Nobody moderated anything - the original poster decided to remove their own post which is in their right to do.
Vector - for a new poster, you seem to know a lot about things like rules and moderators and how to quote text. Are you a reincarnation of somebody else?
quote:Originally posted by Homerun04:
Vector, I think the post you may be talking about by BillBill, has been moved by the OP to after high school and changed slighly.
You guys are pretty funny, if you don't want your sons to play college ball or just think your sons are too good to play college ball, just make it known to the pro scouts and see how they do for $1,100 a month.
There are a lot of players who are rated 9 by PG who are trying to make the starting line ups at good college programs.
Actually I am not saying anything like that. I am looking to give my son every opportunity to be scouted by colleges, not the pros. It just struck me as very strange to have someone say he was more projectible at a higher level even though he has not gotten much interest from the college level to this point. I understand that he may take longer to develop than what some college programs can invest time wise. However if he is only touching 88 at this point, and needs to improve his curve for the next level, he does not sound like the type of prospect you would expect the pros to be looking for.
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Nobody moderated anything - the original poster decided to remove their own post which is in their right to do.
Vector - for a new poster, you seem to know a lot about things like rules and moderators and how to quote text. Are you a reincarnation of somebody else?
First, how can you tell if someone removed a post vs. it being removed by a mod? That is not to say it didn't happen, I'm just wondering. Most forum platforms do not allow complete removal of a post without a trace. The content might be removed, but the post remains unless taken out by a mod.
As to your speculation about me being someone else, I wish it were true. That may sound funny, but if I had known about this place a few years ago, I would not be so far behind the curve in trying to get my son exposure.
I know about some of the things you mentioned simply having experience with other forums. I am new here, but not to forums or websites in general.
Your son is a rising sr. Based on the information you have given he is not the kind of player that will be drafted. He may be the type of player that in time could be. He may be the type of player that is projectable - if. If he develops over the next couple of years. It is highly unlikely anyone is going to draft a kid pitching from the rs at 84 who can touch 88.
I have to assume that what you are being told is that they like his potential - IF.
Thousands of kids get interest from scouts every year. But way less are going to get drafted each year. So in the mean time they must have a place to continue developing at the game. These young men go to college and continue their careers. Some continue to develop and indeed turn in to draft guys.
So unless a scouting director is willing to put his job on the line and offer you a signing bonus and a draft position to a RHP that pitches at 84 and can touch 88 your going to need to focus on assisting him on finding a place to develop as a player. That means a college coach somewhere is going to have to show enough interest in him to offer him the opportunity to play.
Or you can sit back and hope someone takes a chance on him?
Scouts like kids that project. Scouts like kids that can play. Scouts turn kids in for the draft that not only project but also have the tools needed to compete. Quite frankly your son by the numbers you have given is not there. Now if these scouts are so high on them just ask them a simple question next time they are raining down this praise on your son. "What round and how much?" Let us know what they say.
There is a reason your son is not garnering more interest from college coaches. He is a rhp that pitches at 84. I hope you understand just how many HS pitchers do that? I am not trying to be an a - hole here. But the reality of it is - it is what it is.
I have to assume that what you are being told is that they like his potential - IF.
Thousands of kids get interest from scouts every year. But way less are going to get drafted each year. So in the mean time they must have a place to continue developing at the game. These young men go to college and continue their careers. Some continue to develop and indeed turn in to draft guys.
So unless a scouting director is willing to put his job on the line and offer you a signing bonus and a draft position to a RHP that pitches at 84 and can touch 88 your going to need to focus on assisting him on finding a place to develop as a player. That means a college coach somewhere is going to have to show enough interest in him to offer him the opportunity to play.
Or you can sit back and hope someone takes a chance on him?
Scouts like kids that project. Scouts like kids that can play. Scouts turn kids in for the draft that not only project but also have the tools needed to compete. Quite frankly your son by the numbers you have given is not there. Now if these scouts are so high on them just ask them a simple question next time they are raining down this praise on your son. "What round and how much?" Let us know what they say.
There is a reason your son is not garnering more interest from college coaches. He is a rhp that pitches at 84. I hope you understand just how many HS pitchers do that? I am not trying to be an a - hole here. But the reality of it is - it is what it is.
quote:Originally posted by Coach_May:
Your son is a rising sr. Based on the information you have given he is not the kind of player that will be drafted. He may be the type of player that in time could be. He may be the type of player that is projectable - if. If he develops over the next couple of years. It is highly unlikely anyone is going to draft a kid pitching from the rs at 84 who can touch 88.
I have to assume that what you are being told is that they like his potential - IF.
Thousands of kids get interest from scouts every year. But way less are going to get drafted each year. So in the mean time they must have a place to continue developing at the game. These young men go to college and continue their careers. Some continue to develop and indeed turn in to draft guys.
So unless a scouting director is willing to put his job on the line and offer you a signing bonus and a draft position to a RHP that pitches at 84 and can touch 88 your going to need to focus on assisting him on finding a place to develop as a player. That means a college coach somewhere is going to have to show enough interest in him to offer him the opportunity to play.
Or you can sit back and hope someone takes a chance on him?
Scouts like kids that project. Scouts like kids that can play. Scouts turn kids in for the draft that not only project but also have the tools needed to compete. Quite frankly your son by the numbers you have given is not there. Now if these scouts are so high on them just ask them a simple question next time they are raining down this praise on your son. "What round and how much?" Let us know what they say.
There is a reason your son is not garnering more interest from college coaches. He is a rhp that pitches at 84. I hope you understand just how many HS pitchers do that? I am not trying to be an a - hole here. But the reality of it is - it is what it is.
Agreed.
Vector - I have to be honest, you seem like you might be trying to stir the pot around here (i.e., troll).
You need to be targeting D3's and juco's as several here have advised - not D1's and the pros. I think you know that, yet you appear to enjoy tweaking people with all this other smokescreen stuff (scouts blowing smoke up your butt).
Vector, living right in Fl, you really need to get him to Jupiter in Oct. for PG WWBA, and see if some college interest is drawn from that event.
You should try getting your son to some local DII college camps that may have other colleges in attendance and look to furthering his education as this point.
My son is also "flying under the radar" per say, and he has drawn more interest from the MLB, than colleges. He is just starting to get calls from all types of colleges, due to his performance at the last couple events he has been at. Why now? because he has continuously worked on his game, and he has performed above and beyong what he did just 2 months again during the heat of the season.
Have your son continue improving, get him more exposure and as another posted stated in a different thread. " Prepare for College and Adjust to the Draft"
Good Luck to your son, and don't give up the dream.
You should try getting your son to some local DII college camps that may have other colleges in attendance and look to furthering his education as this point.
My son is also "flying under the radar" per say, and he has drawn more interest from the MLB, than colleges. He is just starting to get calls from all types of colleges, due to his performance at the last couple events he has been at. Why now? because he has continuously worked on his game, and he has performed above and beyong what he did just 2 months again during the heat of the season.
Have your son continue improving, get him more exposure and as another posted stated in a different thread. " Prepare for College and Adjust to the Draft"
Good Luck to your son, and don't give up the dream.
That was TxMom who posted, a well respected long time poster and no one had any reason to remove the post, perhaps TxMom decided that after reading the entire thread it wasn't relevant, though she gave you some really great advice, and IMO, her son's situations were no where near yours. In other words, I'll bet they worked their butts off to get them where they wanted to go.
In my last post here, the way in which I posted I was told by the OP it was a thread killer, I don't see it that way, and it hasn't stopped has it?
I'll repeat what others have said (and pay special attention to what Coach May has said) put aside this pro stuff discussion and concentrate on the inportant business at hand, which is helping HIM to find a place to go to school and continue playing, if that is what HE wants. And as TxMom said, a place where HE wants to go and will be happy, which might or might not include baseball.
Whatever comes from that experience (getting drafted later) is just a bonus.
In my last post here, the way in which I posted I was told by the OP it was a thread killer, I don't see it that way, and it hasn't stopped has it?
I'll repeat what others have said (and pay special attention to what Coach May has said) put aside this pro stuff discussion and concentrate on the inportant business at hand, which is helping HIM to find a place to go to school and continue playing, if that is what HE wants. And as TxMom said, a place where HE wants to go and will be happy, which might or might not include baseball.
Whatever comes from that experience (getting drafted later) is just a bonus.
If IN FACT the boy is pro draft projectible it would seem to me that colleges would be on him
TR you have been at this much longer than I have and I have been at it for awhile. You know that every player you have ever coached that had the scouts on him also had the college coaches on him. At least the ones that had seen him in action.
There are players that I see who are not "Big Time" recruits who I believe in a couple of years have the opportunity to "blow up" and become draft guys. But they are also guys that many college coaches see the same thing in and they are on.
The first thing any good scout does when he see's a kid that is not a draft guy "RHP 84" who they believe has a lot of potential is call their college coaching contacts and get them on them. They don't lead them to believe they are going to be drafted and they are better suited for the draft "pro ball" than the college route.
I sat back and read post after post and finally had to weigh in on this one. A rising sr at 84 from the right side needs to be putting his entire focus baseball wise on securing a good fit at the college level. When you have reached the level of "pro ball" the draft will let you know then.
There are players that I see who are not "Big Time" recruits who I believe in a couple of years have the opportunity to "blow up" and become draft guys. But they are also guys that many college coaches see the same thing in and they are on.
The first thing any good scout does when he see's a kid that is not a draft guy "RHP 84" who they believe has a lot of potential is call their college coaching contacts and get them on them. They don't lead them to believe they are going to be drafted and they are better suited for the draft "pro ball" than the college route.
I sat back and read post after post and finally had to weigh in on this one. A rising sr at 84 from the right side needs to be putting his entire focus baseball wise on securing a good fit at the college level. When you have reached the level of "pro ball" the draft will let you know then.
quote:Originally posted by Coach_May:
There is a reason your son is not garnering more interest from college coaches. He is a rhp that pitches at 84. I hope you understand just how many HS pitchers do that? I am not trying to be an a - hole here. But the reality of it is - it is what it is.
I appreciate all the advice. I am certainly trying to catch up because we did virtually nothing the last few years compared with what others have(travel ball that goes to scouted tourneys, showcases, camps, etc.).
The original "pro vs. college recruit" comment came from a stranger who said he was a former scout. That was strange enough for me to start this discussion to see if others had any similar experience. When the former D1 coach said close to the same thing to me(not paid or any reason to play my son up), I was also surprised. The bottom line for me is to help my son get into a good college that fits him, and that he can also play baseball at. He loves the game and would not even consider going to a place where he could not play. I think that is what is helping him to not apply to his "dream schools" which were based on top D1 baseball rather than the college itself. Heck if I could get him into a place like John Hopkins at D3 that would be great. So all my free time and effort will be getting him exposed this fall and winter using the advice I have been receiving on this forum.
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Vector - I have to be honest, you seem like you might be trying to stir the pot around here (i.e., troll).
You need to be targeting D3's and juco's as several here have advised - not D1's and the pros. I think you know that, yet you appear to enjoy tweaking people with all this other smokescreen stuff (scouts blowing smoke up your butt).
It is too bad you feel that way, not to mention your suspicion that I am some other poster who came back with a different ID. I have tried to be as honest and forthright as possible, yet you seem to see something nefarious behind my efforts. So be it as I am not looking to win any popularity contests here. My only goal is to educate myself in an effort to help my son achieve his goal of playing baseball at the next level. He plays multiple sports now, but is not good enough to play them in college. However everyone has told me he has what it takes to play baseball in college, so it is now a mission to find the right program. If I can help him achieve that by being a member of this forum, then the time will have been well spent.
If he wants to play in Florida, he will need to start courting JUCO's now. They fill up fast and are at least as competitive (as far as roster spots go) as Top programs nationally. Everyone would like to play in Florida.
quote:Originally posted by floridafan:
If he wants to play in Florida, he will need to start courting JUCO's now. They fill up fast and are at least as competitive (as far as roster spots go) as Top programs nationally. Everyone would like to play in Florida.
Exactly but juco ball is beneath some here.
I saw a comment in another thread where so and so would only play in the south. Everybody and their brother wants to play in the south. The serious ones will find a fit - north, south, east, west, regardless. They also won't be touting a "D1 or bust" attitude. My comments are general in nature and not directed at any poster.
CD,
Some with a D1 or bust attitude are willing to take the JC route to get there. One would assume that attitude would then adjust depending on the reality of performance at the JC level.
Vector,
Just for comparison, when mine was a rising senior he was realistically pitching 84ish (83-85 on a good day) and touching 87 or 88. He only got serious interest from college coaches the times he went out there and threw 85-87 with good movement which he could do on a good day for an inning or two. That's interest, not offers.
BTW, a scout once told my son his upside was as a #5 starter or middle relief guy. I think he was trying to discourage him but of course my son took it as a big time positive. He also told him he had to get over 90 mph or he'd never get a look.
Some with a D1 or bust attitude are willing to take the JC route to get there. One would assume that attitude would then adjust depending on the reality of performance at the JC level.
Vector,
Just for comparison, when mine was a rising senior he was realistically pitching 84ish (83-85 on a good day) and touching 87 or 88. He only got serious interest from college coaches the times he went out there and threw 85-87 with good movement which he could do on a good day for an inning or two. That's interest, not offers.
BTW, a scout once told my son his upside was as a #5 starter or middle relief guy. I think he was trying to discourage him but of course my son took it as a big time positive. He also told him he had to get over 90 mph or he'd never get a look.
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
CD,
Some with a D1 or bust attitude are willing to take the JC route to get there. One would assume that attitude would then adjust depending on the reality of performance at the JC level.
Willing to take the juco route is not a D1 or bust attitude imho but I am pretty sure you and I are saying the same thing.
CD,
Yeah, I thought about the "or bust" part after I posted it. What I meant was that he preferred the JUCO route with a possible D1 spot at the end of the rainbow to a D3 or out of state D2 or out of state lower level D1.
Yeah, I thought about the "or bust" part after I posted it. What I meant was that he preferred the JUCO route with a possible D1 spot at the end of the rainbow to a D3 or out of state D2 or out of state lower level D1.
quote:Originally posted by Momof1B:
Vector, living right in Fl, you really need to get him to Jupiter in Oct. for PG WWBA, and see if some college interest is drawn from that event.
You should try getting your son to some local DII college camps that may have other colleges in attendance and look to furthering his education as this point.
My son is also "flying under the radar" per say, and he has drawn more interest from the MLB, than colleges. He is just starting to get calls from all types of colleges, due to his performance at the last couple events he has been at. Why now? because he has continuously worked on his game, and he has performed above and beyong what he did just 2 months again during the heat of the season.
Have your son continue improving, get him more exposure and as another posted stated in a different thread. " Prepare for College and Adjust to the Draft"
Good Luck to your son, and don't give up the dream.
Thanks, and good luck with your son as well. My plan is to get him to the PG Jupiter event and have requested an invite. I am also trying to get him on a team that will go there, so hopefully between the two it will happen. Between that and a few other suggestions I hope to follow, he should have a decent chance to be seen by a number of college scouts.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
If IN FACT the boy is pro draft projectible it would seem to me that colleges would be on him
My thinking exactly, hence the reason for me being perplexed by the pro comments. However he has not really been to any important events, and until this summer had not showcased at all, so it is no surprise he is not on the college radars. Now if he were a lefty throwing 90+ I'm guessing word would have spread. Then again that is my old school way of thinking, and apparently parents need to promote their kids unless they are total studs at this age. In my day I was recruited and never did any of the things kids do today, but that was also back in the early 80's. Live and learn. I'm just glad it is not too late at this point.
quote:Originally posted by floridafan:
If he wants to play in Florida, he will need to start courting JUCO's now. They fill up fast and are at least as competitive (as far as roster spots go) as Top programs nationally. Everyone would like to play in Florida.
Strangely enough he is not set on staying in Florida which is too bad since we have paid off the Florida Prepaid College Fund. He also qualifies for the Bright Futures which again means little to no tuition costs if he stayed in state. He would stay if we found the right fit for him, but he is more interested in the Carolinas, Virginia, etc., after having gotten a sense of the area and people last spring.
Hi Vector,
I accidentally deleted my post while trying to edit on my Iphone. Tiny screen. Sorry about that!
I clearly remember how frustrated I was when we were going through similar experiences. Both of our sons were top students, had good exposure, and were drafted out of high school in later rounds. However, both had little interest from major D1 programs here TX. The first signed with a second tier D1 program in the spring of his senior year, was drafted again his junior collegiate year, and went on to play 8 years in the pros. He had a wonderful baseball and academic experience at his school and probably wouldn't have had as much opportunity to develop at a top Texas program. It was a great fit!
Our second son, also a top student, signed with a JUCO for its pitching coach, Skip Johnson, who is now the pitching coach at Texas. He, also, had a great baseball and academic experience, even though he suffered several injuries/surgeries throughout his collegiate career. He took advanced classes, transfered to a Big 12 program after 2 years, and graduated with honors 2 years later. He never reached his pro potential, but has a ton of wonderful collegiate baseball memories and is gainfully employed in a great career. No regrets on his path either.
Based on our experiences, your son needs to keep an open mind to every opportunity that comes his way. Let him visit every campus that shows interest and speak with both the coach and an academic advisor. Help him sort out the positives and negatives and then let him make the decision based on what is important to him...not others. More often than not, he will know a good fit when he sees it. He's also more likely to make any situation successful if he's invested in the decision.
Finally, stay positive and try not to worry too much about the future. Any path he takes will be full of twists and turns, which will only mold him into a better man.
I accidentally deleted my post while trying to edit on my Iphone. Tiny screen. Sorry about that!
I clearly remember how frustrated I was when we were going through similar experiences. Both of our sons were top students, had good exposure, and were drafted out of high school in later rounds. However, both had little interest from major D1 programs here TX. The first signed with a second tier D1 program in the spring of his senior year, was drafted again his junior collegiate year, and went on to play 8 years in the pros. He had a wonderful baseball and academic experience at his school and probably wouldn't have had as much opportunity to develop at a top Texas program. It was a great fit!
Our second son, also a top student, signed with a JUCO for its pitching coach, Skip Johnson, who is now the pitching coach at Texas. He, also, had a great baseball and academic experience, even though he suffered several injuries/surgeries throughout his collegiate career. He took advanced classes, transfered to a Big 12 program after 2 years, and graduated with honors 2 years later. He never reached his pro potential, but has a ton of wonderful collegiate baseball memories and is gainfully employed in a great career. No regrets on his path either.
Based on our experiences, your son needs to keep an open mind to every opportunity that comes his way. Let him visit every campus that shows interest and speak with both the coach and an academic advisor. Help him sort out the positives and negatives and then let him make the decision based on what is important to him...not others. More often than not, he will know a good fit when he sees it. He's also more likely to make any situation successful if he's invested in the decision.
Finally, stay positive and try not to worry too much about the future. Any path he takes will be full of twists and turns, which will only mold him into a better man.
For me the key word has just been introduced by Vector--"former" scout---that can mean a load of things to many people---there a load of so-called"former" scouts hanging around baseball fields
quote:we have paid off the Florida Prepaid College Fund.
OMG:
The Florida Prepaid College Fund can be used at many, if not all state Colleges.
15 min is up
Vector,
I've been reading this thread for the past couple of weeks, and you've received excellent advice thus far from members that I respect. I especially enjoyed the post from TxMom, who has two young men with baseball talent that ended up on slightly different paths. Both of her boys were drafted out of high school, and neither of them were sought after by Major D1 schools in their area, a baseball hot bed, as you live in too! Her eldest son didn't sign with a Mid Major D1 until the spring of his senior year, and her youngest began his college career at a Juco. As Cleveland Dad and others have stated, the scouting game is quite subjective, unless of course your son is throwing 90 plus...and this is not the case. Coach A may look at a player much differently than Coach B does, hopefully your son is able to peak the interest of one of them?
On a side note, my son had a teammate last year that was a first year varsity player as a senior, a RHP that sat in the low to mid 80's. Like your son, he didn't participate in many high profile tournaments/showcases until his junior year was completed. He was able to increase his velocity to the mid to upper 80's, and signed with a mid-major D1 team that plays in one of the strongest conferences in the nation. I'm proud of this kid, he worked his tail off and remained positive throughout the recruiting process. I'm looking forward to watching him progress over the next couple of years.
It only takes one coach for your son to impress, and he's already got a head start if indeed he's 6'4" 190LBS. He's still has time to work his rear off, increase his velocity, and work on his off-speed pitches over the next few months. My kid is in the same boat as your son, as he too is an unsigned 2011 looking for a home. We as parents need to relax (easier said, than done!
), and realize that it's still relatively early in the recruiting game...best of luck to your son, and please keep us updated on his progress.
I've been reading this thread for the past couple of weeks, and you've received excellent advice thus far from members that I respect. I especially enjoyed the post from TxMom, who has two young men with baseball talent that ended up on slightly different paths. Both of her boys were drafted out of high school, and neither of them were sought after by Major D1 schools in their area, a baseball hot bed, as you live in too! Her eldest son didn't sign with a Mid Major D1 until the spring of his senior year, and her youngest began his college career at a Juco. As Cleveland Dad and others have stated, the scouting game is quite subjective, unless of course your son is throwing 90 plus...and this is not the case. Coach A may look at a player much differently than Coach B does, hopefully your son is able to peak the interest of one of them?
On a side note, my son had a teammate last year that was a first year varsity player as a senior, a RHP that sat in the low to mid 80's. Like your son, he didn't participate in many high profile tournaments/showcases until his junior year was completed. He was able to increase his velocity to the mid to upper 80's, and signed with a mid-major D1 team that plays in one of the strongest conferences in the nation. I'm proud of this kid, he worked his tail off and remained positive throughout the recruiting process. I'm looking forward to watching him progress over the next couple of years.
It only takes one coach for your son to impress, and he's already got a head start if indeed he's 6'4" 190LBS. He's still has time to work his rear off, increase his velocity, and work on his off-speed pitches over the next few months. My kid is in the same boat as your son, as he too is an unsigned 2011 looking for a home. We as parents need to relax (easier said, than done!
), and realize that it's still relatively early in the recruiting game...best of luck to your son, and please keep us updated on his progress.
For my 2 cents, the aspect of being projectable is one only coaches or scouts can decide and it is subjective. A parent who gets wrapped up or around it needs to appreciate the risks that go with it.
Lots of rear view mirror experience suggests that a parent and player need to appreciate fully and accept those risks if they want to base decisions how words are being spoken rather than actions being taken.
There is a vast difference between someone saying how they "project" a pitcher and a coach putting a scholarship and place on the roster in front of that pitcher.
There is a vast difference between someone thought to be a scout saying "projectable" and MLB scouts/scouting bureau being there with pen/paper and information sheets to be completed.
For a pitcher, there can be a vast difference between what is seen throwing a bullpen vs. what is seen when coaches watch that same pitcher in the last inning of a very meaningful game.
If a player or pitcher who is a senior in HS is not receiving interest or offers from DI programs at this stage, my opinion is they have Chris Lambert exposure type issues or they are not yet viewed as a guy who will get hitters out at the DI level. The lack of interest from DI coaches needs to be listened to as it is sending a message. It may not be the ultimate correct message, but it is the current message.
One of our son's teammates and very good friends was 6'3 and about 210 lbs coming out of HS. He was 83-84 coming out of HS and could really pitch. He also had limited interest which included a walk on offer with a Pac10, a smaller baseball scholarship coupled with a good financial aid package to a good WCC school, and a DIII coach for whom he was a top recruit out of the Stanford Camp.
He chose the DIII and became a DIII All-American pitcher. He also got placed in the Cape where he did just fine, not great, perhaps, but fine. He competed and proved he could get guys out.
What he realized there, however, was he likely was not going beyond college.
When he graduated from college, he was still pitching with a velocity of 83-84 and touching 86-87. He could really pitch with the very best move to 2b I have even seen at any level, including MLB.
In the rear view mirror, the DIII coach and those who ranked and rated at the Stanford Camp probably did the best in projecting. This pitcher had a wonderful 4 years of competing in college because he listened to and heard what was not being said to him by the vast number of DI programs in which he had interest.
Lots of rear view mirror experience suggests that a parent and player need to appreciate fully and accept those risks if they want to base decisions how words are being spoken rather than actions being taken.
There is a vast difference between someone saying how they "project" a pitcher and a coach putting a scholarship and place on the roster in front of that pitcher.
There is a vast difference between someone thought to be a scout saying "projectable" and MLB scouts/scouting bureau being there with pen/paper and information sheets to be completed.
For a pitcher, there can be a vast difference between what is seen throwing a bullpen vs. what is seen when coaches watch that same pitcher in the last inning of a very meaningful game.
If a player or pitcher who is a senior in HS is not receiving interest or offers from DI programs at this stage, my opinion is they have Chris Lambert exposure type issues or they are not yet viewed as a guy who will get hitters out at the DI level. The lack of interest from DI coaches needs to be listened to as it is sending a message. It may not be the ultimate correct message, but it is the current message.
One of our son's teammates and very good friends was 6'3 and about 210 lbs coming out of HS. He was 83-84 coming out of HS and could really pitch. He also had limited interest which included a walk on offer with a Pac10, a smaller baseball scholarship coupled with a good financial aid package to a good WCC school, and a DIII coach for whom he was a top recruit out of the Stanford Camp.
He chose the DIII and became a DIII All-American pitcher. He also got placed in the Cape where he did just fine, not great, perhaps, but fine. He competed and proved he could get guys out.
What he realized there, however, was he likely was not going beyond college.
When he graduated from college, he was still pitching with a velocity of 83-84 and touching 86-87. He could really pitch with the very best move to 2b I have even seen at any level, including MLB.
In the rear view mirror, the DIII coach and those who ranked and rated at the Stanford Camp probably did the best in projecting. This pitcher had a wonderful 4 years of competing in college because he listened to and heard what was not being said to him by the vast number of DI programs in which he had interest.
Some of the best pitchers you will find will fall into this category. They actually have to learn to pitch to have success in hs. They also understand that they have to pitch to get hitters out at the next level and often find themselves in a solid role at the college level once they show they can actually pitch. One kid that comes to mind was a mid 80's rhp in high school who could flat out pitch and spin it with the best of them. He had no offers from the top D1 programs but he kept dominating the best hs hitters in the state at showcase after showcase. One college coach at a major D1 finally gave the kid a shot because he saw him do this too many times to ignoer. The kid was a freshman AA and now after a ton of work and three years of busting it sits at 89-91 and will be a nice draft pick next June.
On the flipside you see high velo guys in hs just blow it by many hitters and have a ton of success. Then they go to college and get jacked trying to throw it by guys that they cant throw it by. They lose confidence , start to nibble and then cant throw strikes. Before you know it the other guy who can pitch but may not throw as hard is eating up his innings.
I have seen this scenario play out many times. So my whole point is find a good fit to develop at. Find a place where they really want you and go to work.
On the flipside you see high velo guys in hs just blow it by many hitters and have a ton of success. Then they go to college and get jacked trying to throw it by guys that they cant throw it by. They lose confidence , start to nibble and then cant throw strikes. Before you know it the other guy who can pitch but may not throw as hard is eating up his innings.
I have seen this scenario play out many times. So my whole point is find a good fit to develop at. Find a place where they really want you and go to work.
Don't want to stray from the subject other than to follow up on the move to 2nd I referenced in the post above.
Our son's were playing in the championship game to earn a Regional spot with Mike pitching and our's playing short.
The other team was coached by one of the winningest coaches of all time and legends in coaching college baseball.
That coach had been watching his players get picked by the move for 4 years.
In the 4th inning, one of their freshman got to 2B.
With his legendary coach screaming and yelling at him from the 3B coaching box to watch the pick off move, the kid took a very short lead... and turned his head slightly toward his coach.
From the 3B coaching box, with the best Southern drawl, came the longest and loudest "Dam##t" I have ever heard.
Our son's were playing in the championship game to earn a Regional spot with Mike pitching and our's playing short.
The other team was coached by one of the winningest coaches of all time and legends in coaching college baseball.
That coach had been watching his players get picked by the move for 4 years.
In the 4th inning, one of their freshman got to 2B.
With his legendary coach screaming and yelling at him from the 3B coaching box to watch the pick off move, the kid took a very short lead... and turned his head slightly toward his coach.
From the 3B coaching box, with the best Southern drawl, came the longest and loudest "Dam##t" I have ever heard.
Coach May,
An associate scout saw my son at a Friday game when he was having trouble hitting 83. Lots of movement but no velocity. On Sunday the scout was at a college camp my son was at. A JC coach came over and talked to my son after talking to the scout. He threw 85-87 at the camp and the movement got the D1 head coach to ask who he was. The JC guy recruited him pretty strongly after that. The scouts certainly do pass on players to the college guys.
An associate scout saw my son at a Friday game when he was having trouble hitting 83. Lots of movement but no velocity. On Sunday the scout was at a college camp my son was at. A JC coach came over and talked to my son after talking to the scout. He threw 85-87 at the camp and the movement got the D1 head coach to ask who he was. The JC guy recruited him pretty strongly after that. The scouts certainly do pass on players to the college guys.
Yes indeed. I am an associate scout for Tampa. Everytime I am asked to go see a player I send back a report to my area scouting director. Everytime I also contact the college coaches I believe would be interested and I tell them about the player. I get calls all the time from college coaches asking me if I have seen a certain player and what I think about the player to include contact information.
Have you seen so and so? What did you think? Can he play for us? Is anyone on him? What kind of kid is he? Do you have contact information on him?
Many times the player has no idea I am even there. Many times they are contacted by a school and have no idea how they got on him. Several times kids have ended up at a school and have no idea how it all actually got started. This happens all the time. The fact is if I got a tenth of the players signed by our club that I helped get on a college roster I probably wouldnt be sitting here typing on this computer. I would probably be sipping a cold drink on a tropical island.
Have you seen so and so? What did you think? Can he play for us? Is anyone on him? What kind of kid is he? Do you have contact information on him?
Many times the player has no idea I am even there. Many times they are contacted by a school and have no idea how they got on him. Several times kids have ended up at a school and have no idea how it all actually got started. This happens all the time. The fact is if I got a tenth of the players signed by our club that I helped get on a college roster I probably wouldnt be sitting here typing on this computer. I would probably be sipping a cold drink on a tropical island.