Showcase position question

If he hopes to play at the next level as an infielder, brush up those skills and showcase as an infielder, otherwise he will only be viewed as an outfielder.

My son made a high level 18U team as an outfielder even though he had rarely played the position. The manager assured my son and us that he would never be an infielder.

Many colleges sought to recruit him as an outfielder, even though he played 3rd through HS.

Showcase where he believes his best skill sets are, even if they require some polish.

In addition to F's post ... If your son is athletic enough to play infield or outfield he could end up playing anywhere in college. The college coaches will see his athleticism. In college any spot in the lineup is a good spot. Some players never get a shot anywhere during the season.

Everything my son has done so far has put the defensive abilities well below the hitting and speed evaluation by college coaches at various events he has attended. 

Edited:  I am sure they are doing an overall assessment of athleticism which allows them to project the defense as well.

I agree with FLAFan.  Focus on 3B and worry about arm strength and footwork.  If he throws hard across the diamond and can hit, they'll assume he can play OF as well.  May be obvious point, but I assume he can hit for power (drive the ball, gap to gap, etc. not necessarily a ton of HRs yet) as is expected from corner IF.  If he does not project to be a power hitter and runs well, that might argue for focusing on CF at a showcase.

I would echo the arm strength and should have included in my prior post.

How does he run?  There are many HS CF that really don't run well enough to create lots of college interest as a CF. Also many outfielders can't play in the infield. Sure if he can hit that is the main thing, but I wouldn't show in CF unless I was a very good runner.  Especially if I were a good 3B.

Knowing the tools most important at each position can be very helpful.  Running ability is high on the list for a CF.  not so much at 3B.  So if he can play 3B why leave it up to coaches to figure out where they Think he might be able to play? Show them!  Usually you see infielders moved to the outfield more than outfielders getting moved to the infield.

if he does run well, none of this really matters.  Play where he is most comfortable.

thanks for the replies. he is relativity fast for his size (been times 5 times in 60 @ 6.9-7-2) Arm is also very good as well as instincts. just not sure of the speed is going to stay the same as he is going through another growth spurt and the weight is starting to come on, based on family members he has lots of growing still.

Last night he decided after reading this thread that we would change headfirst to OF and keep Stanford @ 3rd. probably making this more than it should be as he is only 15 and a sophomore. 

thanks again

Good luck, I assume he is an excellent student.

My son has always played 3rd or MIF and they (several coaches) have now spoken to him about OF because of his speed.  It's been good for him to move around but feel he is also losing some edge by not getting to focus on one bag/position.  I guess in the long run it will help increase his ability as a utility player that is strong in almost all MIF and OF positions.  

If it's any help, my 2015 son did 1st showcase ever about 3 weeks ago. Never seen before. Has largely done outfield/CF due to his speed/reflexes in HS, but put 1B as 2nd choice position (not enoiugh action in the outfield).

   Athlete slotted for 1B on his showcase team not there, son was put in 1B for all 10 innings day 1, most for day 2, was hapy as a lark. He had suberb showing, played great,got a standout opportunity to show his fielding skills at 1B. Even w/unimpressive sets of numbers for speed and throwing his first time out(has to pay close attention to when they are measuring...) he now has 2 colleges following him, hopefully more as summer progresses.

   He has lots of work to do yet, but though 1B hasnt been his historical position, he gave his best and it was seen and appreciated. So whatever slot your son gets, run with it! As stated earlier, any open position is the one to go for...(IMO). Good luck to you both!