Red Shirt Freshman

He will be one year bigger and stronger when he plays with physical training like he’s probably never had before. 

Being a red-shirt freshman was great for my son.  It not only allowed him to mature physically and mentally, it also allowed him to answer the question, "If I wasn't playing baseball, would this have been a school I chose?"

Get stronger and take advantage of the time to build a buffer with the grades. 

Agree. My son and I have talked about the same things.   Yes he's taking this time to get bigger and stronger.  And he does love his school and he's also bought into the baseball program.

In the case of a redshirt freshman year, is it typical that the scholarship would cover the redshirt year and the subsequent 4 years of eligibility?

Smitty28 posted:

In the case of a redshirt freshman year, is it typical that the scholarship would cover the redshirt year and the subsequent 4 years of eligibility?

It should, but unless the player is a big contributor, it probably won't.  

I am not a huge fan of a red shirt year unless it comes in the form of a medical waiver. 

JMO

TPM: For those of us who are still learning the landscape, could you just expand on your statement a little more please.

2019Lefty21 posted:

TPM: For those of us who are still learning the landscape, could you just expand on your statement a little more please.

Sure. 

First, always remember that the designation R doesnt occur until after each championship season. 

So if a player does NOT play as a freshman and he becomes a RSF as a sophmore and gets hurt and cant play the next season, that is time lost playing in 2 seasons. This isnt common but it does happen. This actually happened to a good friend of sons and although he was given 5 years to compete with 2 RS seasons he didnt get much as a senior sign for the draft as a solid 3rd rounder. 

What if a new coach comes in, he has no stats to prove you belong? 

After freshman RS season the player could be asked to leave the program. In that case you have nothing to show to another D1 or D2 coach so more than likely Juco will be required to prove you can play to get back to D1. Or he could be asked to give up his money to another incoming player. This happens often. Coaches have to do what they need to do to put together a program that wins. I don't agree with this practice but it happens.

I notice more and more that Juco players are being relied upon, especially in mid tier programs. Sometimes its better to play in Juco than sit as a D1 freshman.  I think coaches sell the idea to getting bigger, stronger, concentrate on academics, but IMO it's just a lost year. Again, thats my opinion.

Just a few scenarios that I would want my player to consider, especially if he started out in D1. 

This is a personal choice and something that should be discussed during recruiting with coaches.

This has nothing to do with the OPs son, that was his choice, I dont even know where he is at. Just something to think about during recruiting.

Just wanted to add  again to a question asked, that its very rare for a coach to give a player scholarship money for 5 years. They just wont do it unless you will help them win. They just cant afford to tie up money for that long.