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If some of you don't mind sharing, I thought it might be nice to hear from those of you who have been through what many of us are going through or at least hope to be going through in the next couple months with our sons.

Son's Senior year leading up to the MLB Draft in June. What were some of the highs and lows in the process? What were some of the things you would have done differently? What are some of the things you would not change? How did your son's high school teammates, and parents, handle the process and all the scouts that came to watch the games? And, anything else you may feel like passing on to the rest of us.

Thanks,
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Sons senior year included 5 MLB workouts, two all star events put on by scouts, filling out 20 MLB questionnaires, and a few home visits. Scouts at almost every game from sophomore to senior year (2 D1 pitchers a year starting for his team), I offer the following.

Make sure the sights are set on college. Focus on that and you will not be disappointed. We considered the extra MLB attention to be a bonus and something we had a lot of fun with. Its nice having people in pro ball say good things to you about your son.

I think the HS ballplayer knows how to handle it along the way, if the parents stay grounded. If there is pressure thinking that draft will be the ticket, and it doesn't happen or he is not picked high enough, then you all might feel you failed.

In his situation he knew college was the best place, after seeing a lot of his older friends picked in rounds higher than 10 and then out of baseball altogether within 3-4 years. Now with no college degree they are wondering what is next.

I think TPM says it best, unless you make life changing bonus (and that is a different amount for different people), college is the best route first. Otherwise, if he is good enough as a HS senior to be drafted, but not make life changing money, then why not get most of school out of the way and then give the pro game a chance.

I think you will know if he is going to be a bonus baby or not (you may already know). My advice is to set level expectations and not sweat about it too much along the way. I know, easier said than done. But anybodys chance of making a living playing baseball is extremely small. Better to be excited about the college team.

Go to college games when you can, watch it on TV, point out the fun the players are having. You can only be 18 when your 18, there is no going back.

Good luck
Back several years ago (2007) our son was drafted out of high school in the middle rounds due to signability. The team watched him all summer, then decided they didn't want him to go to college and threw 1st Supp round money at him. By then he really saw himself in college and was really looking forward to college ball. He passed on the money and has never regreted it one day. He realized he needed to mature physically and wasn't ready. Now 3 years later, he is going thru the process again. It was the best decision ever as he's been recently ranked as a top 50 pick.

How has he handled it as a college junior? He is just going about his business and is not fazed by the multitude of scouts at the game. He realizes he can only control what he is doing. Plus I can tell you we have totally shielded him from what the scouts are saying and what is being written about him. He has no idea where he is ranked. We work very hard at keeping him grounded. He has done alot of living over the past 3 years in college and is so happy he chose that route. It's a personal decision as many will tell you. But we couldn't be prouded of the maturity with which he has handled himself.

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