One thing I've learned from this site and various others references, is the simple fact smaller/shorter kids have a uphill climb from the beginning. They don't have the luxury of project-ability. They need to get stronger and faster as soon as possible. Don't waste any time. Maximize your measurables through training and instruction.
You can't just be better than the bigger kid, you have to standout.
Just thought I would throw this out there
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I can relate as my son is 5'-9" 175lbs catcher. He has to do things better than most because of his lack of size. Hard for coaches to get around that initially but it can be done.
It is at least a good mantra. In reality, everyone needs to work hard if they want to attain a goal.
Lack of size is an obstacle, but it can be overcome with hard work and talent. My son spent a few years in college catching this guy.
The forums here get these bigger vs. smaller posts from time to time...
Having been through this college recruiting rodeo twice, I agree with Everyday's post. Ultimately, talent will win out most of the time. And yet, I've seen this notion of "project-ability" of the bigger kid play out time and time again...at least in terms of getting an opportunity.
I've also seen the bigger kid get that opportunity, and fail to capitalize on it. The bigger kid will still ultimately need to perform.
For college recruiting, baseball tools matter most, not the physical size of the player. All high school players aspiring to play at the next level: getting bigger, faster, and stronger should be a part of their college recruiting plan. In my experience, it is even more important for the smaller player to get that conditioning so that they are "maximizing their measurables" at showcase time. Just my opinion based on going through the process twice.
Everyday Dad posted:One thing I've learned from this site and various others references, is the simple fact smaller/shorter kids have a uphill climb from the beginning. They don't have the luxury of project-ability. They need to get stronger and faster as soon as possible. Don't waste any time. Maximize your measurables through training and instruction.
You can't just be better than the bigger kid, you have to standout.
Just thought I would throw this out there
I don't think that statement make sense without context. There's another thread right now about what this site is about. If you're talking about going pro or being recruited by a D1, then yeah, probably. But if you're talking about winning the starting SS or CF job on a good HS baseball team, then no. The shorter, faster kid who has lead-off batter type skills and the stronger, more accurate arm will get the job over the taller, slower kid.
Maybe remove one word from your topic to make it 100% accurate in all cases:
I agree for 99% of the college recruiting and also know it plays a part in the D1 realm. We personally experienced this phenomenom. Son is 5'10" & 170lbs soaking wet. Today, as a freshman he has the best breaking ball on the team and is second only to the junior reliever in velo on the FB. He worked hard, really hard and is fortunate. Big guys get noticed first and most, usually.....but they arent always the best.
EDIT- he is a RHP which only adds to the challenge
JCG posted:Everyday Dad posted:One thing I've learned from this site and various others references, is the simple fact smaller/shorter kids have a uphill climb from the beginning. They don't have the luxury of project-ability. They need to get stronger and faster as soon as possible. Don't waste any time. Maximize your measurables through training and instruction.
You can't just be better than the bigger kid, you have to standout.
Just thought I would throw this out there
I don't think that statement make sense without context. There's another thread right now about what this site is about. If you're talking about going pro or being recruited by a D1, then yeah, probably. But if you're talking about winning the starting SS or CF job on a good HS baseball team, then no. The shorter, faster kid who has lead-off batter type skills and the stronger, more accurate arm will get the job over the taller, slower kid.
Maybe remove one word from your topic to make it 100% accurate in all cases:
Guys need to work harder
Should have clarified, for recruiting purposes. And I stand by my statement for that purpose. Just trying to give advice that I have learned here and else ware. If they have a dream to play beyond HS, they need to know and understand, they WILL be neglected for their size somewhat. I challenge ONE college recruiter or scout, who can honestly tell me size doesn't factor AT ALL in what they look for.
Baseball America's current list of the Top 100 draft prospects: www.baseballamerica.com/colleg...-draft-prospects-3/#
80% are listed at 6'1" or more. Clearly height is an advantage.
Agree with the sentiment that everyone needs to work hard. My 8th grader is 6'2" but that doesn't mean jack. What good is it to be big and lazy?
Big guys that project to 1B or COF's are really a dime a dozen. What scouts are looking for are athletes -big and small - but it helps to be bigger. It's easier to move a bigger middle of the diamond guy to the corner (say 1B) but almost impossible to move a corner guy to the middle of the diamond.
Size matters somewhat and may get you a second look but it's not a tool.
There's no doubt size is a big factor in projectability. If a coach/recruiter/scout is looking at 2 kids with similar skills, the bigger/taller one will be given the opportunity. There are smaller guys who can get the job done, but I side with EverydayDad, the smaller guy will have to be much better to get the nod. This is especially true when talking about pitchers. For some reason big guys are viewed as more durable, even though studies have shown otherwise.
End result: smaller guys, larger guys, fat guys, skinny guys need to give 100%. If you give 100%, then there's no more to give, i.e., you can't work any harder. Smaller guys can't work any harder if they're 100% committed to their plan.
I think as parents we tend to mostly see the obstacles our kids face, and feel like all the other kids get a free pass.
Big kids have their own obstacles. I think the story of the early bloomer big kid that dominates youth ball and fizzles on the big field is so prevalent nowadays that every big kid is assumed to be an early bloomer. I think big kids have to prove that they arent that kid. Im pretty sure it was held against my son. He was a big kid who didnt hit puberty full stride until he was almost 14. Hell he is 16 now and he still has a few vestiges of his baby face.
But the bottom line is no matter who you are or what your size , you always have to put in the work. I tell my son all the time that he has to work harder and be better than the smaller kids, because a lot of coaches are biased against large position player kids. Even if its not true, i like the him against the world mentality anyway 
