For the showcase veterans out there:
What criteria is used in selecting the top prospect team from an event? What are the advantages of being named to the top prospect team of an event?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Hi, Rookie 2010. I'm no expert, but we were at the PG underclassmen showcase last month. There were four players on our team who were chosen for Top Prospects.
SS threw 91 in the infield, and is a natural on D.
OF/P threw 88 from the OF, pitched at 87.
3B threw 86 in the infield and hit well during the games.
C had a pop time of 1.99 and played very well during the games.
I would guess that if you can get their attention during the skills phase with a fast 60, a cannon, or a good pop time, then they'll look more closely during the games.
I'm sure that being on a Top Prospect team has the advantage of giving you more attention. But I'd be interested to hear what others think on this topic.
SS threw 91 in the infield, and is a natural on D.
OF/P threw 88 from the OF, pitched at 87.
3B threw 86 in the infield and hit well during the games.
C had a pop time of 1.99 and played very well during the games.
I would guess that if you can get their attention during the skills phase with a fast 60, a cannon, or a good pop time, then they'll look more closely during the games.
I'm sure that being on a Top Prospect team has the advantage of giving you more attention. But I'd be interested to hear what others think on this topic.
We were there too. It seemed to me the kids were picked before they even walked out on the field? I networked with other parents and it seemed if they had been with PG camps before they were the ones being selected for the teams. "The more money given, the more your son will be seen?" That is what we left with.
SS threw 91 in the infield, and is a natural on D.
OF/P threw 88 from the OF, pitched at 87.
3B threw 86 in the infield and hit well during the games.
C had a pop time of 1.99 and played very well during the games.
With the numbers above, it doesn't matter how much money those guys spent, those are projectable players.
Perfect game....in my experience, operates with the highest integrity. Money spent has nothing to do with it. If the players chosen had been to other events, then the PG staffers have had more opportunities to evaluate.
Oldest son was never a "top prospect" and was completely unknown and unwanted before PG event his senior HS season. Came home with 5 full JUCO offers. PG projected him to be high level D-1 and potential pro player. Exactly where he ended up.
I can tell you this, there have been multiple times that I have been to showcases, games, and tryouts when I could tell you who the top prospects were before they ever took the field. Some players just look the part.
I suggest going to as many PG events as you can. The money is well worth it!
OF/P threw 88 from the OF, pitched at 87.
3B threw 86 in the infield and hit well during the games.
C had a pop time of 1.99 and played very well during the games.
quote:
With the numbers above, it doesn't matter how much money those guys spent, those are projectable players.
Perfect game....in my experience, operates with the highest integrity. Money spent has nothing to do with it. If the players chosen had been to other events, then the PG staffers have had more opportunities to evaluate.
Oldest son was never a "top prospect" and was completely unknown and unwanted before PG event his senior HS season. Came home with 5 full JUCO offers. PG projected him to be high level D-1 and potential pro player. Exactly where he ended up.
I can tell you this, there have been multiple times that I have been to showcases, games, and tryouts when I could tell you who the top prospects were before they ever took the field. Some players just look the part.
I suggest going to as many PG events as you can. The money is well worth it!
quote:Some players just look the part.
Yes, they do. I thought the players that were selected from our team all deserved the honor. Two of them had not been to a PG showcase before (although all of our team, including 2B, had played in PG tournaments last summer). The other two were top prospects last year, too. 2B is just a sophomore, so we went in with no expectations, and we were very happy with the experience. To sort of address floridamom's concern, having been to this showcase, 2B will approach things differently next year because he'll have a better idea of what they're looking for. He made a mistake in his approach during the IF skills part in that he threw for accuracy, not for velocity. He was perfect, but the velo wasn't where it could have been. He had been forewarned, but if you're a quick release kind of IF, it doesn't really sink in until you see those guys rear back and gun it over the fence. In that way, I think having been to a prior PG event does give an advantage. I think it's about the experience, not the $$.
Edit - I will say this. The SS was going to be a top prospect going in. This was his 3rd PG event, and he threw >90 every year, and had that great glove, and there was just no doubt. So the very cool thing that our coach did was to move him over to 2B, and let 2B have most of the time at SS. He had a bunch of chances and converted them all. It was fun. The SS also got an inning in CF, which was pretty fun to watch. One guy on the other team hit a single out to him, and took the turn at first. The SS threw a 90+ laser beam behind him and we got him in a rundown. What fun! Did I mention it was fun?
