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As a parent whose son is one year removed from that process I can tell you its a lot like high school. Have your son control what he can control, playing to his best abilities, and don't worry about who is watching, who is going where, or anything else that he has no control over. Summer league is a good start after season. Its the same roller coaster, head scratching ride that coming out of high school is. Tell him to enjoy his 2 years at his Juco. The next 2 will take care of themselves.
+1 oldmanmoses
Why not just see how things unfold.
And enjoy and not worry about what will be in 2 years from now!
It is still all about the right fit, finding someone who loves you rather then likes you.
Grades still play a huge role if not bigger now. Keep an open mind and a wide net. A ton of really good D2 or NAIA schools out there besides D1s with good programs both baseball wise and academically. Good luck and keep us all posted!
From what I have seen from some of my son's friends who went this route it is the same as HS, but delayed by 3-6 months, which makes the process even more maddening. Depending on the player, program, league and visibility, there are some some big variables. Most colleges want to see the players performance during his Soph season, which run past the typical school application cut off time, so players are still out looking at programs offers in the April-June time frame. Add in some prospective colleges are waiting to see who goes in the draft for available slots finding a home can slip to late June. Not knowing where a players is headed until the early summer before school starts can be very unsettling.
My son was redshirted his freshman year at a D1 so spent his sophomore year at a JuCo. He graduated a few weeks ago and we still don't know where he'll be in the fall! Had some nice offers, finally picked a big school in a competitive conference because he loved the pitching coach... and the coach was let go before he sent in his NLI! So pretty much back to the drawing board. I guess my answer to your question is, it can look like anything! Best of luck to your son. I wish mine had had two years at this JuCo. If your son plays well and gets good grades, he'll have lots of opportunities.
BOF your not kidding its maddening! My son signed in August just a few weeks before classes started. But all in all he wound up at a place that loves him. Great offer money wise and he is happy. I guess the point is during this is to keep ones head. My son did, me and the wife were frazzled!
Son just finished his 2nd year at a JuCo (D2). Not a whisper from anyone until the last few weeks of the regular season. Then it was a large number of D3's and a few D2's contacting him after contacting his JuCo coach. It's like they came out of the woodwork.
Believe it or not, his JuCo stats is what got him noticed. He broke the school record for # of doubles hit in the regular season and he was 2nd nationwide in # of doubles. Also had a good batting average (.366).
Anyway - he just verbally committed to a D2 in the past week. Just waiting for the NLI to arrive in the mail. They were looking for some transfers to fill a few holes in their lineup. He happen to fit their needs. The school was also a good fit for him.
Seems like if you're going to get a D1 offer, it will come after the freshman year or early in the sophomore year. At least that's my observation. Most of his JuCo teammates are going to D3's and D2's and a few NAIA's.
My son was offered three days before school started at the college. This was after a strong frosh year in a very good conference. JC coach wasn't happy he was leaving after one year, but it was a very good academic school, PAC 12 and son wanted to go.He got offer after a first round pick signed his professional contract. So after the draft lots of spots can open up.
He never visited, knew nothing but it was a dream school since he was like 7.It was a whirl wind)
My son did, me and the wife were frazzled!
Pretty much described mine during the recruiting process...... She thinks college baseball coaches are a bunch of used car salesmen. (except for coach Stotz who she thinks could sell just about anything, cars included!)
Regarding the stats post. True story. A player from SoCal JC gets recruited from a major SEC powerhouse based solely on his stats. He leads the league in just about every hitting stat. The SEC coach talks to the Jr college coach and he says "yeah this kid can hit about as good as anyone he has seen". The kid did not make a visit to the school, and signs. He shows up for the fall and the JC coach gets a call asking him "are you sure this kid can hit?" as the SEC coach sees him for the first time and starts to wonder what he did and called the JC coach.Turns out he is about 5'10" and a bit "soft". We'll it ends up he can hit and started the next two years at the SEC school.
Like FOG posted a lot happens in a short period of time, late in the process. My guess it is HS recruiting X10
Good luck to all those in the process right now!
PS: Pick a JC who has a coach who is very well connected.
Interesting posts as son is also a JUCO grad looking for the "right fit". Stressful for parents, yes- you can't even imagine. Son has the same poker face at home as he has on the mound lol argh! Son does all the communicating with his JUCO pitching coach/prospective coaches/schools. Have to ask fanofgame-how did your son's school even know that he was interested in that school? How are players letting coaches know they are still unsigned or are they leaving it up to their JUCO coaches? What is the norm?
BOF is 100% correct about picking a JuCo with a well-connected coach. Our son's coach is a great guy, his biggest fan, but it's his first year at a rebuilding program. 64cp, any coach or assistant coach your son has played for can call on his behalf. My son's collegiate wood bat coach, his JuCo coach, his former JuCo pitching coach turned scout, his pitching coach from when we lived in Maryland... they all made calls on his behalf. It helps to have your son make a list of schools and ask those coaches if they know anyone at that school. Best of luck!
