Typically, how does their pitching stack up against other D1 programs? Does the military commitment prevent them from attracting a commensurate share of high velocity arms?
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My son played with two kids in HS. One went to USMA and the other to a top 10 DI that was at this years CWS. There was a pretty big gap between the two in stuff they had on the mound.
The kid that went to USMA is probably going to be the man we all wished we could be if God didn't give you the gift of electric stuff or 450' power at the plate.
FWIW....I think you can look at it a couple different ways. Most guys that make this level of commitment to a Service Academy are thinking about country first and baseball second. If they wanted to play baseball primarily in college they probably would have taken another D1 offer. It takes a special person to go to these schools.
http://www.ncaa.com/stats/base.../current/team/211/p1. There are 296 D1 programs. Here is how they stacked up by ERA nationally.
Army is #23
Navy is #104
Air Force is #244
However, I don't think that tells the whole story. I think you need to look at each program in the context of it's conference to get a real idea of the pitching level and how they "stack up" versus like programs. JMO.
My son's team played Navy this Spring. They had a couple "horses" that could bring it on the mound. Their style of play was small ball, pitching, defense and opportunistic hitting. They were extremely good at executing plays and situations as you would expect.
I would be incredibly proud if my son decides on a service academy. The baseball would be a tremendous bonus.
I do understand the commitment. I'm a retired vet and my oldest is an Army pilot. I'm really trying to get a feel for the talent base across the length of the respective staffs. My 2016, who dreams of attending a service academy, recently asked me what I thought his chances were of playing ball at any one of the three. While he still has two years of development before him, I'm doubtful he scales to that level. He's a good student so grades shouldn't be a concern, but he's likely a notch below their typical RH pitching recruits. Short in stature (5'10, 190), he cruises mid-eighties with decent command of three pitches. He's pretty much reached his max height so there's no further projection from that angle. On the other hand, he's never had quality instruction or undertaken a rigorous pitcher specific conditioning program so I think he may have some untapped velocity. Even so, if I were a betting man I'd project him at a cruising speed of 86-87 and that may be better suited for a DIII program. If fortunate enough to be given the opportunity, he'd likely elect to attend a service academy regardless of baseball, but I thought I'd ask about for info. Thanks so much!
If he cruises at the mph you suggest I would reach out to all 3. First off if he wants to attend an academy why not try. I would be surprised if they would not have interest in your son. My 2016 son tops out at less than that and has one campus visit done, another one scheduled and talking to another school about a third. Don't limit your son's willingness to put himself out there based on velocity. IMO let the coaches make their own decision on that.
If you take a look at their roster and stats, they had a freshman RHP about your son's size who logged 11 innings this year. Google their righties and I think you'll probably find that most were mid-80s in high school.
It's probably too late for this year, but I would also suggest that you look into the Overnight / Leadership Training Camp.
http://www.navysports.com/camps/navy-camps.html#base
Mine was recruited by all three based on his baseball but also a very important factor was due to academics. I don't know this for a fact, but my guess is that this was as much a factor. These are a very elite group of individuals and they are looking for the brightest, probably more important over baseball frankly. Mine was in that range as a Jr, 84-87, PG had him at 84 at a couple of summer events, he went to the Ariz Fall Classic and he jumped a bit and was 86-88, touched 89.
Originally Posted by MidAtlanticDad:
If you take a look at their roster and stats, they had a freshman RHP about your son's size who logged 11 innings this year. Google their righties and I think you'll probably find that most were mid-80s in high school.
Actually did this prior to posting and for the most part you're correct. The size influenced projection angle is where he differs with many of those recruits. Not bemoaning it, just accepting it as a factor in the recruiting landscape. I'm certainly not limiting his choices, but I'm an eyes wide guy and I want him to be fully cognizant as well.
Originally Posted by BOF:
Mine was recruited by all three based on his baseball but also a very important factor was due to academics. I don't know this for a fact, but my guess is that this was as much a factor. These are a very elite group of individuals and they are looking for the brightest, probably more important over baseball frankly. Mine was in that range as a Jr, 84-87, PG had him at 84 at a couple of summer events, he went to the Ariz Fall Classic and he jumped a bit and was 86-88, touched 89.
Curious where the academies do the bulk of their recruiting.....PG.....Headfirst.....on campus?
I think it was from the Stanford camp, he also attended the Academic Game at the Arizona Fall Classic. This is late in the process so probably got on their radar from the Stanford Camp. They have a wide net so not sure where else, but I suspect high academic events. If you are interested don't wait send an email to the recruiting coach.
Reach out them. They want/need players who want to be there. Navy & Army play in the Patriot League and your son appears to fit what that conference recruits.
I played at Navy. Sitting 86-87 definitely plays there. D-3's don't have many guys sitting 86-87.
Originally Posted by Marklaker:
I do understand the commitment. I'm a retired vet and my oldest is an Army pilot. I'm really trying to get a feel for the talent base across the length of the respective staffs. My 2016, who dreams of attending a service academy, recently asked me what I thought his chances were of playing ball at any one of the three. While he still has two years of development before him, I'm doubtful he scales to that level. He's a good student so grades shouldn't be a concern, but he's likely a notch below their typical RH pitching recruits. Short in stature (5'10, 190), he cruises mid-eighties with decent command of three pitches. He's pretty much reached his max height so there's no further projection from that angle. On the other hand, he's never had quality instruction or undertaken a rigorous pitcher specific conditioning program so I think he may have some untapped velocity. Even so, if I were a betting man I'd project him at a cruising speed of 86-87 and that may be better suited for a DIII program. If fortunate enough to be given the opportunity, he'd likely elect to attend a service academy regardless of baseball, but I thought I'd ask about for info. Thanks so much!
Don't count out higher velo if he works on it but definitely not a given. My son is 2014, so off to college in less than a month. He sits 87-91 (depends on the day for some reason) and has touched 94 twice this spring that has been confirmed. He is 5"11 - 180. When he was a junior in HS to be (like yours is now) he was 82-85 velo. Last year as a rising senior 84-87. He worked this winter specificly on baseball and pitching related workouts 3 times a week (in between basketball practices) and the results were above.
Although I have no idea why some can throw harder than others, that worked for him. Another young man in his HS was throwing the same velo as freshman- 80-83. He never got above that. This winter he worked just as hard as my son. I guess what I am saying if he is mid 80's sitting going into his junior year then I would say he is a candidate for D1 baseball therefore the service academies baseball.
A friend of his is going to Army for football, they reported a few weeks ago and his mom put the induction ceremony on video which I saw. Chilling how impressive that was. Anyone who is willing to serve our country has my immeasurable respect. So thank you to you, your older pilot son and your 2016 for considering it
I really want to thank everyone for your feedback. I'm cautiously optimistic and can't wait to point him at this thread.