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recruiting pitchers vs position players

FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
As I look back, I realize that the criteria for being recruited as a pitcher are completely different than that of a position player. Pitchers join a staff and build their worth as they go. Pitchers are expected to have good days and not so good days. But when it comes to a position player, one player usually earns the right to play that position and owns that position until he does something to lose it. There is no rotation. There is no “staff”. Normally there is one starter and there are those that want to be starters. It’s more of a black and white issue. (Understand that some coaches do platoon at some positions) Pitchers are given more “chances” along the way while some very good position players can get stuck behind another player. So, if you’re being recruited as a position player it’s imperative you check the roster and ask if there are other players being recruited for that position. Determine your fit. Your ability to play more than one position could be an asset as a position player. On the other hand I think pitchers benefit by having other good pitchers on their staff as long as the overall number of pitchers is reasonable. Pitchers compliment each other by allowing each to showcase his strengths. If you’re the only good pitcher on the staff then your opponents will always save their “best” for you and that hurts your W-L. You have to have a good starter to provide opportunities for the closers and you have to have a good closer to protect “your” wins if you’re a starter. I think your position is a very important variable when being recruited ..... Your thoughts?
Fungo
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W waveball10+ posts
Fungo, I could not agree with you more. As a Head HS Coach, I find it also easier to market pitchers to the scouts and coaches. There is always a need for quality pitching, regardless of the division (i.e. D-I, D-II, D-III, NAIA, NJCAA) Positions players are competing against players that are "in" so to speak. As long as the needs of MLB remain the same, pitchers will always be in demand, more opportunities will remain and talent will cycle up and out of the college and minor league levels. Just look at it this way, unless the coach platoons a position player, you have one starting player per position. On the hill, you could have a starter, middle guy and a closer, every game, depending on your depth.

Again, very insightful post and I enjoyed reading it!
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
Pitchers are always a priority but you would be surprised how many calls we get asking for a corner guy, middle infielder or outfielder. Catchers for some reason are a prized commodity this year perhaps because there are not a lot of good ones around.

Funny though when you look at the MLB more times than not it is a position player who is #1.

Good athletes, regardless of position, are always a prized commodity and in many cases the top pitcher is not the top athlete

JMO
gratefulgrateful1,000+ posts
This is a good and interesting topic. Pitchers do tend to find their role in the staff 'rotation', so to speak......and some of them are eventually found to be 'fill ins', throwing garbage innings rather than being put in tight situations.

Position players who are limited to one position may get stuck behind a better player, as Fungo states. Those with some versatility often have advantages that good freshmen pitchers enjoy......the chance to play in a variety if situations as a way to earn full-time playing time.
Last edited by grateful
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
I think versatility is a tremendous asset to have in college! This could easily make the difference in how much you play - at least in the beginning. My son is a ss but can play 2nd and 3rd as well. Fungo's son was both a catcher and a pitcher in college. The All-American on my son's team last year who was drafted high was a 1st baseman, 3rd baseman, and the team's closer. Tim Hudson was a good hitter at Auburn. Thus, even if you are a pitcher, having the ability to hit and/or play in the field can create playing opportunities as well.
P puma1500+ posts
Pitchers (and catchers) are also easier to showcase whereas in a showcase game, a position player may not get an opportunity to show his talents or have strong hitting, especially if a good pitcher is being shown. Velocity and pop times are always there for the pitcher/catchers too, even if they do not have their "best stuff".
PrepsterPrepster10,000+ posts
quote:
I think pitchers benefit by having other good pitchers on their staff as long as the overall number of pitchers is reasonable. Pitchers compliment each other by allowing each to showcase his strengths. If you’re the only good pitcher on the staff then your opponents will always save their “best” for you and that hurts your W-L. You have to have a good starter to provide opportunities for the closers and you have to have a good closer to protect “your” wins if you’re a starter.


Absolutely true, Fungo! It was, in part, that line of thinking that caused my son to want to pitch on as strong a staff as he could find.

Reflecting on your additional comments about pitchers getting more "chances" than position players, I think there's merit to that statement as long as the pitcher is consistently throwing strikes, in both workouts and games. Given how explosive the college game is, if a pitcher fails to demonstrate that he can consistently throw strikes, he's going to get on the mound only in practice...until he can figure out how to hit his spots with consistency.

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