Was Putting Son up a Grade Higher a big Mistake?

He doesn't enjoy pitching (though he is an effective pitcher at the youth level).  He primary love is catching but also enjoys playing middle infield.  His secondary positions in his travel team has been second base and center fielder.  I think the best opportunity for him right now in HS varsity going into his sophomore year is catcher (not as many competition in that position).

@TPM posted:

You need to let mother nature take her course. Stay with his age group. Someone said age doesn't matter. I dont necessarily agree. The only  time it doesn't matter is if you are a dude and play well. 

 

This is the main reason he is wishing I reclassed him, to give him more time to grow and compete with other kids closer to his size.  He thinks his measurables shines more with the other 2024s.

This is a really hard question to answer, because no I don't think you made a mistake in placing your son up a grade.  And, I think those that have given the advice to get bigger and stronger are absolutely correct.

However, I can think of three different local kids that my son played with who had summer birthdays.  All three took a "homeschool year" between 8th and 9th grade, re-entered 9th grade a year later, and went from being the youngest in their class to the oldest.  All three ended up D1 baseball commits.

But the landscape is changing.  My son's class, the 2019 class, seems to be showing what the future will look like to some degree.  I have seen so many of my son's 2019 friends, former summer teammates, and others from that 2019 class enter the portal recently.  Many of them P5 guys, draftable guys,  that had PG grades of 10, ranked in PG's top 200, and 4 year athletic scholarship money.

Adbono and others have pointed out why many younger, unproven guys are at risk.  With the new rules there are predictable changes going forward:

1. Coaches are bringing in new guys, older guys, graduate guys, JuCo guys that can play and challenge for positions now.

2. Those additional 5 (27 to 32) scholarship spots will go mostly to secure  transfer guys, not current walk-ons, and not 2020s that don't already have an NLI.

3. When the NCAA likely approves the one-time transfer exception in January 2021, the waters will become even more muddied.  There will be no way for rising HS sophomore or even a rising senior to have any idea  who will be competing against him for playing time his freshman year of baseball -  two or four years later.

4.  This situation will be especially difficult at D1 "baseball schools".  (I don't say P5 because schools like Southern Miss, CS Fullerton, Coastal Carolina, etc. are better than many P5 programs).  If the one-time transfer passes in January 2021(and it most likely will, COVID was the only thing stopping it this Spring), "baseball schools" will go back to scouting the summer leagues for proven college talent just like they did pre-2010.

So young or not, a HS kid that wants to play competitive D1 in the SEC, ACC, etc.  needs to focus on velo.  Theses are the top three things that get you scouted.  Velo off the mound is #1,  Exit Velo off the bat is #2, and Velo in the 60 time is #3.   Those are the things that I would tell your son to work on, because even if he leads his league, region, state in all stats, it won't mean as much as those things.

@atlnon posted:

Sigh... This is another discussion altogether.  While my son has really good grades (and very bright), academics is not his interest (this is saying it mildly).  He said, he is only going to college if he is going to play baseball (and only at a P5 team at that, preferably SEC).  If he doesn't get any baseball offer or is not drafted, he will enlist in the military or go straight to work.  His life goal (as of right now) is to be a cowboy and a cattle rancher, spending as much time as possible fishing and hunting...  I grew up with a high focus/value on academics and work in IT right now.  He thinks I'm a loser being in front of the computer all day.  Like I said, another topic altogether, and probably not for this forum.

Your son is being very narrow sighted. It’s hard to become a D1 prospect. If he’s going to be 5’9”, 5’10” he will have to be extremely fast and extremely strong to be a P5 recruit. If he’s interested in the military he should sign up for ROTC now. 

As for his age in a lot of states he is in the correct grade. As some have noted their sons are also in the same situation. 

You have no control over his height and his age. Focus on what can be impacted like getting bigger (built up), faster, stronger. 

If he gets to senior year and hasn’t been recruited by a P5 the options become going JuCo or a PG year of high school. Or he can realize he loves baseball and choose the best baseball opportunity combined with the best possible education regardless of the level of play. 

Thanks everyone.  I hope I will be able to come back here 3 years from now and share how much my son matured and grew, and how much baseball played a part in that regardless of whether he plays in the next level or not. 

We'll focus on enjoying the simple joys of being outdoor and watching baseball this summer after all the quarantine craziness, see what happens in the PG National showcase, then work towards being prepared next summer (hopefully, with more realistic goals).

I think that is a very good plan.  In the meantime, he can begin to look into rosters and also begin a search of programs he is interested in, within reason.

atlnon, each of our kids' journeys is unique, and thanks for sharing yours with a great amount of candor.  From your posts, I would encourage your kid, who seems to be very smart, to consider doing a career that is more outdoors, yet he can use his brain.  Doing ROTC in College, along with a multitude of degrees (forestry is , may be an option.  I see too many kids going to College who should be steered elsewhere, and fail, but I also think that kids with the mental skills should work towards a degree.  The future is more geared towards those with education.  Just look at how the pandemic has disproportionately hurt those without College degrees (and the big difference in unemployment during them).  However, we are all parents, and we all know that once they become adults, it is up to them.   Good luck (and wish us all good luck).

Atlnon-my son was similar in age/grade as yours.  Second guessing will drive you nuts.  My son is average in ht/wt, was a MI in high school.  Only received 2 offers (minimum) from D1, he accepted one of them.  One thing that is common in many D1 (next level) players is their absolute love for the game.  They will practice forever, work on their weaknesses, weight train, spend time with a nutritionist, etc.  Baseball is their life.  Your son is still relatively young and may not have that drive yet.  You need this drive and desire to make it to the next level and do well.  Many high school players don't realize the time and commitment required at the next level.  It's difficult to teach commitment and desire, you have to be driven by it, you either have it or not.  It isn't about making P5/SEC and if not hang up the game, plenty of opportunities elsewhere at great baseball/academic programs.  Your son should also be learning the game itself, developing a mental edge and understanding how to play it.  I've said many times my son is a good athlete, not great.  His being a student of the game gave him an edge above far better and bigger athletes.  You combine both his talent and mental approach and this is what I believe contributed to his success thus far.  Remind your son if he is fortunate enough to make it to the pros, his being a year younger will be a plus in the long run.  Best of luck.