The importance of PG

I don't really want to downplay the importance of PG. This kid will be in demand and have his choice of many top college programs.

 

But the main reason for all this happening is not PG, it is because this kid can pitch and he throws in the 90s.  That combination tends to get college coaches and MLB scouts excited.

 

The reason I bring this up is because often people think that if their son attends a PG event, that is all it takes.  We even try to tell them, but sometimes our words must be confusing.  It is really pretty simple... If the player has enough talent, good things will happen and everyone will be happy.  If the player lacks the necessary talent, you might feel like you threw your money out the window.  The best players hardly ever get missed, even if they have a bad day.  Kids like the one mentioned in this thread, never get missed!  It doesn't take us, anyone that saw him would recognize his ability.  We just make sure that everyone knows about him.

Knee deep in this right now with my 2016 and his peers.  I would echo PGStaff's response and add from my perspective and with my son the tournaments that PG hosts have been vital for my son and his peers in terms of facilitating a place for them to show their ability.

 

His summer team has a good balance of guys that have attended an individual showcase and guys that have yet to or will not.  All of them have participated in multiple PG tourneys.  A few are already committed, many have taken or are about to take unofficial visits, and all of them have some level of recruiting interest currently.  Most of this is based on playing in and being seen in PG events in TX (1), GA(2 or 3) and FL (2 or 3).

 

My son has visits set up with two schools in the next two weeks.  I have no clue if his local PG showcase results/ratings have anything to do with that (if I had to guess I would say no based on what that rating was and he showcased as a position player but has switched to a pitcher), but I know for certain that these two schools have seen him play several times and only at PG events. 

 

Coaches comment to his summer coaches that they need to see the boys against quality competition to evaluate.  The coaches know that they will get that when they show up to a PG tourney.

 

They wont find you because they have PG .

So as the dad of a catcher (2016) how do you know if he is good enough to attend a PG event where he could get noticed?

 

Seen the movie "Trouble with the Curve"? Nasty left handed pitcher found as a clerk at a run down 2-bit motel!

 

It happens!

 

YGD

 

standballdad,

 

That is a great question.  I wish I could give you an answer that was 100% accurate.

 

As a parent, if you truly understand baseball, you should know. Problem is, as a parent, it is very easy to see things that just aren't there.

 

Here are some ideas...

 

How does he compete where he now plays?  Is he one of the best? Is he a good player, but not a standout? Is he average? Most average HS players don't go on to the next level.

 

Have you seen players perform that are among those getting drafted or getting college offers?

 

Have you watched college baseball at the various divisions?

 

Do you have someone you trust that will give you an unbiased opinion, before you spend money getting one from us?

 

How old is he, how mature is he?  sometimes younger yet to be developed kids create more interest than overly developed physical kids.  The over developed need to have what it takes and show it.  the more projectable types leave lots of room to consider. Sometimes it is worth it for them to attend just for the experience.

 

Check out the profiles of those getting drafted, going to college, etc., on our site.  Look at the running times, throwing velocity, pop times if your a catcher, scouting report and other info.  Find out what the average is for all these things.  Then compare your son.  I would say that if he falls well below average in every area, I would do something else other than PG.

 

Does he have at least one of the following skills... Throwing, fielding, running, hitting, hit with power!  if so he will create interest at a showcase.  Maybe not so much at a tournament unless he shows that ability.  If he does not have a standout tool, but he's a very good player, his best chance would be to play in the tournaments.

 

If he is a pitcher, velocity always stands out, but other things are also important.  Does he have decent secondary pitches, can he control his pitches? Does he get movement on his pitches? Is his delivery and arm action smooth or violent?  does he project? (that is the hard one)

 

I hope that helps a little.

 

 

Standballdad-

 

My son showcased as a catcher.  Send me a dialog and I will be happy to discuss my son's experience and results if you think that might help.

Thank You PG, it does help some, his POP's have been below 1.90 so he tends to show well at events where it is measured. Almost sent him to the PG event this past June in San Diego but I opted out, even had him registered and ready to go. In hindsight  probably should have.   

okay

I think some people over look the fact that they're high quality tournaments. Nothing worse than going to a tournament that doesn't stack up and dominating. Maybe I'm stating the obvious.But if your a high quality player you need to play against the best .That is number one in importatance to me. I think you can gage your kid there on how they stack up against their peers. And if they don't maybe one day, While your watching a MLB game they can say that guy struck me out in three pitches or he took me deep on my best pitch.

Sort of related to this topic. Learning the process..... What is the feedback from the experienced contributors here on playing in the bigger programs/academy teams vs smaller teams that are successful but focus on one team or just a few teams and that maybe focus only on HS level? Some programs are 8-18u for example.

How about teams with losing records, or teams that battle but lose by a run or 2 against a closely matched opponent?

How do these things impact a players noticibility? should my player "tryout" for the bigger clubs? That have the "A" "B" team, etc. Does that equate to more, better, or different opportunities?

Smaller has worked for us. Most of the kids about the same level, playing age up in most tournies, with some successes when playing up. Small roster allows for lots of innings and reps but not overly so. 

Just wondering now that he is at the 16u level, but playing 17u. He will be Jr on varsity next year. Next summer he will play 17u and be 17u. It has been a big jump this season, in the game.  My kid looks 17u, but the game has been noticeably a notch up and he has success, but not the same level he would have if playing down. Next year he will have a year of this level as experience. 

 

Thanks all!

 

 

I am a full-time scout for a Major League team. I get paid to drive around for hours and hours per day, every day, searching for talent.

 

I'm trained to identify tools. (Edit: P.S. this is a very important sentence)

 

The last thing I want to hear is that a kid is attending an event because he wants the exposure. I'm searching for the most talented baseball players I can find that desire to compete at the highest level possible. I can identify the tools - don't tell me you want to get "in front" of people to make sure your tools are noticed. If you're good, they'll be noticed. Trust me.

 

I want kids to want to attend events because they want to be challenged. I want kids to seek out competition. To seek out difficulty. To seek out opposition. If you're going to play in an elite level event, or for an elite level team, do it because you want to be an elite level player.

 

Playing for "exposure" is crap. When you get to college and you're running sprints at 6 AM with a strength and conditioning coach breathing down your neck each day, how is that "exposure" going to help you? When you get to rookie ball and you're playing in 110 degree heat in the middle of the day in front of a total crowd of four coaches, a roving instructor and a video intern on a backfield every single day, how is that "exposure" going to help you?

 

Baseball is not a difficult sport to play. It's a difficult sport in which to excel. The only way to excel is to challenge yourself. Stop seeking out attention and seek out the ability to be the best player you can possibly be. We'll find you, I promise.

 

JH nice post. Agree with you completely, especially the 6AMs!

 Learning the ropes. Just asking questions. The majority of the "events" are dictated by the team you are with.....there are of course individual college camps and showcases, most of the feedback I have read is that college camps are centered in fundraising and some kids may get exposure there. My education is minimal trying to refine the details. I have one athlete. The college part is a breeze, it is the baseball part. In our case only.....Have not done any camp events, showcases, or any of the 100's of email invites to various venues that proclaim exposure. You could spend a lot of money in the wrong areas trying to do what you think might be a good investment..... Thru misguided information. Our situation is team has been in all the big summer events, many summer college showcases, big Florida events. Lots of similar venues for fall! Have next summer and fall too.

So, "ACME" baseball vs "big box" baseball does not mean as much as it may seem?

And winning the entire event, top 8, or 16/200+ teams is not necessarily necessary? My kid is not a "Pro " prospect and no illusions of grandeur. He does have tools though, and so do many other young men we see. I am sure there is a place for him in a program somewhere in America. Just trying to understand how the hook up works. Many of you have been eunthe process with several athletes even and have many, many years of experience,and us, we are on the fast track, for a short time of 3 years +/- it is not like there is a book of instructions and if there is........could someone share. Otherwise, it is learn on the fly.

Tthanks again for the help

PG does a great job of putting together good tournaments and good competition.  Most of the best will attend. This is a great time to challenge yourself against the best.  coaching a good 16U team a couple of years ago we had many scouts at every game.  they where all there to see the same two pitchers.  The other players had a chance to show their stuff at the same time.  One pitcher drafted and one going to a top D1 program (these are the guys JH talks about scouts finding).  All but one of The rest of that 16 man roster will also play college ball. PG and their elite team mates gave them the opportunity, but they earned their status by working and competing their tales off.  To me perfect game gives you a chance to show you can stack up with the best.  

throw'n bb's- The high profile/already committed players weren't the ones I was talking about. I was talking about the ones you highlighted in your post.

 

Thank you for your insight and feedback. Would love to "understand" the baseball business more in depth, but this is a short, one time trip for us. Trying to make educated decisions is tough.

Fanof22- You've made a handful of posts here asking for advice, and they've been answered. There are literally thousands of past posts made about similar questions, all of which still apply today. I don't mean to sound rude, but I'm not really sure what else you're asking for. Every piece of information that can be found is on this website. Learning on your own through the process is inevitable for everyone - I still learn everyday. I've been posting here since I was 15 years old…I've been through high school ball, high school travel ball, college ball, college summer ball, and now find myself working in pro ball. This website is like nothing else in terms of it's value and wealth of knowledge that dates back more than a decade. There's a reason why "Old Timers" like myself keep coming back. We like to learn and share with others. I'd suggest perusing past threads here on the site to find some of the specific information you seek out, and continue to participate in others as you navigate the process.

 

 

My advice - and most certainly not a direct answer to the question - is simple.

 

If your son wants to play - try to help him play wherever he can - whenever he can.

 

Big teams - small teams - high profile - low profile.

 

Play hard every single second - strive to improve every day - and pray to whomever you prefer that at some point - someone will notice and give you the next chance.

 

Then rinse - and repeat.

 

 

 

 

JH has very articulately discribed why this site exists.