Showcase when already verbally committed?

There will be pro scouts in attendance. It won't be a waste of time unless pro ball isn't a goal.

I would not do a showcase just for a ranking.

Since your son is a 2017, he has a full year until he can sign his NLI.  Lot's of things can happen during that time.

Does he already have other programs who were interested?  Are these other programs of interest to him, i.e., were these schools on his vetted list? 

I guess the question comes down to whether he is trying to generate interest from new schools or from pro scouts.  If so, then he continues to showcase understanding that his verbally committed school may not be thrilled.  If not, then I wouldn't do this just for a ranking...what's the point in that?

From our experience I didn't see much value in showcasing post commitment unless you garner an invite to PG National. i say that for a couple of reasons. 

With a a commitment it was my son's experience he was pretty much "off limits" to other schools.  It isn't like football where kids use commitments as a bargaining chip to get another more coveted offer and switch committments. Baseball commitment means you fall off the radar. 

Who does your son play in summer with?  One could easily argue that the best pro scout exposure happens through PG WWBA and Jupiter. Lots more than a handful of pro scouts At these events. 

In addition to the comments above, which I agree with, do you have $$ to burn? 

If its mostly to get a ranking, then I guess its your money, your call.

It would depend to me on how certain we felt about the commitment on the D-1 School's part.  If we had any doubt whatsoever, son would keep showcasing, just in case they dropped him at the last minute.  At least then, he may be on some other's radar.

FYI, it isn't necessary to go to a showcase to get a ranking.  Those aren't determined by a showcase but a rating is .  I am assuming you meant rating but I thought I would  point it out just in case.

Exactly my initial thought.

Also, my son did go to a PG Showcase in Jupiter after he committed but it was more as a favor and out of respect to his travel coach and uncommitted teammates.  There were some travel players who decided they didn't want to showcase any more as they had their offer and commitment.  This attitude really irritated my son, so he decided he would go with the team hoping his travel teammates would get the needed exposure.  Based on everything my son's travel coach had done for him, we thought it was the least we could do.

As always, JMO.

Fenway are we talking about the same thing?  OP was asking about an individual showcase. Could you perhaps be referring to a tournament?  Just want to clarify and fwiw if you are talking tournaments I whole heartedly support your son's thoughts on that issue. 

Thanks for the clarification BackstopDad32.  I didn't see individual showcase called out in the OP's initial post.     Excuse my ramblings, but my initial thought (it is actually rynoattack's) is still sticking with me.  Only the OP knows where that commitment level sits.  

There is definitely an advantage in being ranked.  Nearly every ranked player would tell you that.

That said, there is no guarantee that a player will be ranked be simply attending an event.  They will get a grade at a showcase and it is nearly impossible to grade someone in a regular game.  You do not need to attend a showcase to get ranked, but it can help.  I mean people are going to watch you and evaluate you

Also, there is no such thing as any showcase or tournament that is "necessary".  However, the more people that know about you the better, if you have the necessary talent.

If you are committed and plan to play in college and are satisfied with that, there is no real reason to attend.  If you are thinking the draft and professional baseball is important, that is another thing.  Guess it all depends on a players ability and what he wants.  There is no guarantee that attending any event will make you happy. 

BTW, if money is the only thing in the way, I suggest contacting staff@perfectgame.org

We have to follow NCAA regulations, but sometimes we are able to help legally.  Unfortunately, sometimes we simply can't help without jeopardizing a players future eligibility. It's always worth a try, contact staff@perfectgame.org

Please, only do this if you need help.  After all, those are the ones we want to help.

Thanks for all feedback. Yes, was speaking specifically about Showcases and not tournaments. 2017 has played several PG tournaments but has not yet participated in a Showcase.  He is very serious about his D1 commitment and happy/content with the offer.  It's very, very possible the head coach at the program will not be there by the time my son gets there, which may leave 2017's offer in flux. I guess that's the risk for all verbal commitments this early??  So, thinking possibly adding to PG profile through Showcase participation will hedge against possibility that 2017 is 'back on the market' unexpectedly??

Also, reaching for MiLB and MLB future as well, but aren't most?  Current HS coach and summer ball coaches say there is pro scout interest, although we have no idea how much as no one has approached us.

Yes, money is always a concern - we don't want to spend it just to spend it..There is always a way to spend more $ on baseball. That's why I was throwing the question to the group. Is it worth spending almost $1,000 (after hotel, gas, meals, etc) to get stats added to PG?

2017 has been to 2 WWBA and made All-Tourney for hitting both times, but team has yet to be invited to a Jupiter event.

Thanks for the offer, PGStaff. It's great to have PG input on these boards.

Curious, what position does your son play?

Sounds like there may be a HC change at sons committed school. In that case I would go and be seen by other schools. What could it hurt? Nothing has been signed. keep all options open.

He'll be seen at a PG showcase and he'll get his ranking/grade but:

1. Not sure you'll know what schools attended the showcase or that they'll be the right ones.

2. What if the ranking is not what you expected?  If you thought son was a 9 and they gave him a 7.5?  

It's a lot of money to spend with those unknowns.  Right now he's listed on PG as a D1 commit (I assume) which most 2016/2017s would be very happy with. 

Playball2011 - son is a Catcher

Mkbaseballdad - thanks. Excellent points. All parents assume their child will show out. Something to consider that maybe he won't??

I think we've decided to wait until after his Junior season and then re-evaluate. We will have a better idea where the HC of his college stands as well and then can decide whether to spend the $ or not.

Thanks All!

So that's the real risk you face and, while the earlier commitment, the greater the possibility a coaching change can occur, a later commitment doesn't guarantee that won't happen as well.  Take what's happening to the 2016 class of HS commits at Auburn right now.

The best thing that you might have done to help hedge against that has likely already passed.  A single showcase now probably isn't going to help much if there is a coaching change and your son finds himself back on the market.  Any college RC'c can certainly chime in, but if your son shows as already committed, he's not likely to garner a ton of attention from RC's as they're looking for available talent when at an event and don't have much time to spend looking at players that are off the market.  The best thing would have been to showcase before his commitment and establish some relationships with other schools of interest before taking himself off the market  That way he would have some good contacts who are already intimately familiar with your son that he could reach out to quickly if needed, but that ship has sailed.  One of the reasons that we held our son off on committing for an additional 8-9 months.  He did well at a national showcase and it opened up many more options for him that he previously hadn't pursued.

As for going pro, it really depends on what level you have determined it will take for your son to pass on school and go pro out of school.  If it's a very high round, and your son is in that mix, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to showcase for them (East Coast Pro, Area Code, etc).  Those invites will come, and if there is already pro interest as the HC says, if there is high interest, you'll get invited to those without any additional effort on your part.  They'll come calling.  Ditto for individual team workouts.  Those cost nothing.

So if the showcase/ranking is for college, I'd say it's a waste of your money at this point.  If it is to be drafted out of HS, then I'd recommend you hold off at this time.  If he would be an early round pick, then the pro guys already know about him and will come knocking.  If he'd forego college for a late round opportunity, then it might be worth attending a showcase now.

Well worth the money.  I don't know of any D1 player committed early who does not have professional aspirations. Forget about the rankings.  I don't think ranking is that critical when it comes to pro scouts. I would do it for the experience. Your son will make connections with players, scouts and coaches that are invaluable. 

I really don't know how to say this without it sounding like a sales pitch. However I do think it is important that everyone understands their situation and how things work.

First of all, this pertains to the very best out there.  The top 500 in the country type players or those that believe they are. You may or may not be invited to attend Area Codes or East Coast Pro.  Always remember, people have to know who you are!  Nobody looks at All Tournament teams or All State teams and invites players to events.  People have to know you have the tools and ability necessary.  I read emails every day about a kid that hit .400.  That doesn't tell me anything about that player other than he hit .400.

So here is my honest opinion of what an outstanding player should do, if possible.  This is what will help lead into all the potential opportunities.  If you look at the rosters in both Area Codes and East Coast Pro, check and see what those players did before that.  You can just google their name with baseball after their name (John jones baseball)

Do the same google with those named to All American teams or USA National teams.  Do it for the players already committed to the top DI programs.  For the most part this little exercise will give you a very good idea about how things work.

I think everyone already knows about the top events for the most talented kids each year.

The first one is the PG National Showcase in June

Then the Tournament of Stars (for USA Baseball National Team)

Then East Coast Pro (players in the east) end of July.

Then Area Codes August

Then All American Game in middle of August.

Check all those rosters to see what those kids did before attending any of those events. You will find that most all of them (all those events) didn't start at that event. Most kids we pick for the National Showcase are kids we have already seen before at other events. Scouts from both East Coast Pro and Area Codes attend the PG National and see players to invite.  USA Baseball we work with in identifying talent.

So as I have mentioned many times, there are no events that are absolutely necessary.  So much depends on just how talented a player is.  I just get tired of hearing, "If you're good, you don't need to do anything" because that is the complete opposite of what nearly every kid drafted out of high school does. The typical high draft pick is well recognized before his junior year.  He is attending the top events as a junior because everyone knows about him.  He is getting offers from the top programs because everyone knows about him.

It should be noted that it can work the other way.  But rather than just think you have it figured out, do some home work! If you think you are truly a good prospect, it's not that hard to see what path the top draft picks and top recruits took. You can search them by google, if you want to see if and what they did with Perfect Game, you can search them at the PG site.

It is all about opportunity... You don't have to spend a fortune... There is a gigantic advantage in being identified and recognized early as a good prospect.

Once again, just to be clear... Everything above pertains only to a small percentage of players.  For many, even if they can afford it, money would be better spent on instruction and training.  Just make sure it is "good" instruction or training.  Then you might be ready when the time comes. Players do develop late at times (late bloomers).  You see some in the Major Leagues, sometimes even in the ML All Star Game, like Trevor Rosenthal. So for those who might not be the best prospect right now, keep working, you never know.

I apologize if this sounds like a sales pitch.  It really isn't, it is the same advice I would give to my very best friend if he had a kid with exceptional talent.

+1 to PG's post.  He did a much better job of saying what I was trying to convey.  

If your kid is a legit pro draft pick and aspires to go that route vs. College, then it makes sense to showcase for that audience.  If the kid is not that blue-chipper and won't grow to be a high enough pick to forego his D1 college commitment, then there isn't nearly as much value to showcase today.

If your question is merely limited to attend a showcase to get a ranking for the sake of being ranked, then I believe the general consensus of most replies is that there isn't much point in spending money to do so.

What are the thoughts out there as to what the coach of the school that player has already committed to thinks about his going to a showcase? We know a player that committed to a school and then attended a showcase and the coach found out and pulled his offer to the player. Is that something that would be a concern or that might happen? I ask because I don't know how this works and wondered if this player would need to be worried about this. 

LHPJamesmom,

Last month we held an event in Jupiter.  Just guessing, but probably as many as half the kids there had already made a college commitment. We will hold some events in Ft Myers next month with many committed players.

Most showcase events are scouted by both college recruiters and professional scouts.  Any college coach that would hold it against a player to attend an event with lots of professional scouts in attendance, wouldn't be someone I would want to play for.  

My guess is the kid you mentioned wasn't a high priority to that college coach.  College coaches understand there is a MLB draft in June.  The best players aren't going to commit to a coach that tells them they can't showcase their skills to MLB.

We have experienced college coaches telling their recruit that they don't need to go to certain events.  But any coach that actually insists that their recruits not attend, is going to experience some decommitments and rightfully deserves that. Some college coaches actually like their recruits attending certain events.  It gives them another opportunity to see how they do against high level competition.

We talked to one college coach (top 5 program) in Jupiter last month that was angry that one of his recruits wasn't there.  He wanted to see him play and he questioned the kids desire. So not everyone looks at things the same way. I can see a lower level college not wanting their recruit at an event where you know all the top level programs are at.  They don't want to take a chance on losing a player to a better program.  But a coach pulling an offer from a kid wanting to compete against the best is a low life in my estimation.  

I think we're mixing up event types here.  I highly doubt a college coach would drop a player for attending PG in Jupiter with their team - that's a team event.  Sure there are players attending who get picked up by a team and they go because they haven't committed yet but there are probably just as many there (or more) who are already committed D1.  

Individual PG showcases are a different matter.  I could see a D1 coach questioning why one of his commits would attend an event where a significant percentage of the players are not committed and are there for the explicit purpose of being "seen" or discovered in some way (or getting metrics, baseline stats posted on PG, etc).    

While the first type of event is a great place to showcase your ability it's definitely a different type of event than the second type.  Players also aren't given a PG rating online after the tournaments while they will at a standard individual showcase.  The other significant difference is that it's well documented that Jupiter is the largest gathering of scouts year after year.  A standard individual showcase will not have that level of attendance (at least as far as I have seen which I'll admit is limited).

Those were our thoughts too. The school was a smaller Division I school and it seems they were afraid of the competition and the player getting interest from other schools. They told him they didn't like the idea of him "shopping himself around" as they put it. But what you say makes sense and probably is dependent on the type of school the commitment was made to. 

MKBaseballdad,

Yes Jupiter is a tournament, but PG National, East Coast p[ro, Tournament of Stars, Area Codes, All American games are all individual showcase type events.

Even though the PG National (in June) is the first big event on the calander each year, I would say nearly half in attendance have already committed to a college before the event.  Then there are many more that commit top a college from that event.  So by the time these kids attend East Coast pro showcase or Area Codes even more of them have committed.

The first big time college coach that tells his best recruits they can't attend will become a big loser and soon out of a job.  Instead they are usually there watching their recruits along with looking for more.

You don't have to believe me, just do the research.  When the PG National takes place next year, see how many on the rosters have already verbally committed.

Actually Jupiter whether a tournament or a showcase is the biggest scouting/recruiting event in baseball.  That might be the last place a college coach would want his recruit, if he were worried about them.  I know there are some power colleges hoping their recruits don't turn into first rounders in Jupiter. Yet it does happen at times.

BTW, most of the time when we see a player before his last year and after he has committed, it is far from the first and only time we have seen him. Some have already been graded a 10, yet they still keep coming. Still not satisfied with the highest grade, I guess. Maybe it is the ranking, which seems to coincide with how the draft plays out every year. Not many show up to find a better college deal.