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Thanks for posting. Here is an interesting part of the article:
That's the typical situation at 4-year programs, where younger guys with a lot of talent oftentimes have to bide their time until the older talented guys graduate. There are always exceptions, as noted in the article, but recruits should not be surprised if they have to "pay their dues" for a year or two before getting significant playing time.
quote:Take a look at Virginia (9-2), for example. The Cavaliers have their middle infield of the future in freshman SS Stephen Bruno and Reed Gragnani. Bruno is a very impressive 5-for-6 (.833) in early action with a home run and 7 RBIs. Gragnani is 5-for-12 (.417) with 6 RBIs. Neither is going to see his name written on Coach Brian O’Connor’s lineup card much this spring, though, with senior SS Tyler Cannon and junior 2B Phil Gosselin having started a combined 282 college games between them.
That's the typical situation at 4-year programs, where younger guys with a lot of talent oftentimes have to bide their time until the older talented guys graduate. There are always exceptions, as noted in the article, but recruits should not be surprised if they have to "pay their dues" for a year or two before getting significant playing time.
Having watched Stanford a fair amount already this season...they are definitely relying on freshmen. At one point this past weekend we counted 5 of the 9 players on the field as freshmen.
Talented, very talented. But I cannot help but feel for a junior or senior or two. Tough stuff.
Talented, very talented. But I cannot help but feel for a junior or senior or two. Tough stuff.
Coach Stotz told my son they do not recruit to redshirt a player, it is not their philosophy. They expect Freshmen to contribute.
If there are only 11.7 scholarships to divvy up it makes it difficult for a coach to recruit with the intent of using a redshirt.
Every year is a new adventure in earning your spot in college. Coaches want to win and if a freshman is hitting, chances are he'll be in the line-up. A prospect could probably figure this out by reading previous rosters/stats for the college they're looking at. It seems to me from my limited exposure to college bb that some coaches use their older players more. Don't know if this really indicates a pattern or if it's just where the talent is.
Bottom line- you have to out work and out play a competitor for your position. I still chuckle silently when parents of younger recruits say they were told by the college coach that their player will start as a frosh. Maybe, maybe not- you gotta earn it.
Bottom line- you have to out work and out play a competitor for your position. I still chuckle silently when parents of younger recruits say they were told by the college coach that their player will start as a frosh. Maybe, maybe not- you gotta earn it.
USF Bulls here in Tampa start 2 or 3 freshman including Ray Delphey who is a freshman pitcher . Guess the kids are just playing better at the time . I like the old fashioned way of putting best 9 on the field , and playing ball !
At UNC Chapel Hill last year, the 2nd baseman was an early graduating HS senior that chose to enter college a semester early. He played a large part of the season for UNC. His name escapes me.
Almost sounds like D1 coaches prefer to have a plan, but if for whatever reason it does not work...they will pull out all the stops to win.
Almost sounds like D1 coaches prefer to have a plan, but if for whatever reason it does not work...they will pull out all the stops to win.
quote:Originally posted by Bludevil_bk:
Almost sounds like D1 coaches prefer to have a plan,
I beleive many of them do, they play their future draft prospects early, so they leave early. JMO.
Levi Micheal. He is playing 3rd base this season. He was the one that approached the coaching staff about coming in early. Of course they were happy he did.