Some of this has already happened, some is hypothetical or "best guess" about what will happen next.
A tall, thin RHP is successful as a HS pitcher throwing 78-80 mph with control, deception, and 3 or 4 good pitches he can use in games (not a big baseball state). He has exposure several times to the coaching staff of an in-state DI and they like his build (6'4" and 170 lbs), his potential and his personality, but of course he doesn't throw hard enough to play DI.
RHP then attends an in-state DIII, no baseball scholarship, pitches successfully and gets bigger and stronger, improves mechanics. After two years at the DIII he is throwing 86-88 mph and still only 180-185 lbs at 6'4", has potential to keep getting stronger. Still also throws several breaking pitches with control and deception, gets batters out and wins games.
The RHP would like to transfer to the DI after two years at the DIII for both academic and baseball reasons, but only if he has a fairly solid belief that he will (eventually) be able to play two years of DI varsity baseball. A friend of the family is a former MLB player who graduated from the DI being considered, and would be willing to talk to the pitching coach about this situation, either hypothetically or naming the player if that is allowed. If the RHP's name was mentioned, the DI pitching coach would remember him, and this coach has seen the RHP pitch in games and get good batters out with the former low velocity.
The RHP would be willing to sit out of playing the first year at the DI (his 3rd year of college) since he might need 5 years to graduate if some credits don't transfer. He is not looking for any baseball scholarship money but wants to have some idea of how he would fit into the DI program before he decides on a transfer. Mostly wants to know if he is almost sure to make the roster, then figures he can prove himself once he gets there.
Questions:
Can the family friend (ex-MLBer) talk to the DI coach about the pitcher by name, or only hypothetically?
If the pitcher decides to transfer, would he need a release from the DIII coach even though there was no NLI?
Would the pitcher be eligible to play at the DI right away if he had a release from the DIII coach, or would he need to sit out one year, with or without a release? Would that be considered a red-shirt year, or would he be unable to practice with the team?
Thanks for any info about this topic.
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