fair; it may not be but it is reality.

Your kiddo may have done well. The fact that you haven’t received the feedback, follow-up, attention or whatever you may be looking for does not mean that your kiddo is not on the radar. If he is all it means is that he is on the radar. Decisions as to who is recruitable by what school change all the time for lots of reasons; none of which you or your son can control.

All you can do is to broaden your horizons and continue to work the process. It is called “playing” baseball. The more that your son plays the more he improves, the greater value he may have to a coach. Is there a sure fire way to get recruited, NO. Just work the process and with some luck your son will find a place to play college ball.

The one thing that you can do to help your son is through his academics. I will guarantee you that a student with stellar grades and test scores is far more recruitable than an average student.  With a year to go my time and energy would be in improving as a student than paying for camps and showcases where you can not control the outcome.

The one thing that you can do to help your son is through his academics. I will guarantee you that a student with stellar grades and test scores is far more recruitable than an average student.  With a year to go my time and energy would be in improving as a student than paying for camps and showcases where you can not control the outcome.

ILVBB,

I agree with what you say above, except for one thing that you guaranteed. There are some average students being recruited and offered the most scholarship money at many of the nations top baseball programs. Being a stellar student is outstanding and does help a lot in recruiting, but to that recruiter he wants talent first. If it is a high academic college he will want the most talented player that has the grades and test score to get admitted.  Obviously the higher the grades and test score the better for everyone involved.

I think your statement needs an "all things being equal" qualifier. That said, you are right about spending time and energy on improving as a student. That is very beneficial no matter how much talent there is.

PG

We can split hairs; you are right there are some average students being recruited without stellar grades. Those kids are known products that have been well defined before they get to their senior year in HS. They are recruited based upon their skill set. Absent those kids we are talking about the vast majority that want to play ball in college.

I work from the perspective that schools with sizeable budgets (much of which comes from endowments) are more active in recruiting. Schools with strong endowments and or strong public support generally have higher academic standards. Hence; recruiting becomes easier for those with good grades and test scores.

In that most parents want to see their kid get into a good school and receive a scholarship (many hope for an athletic scholarship). My recommendation is always look for academic money, no matter where it comes from. This will only help with recruitability.

My son attended one of the camps you listed and had similar stats - faced 10 batters, 5Ks, no hits.  They weren't interested in him - most likely because of his velocity which is a lot like your 2016 but my son is a RHP.  They did get one commit from the camp that day - a LHP who throws 87mph (I saw him pitch and he was pretty darn good - the coaches were very excited behind home plate looking at the gun).    

I think if you look on Perfect Game's website and check 2016 commits for those schools you'll get a pretty clear picture of why he may be on the bubble.  The first LHP I pulled up from Wake has a max of 90, The second is at 87 and is 6'6", the next is 88 and 6'3".  Northeastern doesn't have any LHPs committed yet but if they are like most other D1 programs I've looked at on PG they are looking for high 80s to start.  

Coach jack

did your son play in the Area Code tryouts or games?

Bob

Bob,

No to your question and he is not my son.In Addition to the camps mentioned, he as been to two PG events (GA & TX), Oklahoma camp, Louisiana Tech and several 17U Select Team showcases.He was invited to and will pitch at Jupiter FL in October for the 18U team. He is interested in PT; a factor which governs camps he might attend.