Should we be pressed?

I think there are others far more expert than I on this, but my own feeling is that mid to high 80s is still not going to really inspire the "big time" D1 coaches. Not sure how you define that, but my 2018 didn't get any kind of higher D1s looking at him until he hit 90 on a regular basis.

But if there are some mid level D1s that he's really interested in, it might well be worth while.

I would think that the summer will be your key.  There are a few variables.  IF he is in great throwing shape and IF there is a key school or two on his list conducting camps that work logistically now, go for it.

  On the other side of the coin, IF he is going to have to commit to a summer FB schedule with football conditioning, 7on7's, etc., that may make it difficult for him to perform at his best in summer.  How did he avoid that last summer?

Most D1 staffs are getting really busy right now and you may not have the eyes present that you need to have at their late camps.  If you are considering going, make sure you get some clarity on that detail.  And, make sure it is a true "prospect camp".

Agree with Cabbage, Summer will be his big shot as most coaches are busy right now and through June. However, I also agree with MAD. Get short documented video with velo sent out to target schools. Subject Line.....6'6" 225 2019 RHP UPPER 80's. They will open it & view.

You can't teach 6'6" 225! Mid to upper 80's are projectable for his age/size.

I remember a kid 6'8" 230 November Junior year at 84 MPH with very little interest. Was 93-95 MPH by summer and had scouts & RC's three deep at every event he attended. 

My two cents......

If your son has a couple dream schools that he has been in touch with on a regular basis, and they are genuinely interested then I would attend their skills camp.  The challenge is going to be that D1 coaches are going to be fully engaged with their teams in a month, so there is going to be very little opportunity to grab there attention from Feb to May.   I do like Mid-Atlantic Dad's idea of getting in front of some Feb showcase folks to document his velo and to give him additional showcase experience.  Other than those two points, I'd probably try to get my son focused on maximizing SAT/ACT and GPA.   Junior year is a challenge for many college recruits and their parents due to the amount of travel baseball activity, camps, hotels and the overall cost.   It starts to get very stressful in the Spring.   He'll get plenty of high school and travel baseball this year.   Good luck and please let us know how he does.

Good call Fenwaysouth!  The velocity looks better when the SAT/ACT scores are higher. 

There are plenty of Power 5s that need pitching. His Size is projectable and makes up for lower velo Now or Frankley later. Our starters last year were mid-upper 80s guys. None of them consistently cracked 90 nor went there. Feel Pitchers who threw 3 pitches for strikes and/or hit their spots otherwise. Many kids come into programs with a lot of hype and velo and many never get back there. The few who hold it and improve it while being effective prosper.

I wish you and your son success in your recruiting journey! Folks here can help, this is a great board.

Shoveit4Ks posted:

There are plenty of Power 5s that need pitching. His Size is projectable and makes up for lower velo Now or Frankley later. Our starters last year were mid-upper 80s guys. None of them consistently cracked 90 nor went there. Feel Pitchers who threw 3 pitches for strikes and/or hit their spots otherwise. Many kids come into programs with a lot of hype and velo and many never get back there. The few who hold it and improve it while being effective prosper.

I wish you and your son success in your recruiting journey! Folks here can help, this is a great board.

Great info.

And just to add for the lurkers and newbies -- ShoveIt's kid is at a powerhouse baseball program in a P5 conference.

Attending a PBR winter showcase is a good idea.  It will get you tape and verified velo.  If your son has a few target schools its a good idea to attend a camp.  Either way though, I wouldnt worry about waiting to long and missing an opportunity.  My 2018 attended camps/showcased/etc winter of his junior year and it didnt lead to much - but it didnt hurt either.  It was all part of the process.  The summer wound up being the most critical part of his process and he was ultimatley able to land in a place that would have seemed unattainable during the winter.  If your son keeps working and stays positive it will work out one way or another.

I would not be too worried.  Yes, he is "blessed with size," and projectability should compensate for the less than lightening velo.  But "mid to upper 80's"  for a 2019 in January is nothing to fret about.  I'd say he's more than on track.  Not sure if you'd call him a late bloomer, but I believe it was RJM who said, "the college baseball recruiting timeline does not favor late bloomers."  

6-6, RHP, 88-90, commanding a FB and at least one quality off-speed pitch next summer at the right events (2-3) should do the trick.  

There's no reason to do any more camps/showcases now....unless it's at a school he has interest in or has been shown interest by.  As someone else said, D1's start practice Monday...and in most cases, you're not likely to see them at a showcase or camp until the season ends.  I would definitely send out video and emails....and include his summer team info and schedule.  6'6, 225 and upper 80's....maybe 90 by summer will get  ALOT of notice. 

Just a follow up on my previous post and thanks to everyone for their input and recommendations.  We decided to skip winter camps and continued to focus on strength training and mechanics work and not "push" winter time throwing at camps/showcases.  The off field work seems to be paying off as he opened HS inner squad work sitting 86-87 and touching 89 a couple of times in the cold mid-atlantic early season.  Expecting to add a couple MPH to all of those numbers as the weather and season heats up. 

The recruiting process seemed to heat up as we were fortunate enough to have a "Play in School" video done over the winter with his summer team.  He sent out his video to his list of target schools and the responses have been nearly immediate and positive. It seems the summer will be an interesting time. 

 We have definitely learned that once you are "ready", you will know.   The more time you spend developing as a player and student, and less time you spend chasing showcases and positioning on a particular travel team, the better off you will be.   

2019 sdnt1st posted:

Just a follow up on my previous post and thanks to everyone for their input and recommendations.  We decided to skip winter camps and continued to focus on strength training and mechanics work and not "push" winter time throwing at camps/showcases.  The off field work seems to be paying off as he opened HS inner squad work sitting 86-87 and touching 89 a couple of times in the cold mid-atlantic early season.  Expecting to add a couple MPH to all of those numbers as the weather and season heats up. 

The recruiting process seemed to heat up as we were fortunate enough to have a "Play in School" video done over the winter with his summer team.  He sent out his video to his list of target schools and the responses have been nearly immediate and positive. It seems the summer will be an interesting time. 

 We have definitely learned that once you are "ready", you will know.   The more time you spend developing as a player and student, and less time you spend chasing showcases and positioning on a particular travel team, the better off you will be.   

Unless he's just woefully unathletic, I'd be stunned if he's not committed by the end of the summer.  If he chooses to commit, that is.  The size and that velo have him sitting quite well.  Keep him healthy and enjoy the ride this summer.

I agree with the others. Nothing to worry about here.  Our Saturday guy is your son’s size.  Showed up fall of 2016 84-85.  A redshirt year later and some work in the weight room he is cruising 92-93.  Darn tall kids get all the luck..ha