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Scouting the JV team

F Fresh12510+ posts
My son and I are having a discussion, and so we go to the real "pros" for an answer. Scouts and College Coaches, please give us your insight.

My son attends a 6a school, and we have far more talented kids than spots on Varsity. Therefore, we will have several kids who will play JV, that maybe at another school, or in another situation, would play Varsity. My son, having one of the best attitudes a kid can have, is fully prepared for the outcome of tryouts, and will do his best and play the game to his best of his ability no matter what.

I know he is talented, and is a good athlete,with excellent academics, and he has already been contacted by several colleges (D1 ..etc) and we know that people are watching.

To try and make a long story short, my son insists that no one will "scout" him on the JV team (if that is where he ends up) and I say that if someone is interested in him, they will know the reputation of the school etc. and taking all factors into account, will scout him in spite of the fact that he plays JV. At any rate, I know he will play his best. You never know who is watching.

He is an 05 (Junior this year)

thanks for all of your help!
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justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
Hmmm. Interesting question and all I can give is an opinion here. Many more qualified people to answer on this board than me.

I seriously doubt that he would be scouted on a JV team, BUT, I think by far the most important thing is what he does in the summer. Professional scouts look predominantly at high school seniors (juniors that they notice go into their database for another look in the summer and next year). College coaches scout mostly in the summer when their own team isn't playing anymore and they have time to do so. The exception is the local college going to see the local junior or senior play.

I would say the most important thing is to be in a good summer program that will put him in front of coaches and scouts.
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TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
The odds are they will want to see him in a more competitive setting

njbb is correct--have him attend showcases--we have had many kids in your sons position and with the recommendation from their high schools varsity coach confirming the situation we have accepted them for our events--the following year as seniors they were starters on their varsity teams.

Also have the colleges see him with his travel team

TRhit
hsbbwebhsbbwebhsbbweb
The question to ask is this .... How many (if any) college coaches do you ever see at a high school baseball game?

The answer in most cases is that it is rare to see a college coach at a high school game. Of course there are exceptions, juco coaches, local smaller college coaches, etc.

There may be a few pro scouts around, if the area has potewntial draft prospects, but the college teams are all playing during the same time period as do the high schools. This makes it tough for them to get out much in the spring to recruit. Summer is the key time!

The best route for max exposure, in my opinion is:
* Play on the best summer team that you can (travel)
* Play against the best competition possible
* Attend quality showcases
Perfect Game
Team One
Midwest Prospects
College Select

Bob,
"Doing nothing is still a course of action"
RacabRacab1,000+ posts
Some times we worry to much about scouts. The scouts and recruters will find a good player anytime, anywhere. Rod Carew attended New York City's George Washington HS, and never plays baseball in High School. Rod Carew is a member of the Hall of Fame.

"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez
K ktmbiz10+ posts
My son was in the same situation. The varsity went to state finals two consecutive years. So he played he played JV as a soph.. His summer and fall teams had kids who had played vasity as sophs. He was much better than most of them.

I agree with the other guys. He'll get the looks in the summer and fall and also at showcases. Be patient, attend the showcases and camps. Very few talented kids get overlooked.
OnTheLastOneOnTheLastOne100+ posts
Just wondering if your programs are smiliar to ours in that young men are allowed to "swing" up from the lower (younger) levels in High School. We've had good freshman playing at the Varsity level one week and then JV or back to The freshman level. I know this happens in the three major sports in our are. As I said, just wondering. chat
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RHP05ParentRHP05Parent1,000+ posts
eagledad07, How do the other JV players feel when they get bumped by a player coming down? Do coaches only do this for certain games? It’s not the practice here. Many times coach will give players who may not see a lot of play time on varsity a choice, stay or play JV. Once decisions are made, the JV team is selected. No opportunity to float between the 2 levels. Seniors can't play JV. If they do not make varsity, they are done.
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OnTheLastOneOnTheLastOne100+ posts
As in baseball last year it was a freshman pitcher, x amount of innings per week (not sure of the number). He didn't play any JV (attitude conflict somewhere), it was either freshman or varsity.
Seniors don't play down here either, it's varsity or the bleachers.
From the couple of years I've watched and talked to folks the team attitude has been fine, since luckily the kids all realize it's talent playing and not some type of "good old boy" line-up on the field.
In Basketball we have one young man that is good enough as a sophomore that he plays most of the game at the JV level and then will suit up and get anywhere from 2 - 8 minutes in a varsity game.
Same scenario in football, I believe they can play 5 quarters a week.
So far, we've been blessed as far as attitude, the coaches in all 3 programs stress team play on and off the field along with accademics. From what I've seen and my son and others have said they are teaching them to win on and off the field.
Hope this wasn't to wordy. 08

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