Watching Someone Else Get Recruited

A Legion teammate was the opposing pitcher in a district playoff game versus a pitcher being scouted. He never pitched until the middle of his senior year. He had been a catcher. He outpitched the prospect. He threw harder than the prospect. He was drafted higher than the prospect. He went further in the minors than the prospect. As a catcher he wasn't getting any looks beyond D3.

RJM, my son was a good pitcher, convinced him to catch even though he liked pitching better. It just seemed to everyone he was built more like a catcher and was better at it. Hearing about all the buzz on pitchers, it may have been a mistake.

My son had a summer teammate who was a highly-talented RHP and drew lots and lots of scouts to games, which was good for the team. While everyone else was fretting about whether they'd get calls on July 1 -- no one did, btw -- this kid was getting calls in June. (Westpoint wanted him and service academies are allowed to call before 7/1.)

In July the team was playing in a high-profile tourney with numerous scouts in the stands, including the recruiting coordinator from the school my son wanted to play for. Imagine our dismay when the RC started making a pitch for his school not to us, but the pitcher's dad! The recruiting coordinator announced, "I'm putting together an offer, so you'll be hearing from me soon."

Thankfully, my son did finally get an offer from his school of choice, but the process didn't begin until September. Meanwhile, the pitcher -- who received offers from a number of schools -- ended up committing to Baylor, where he's expected to a be a mid-week starter as a freshman this year.

First game junior year son's team is playing against a national powerhouse which has 2 pitchers who get drafted. It is snowing and son is not supposed to pitch. I am stuck at work but get a call about the switch, son is starting. He is supposed to go three innings and then bullpen by committee. I am told 35 scouts all with their own guns are ringing the diamond. Son, 6'2" lefty weighs about 160 and is throwing against a lineup with 3 kids who are headed to the ACC.

By the time I get there son is out, has acquitted himself nicely, (3 runs in 5 innings) and the stud from other team is out. No scouts left, but I saw the picture of the 35 radar guns pointed in the snow squall.

As an aside, the prospect who was not pitching this day pitched an inning later in the year. The guns were there, but I really enjoyed watching him pitch. The ball seemed to jump out of his hand, while he seemingly expended no effort. He is rising quickly in the Tigers organization.

Its an interesting topic that I'll enjoy reading.

But I'd never been to a wedding (that I could remember) until my own...and I never got to see a recruitment until my son's. Winged 'em both.

A couple of years ago, when my son was in 8th grade, I made arrangements for him to sit on the bench at a local high school game. They were playing a team which had a highly recruited pitcher and word had it he was scheduled for a couple innings. We got there early so he could watch warm-ups, infield, etc. I was just watching infield, turned around, and saw at least 30 coaches and scouts with radar behind the backstop.
Boxscore: 3 innings, no hits, no walks, 9 strikeouts, 1 foul tip (haha).
My son came out of the dugout shaking his head, I'm sure he was wondering what he got himself into!
Pitcher was taken in the top 10 the following month, and is doing quite well I believe.

Son's first game his senior year was out of town...about an hour drive. The opposing starting pitcher had lots of scouts showing up to watch. This group of scouts seemed to travel as a pack, they had all been to Missouri to watch Aaron Crow (the opposing HS pitcher was his little brother), were stopping to watch Crow Junior, and were headed down to Wichita State to watch Kris Johnson (I believe). There were 19 radar guns crammed behind home plate.
During the game, my husband and I were approached by several scouts and handed questionnaires. One commented that he had no idea how good my son was. What a thrilling time!
The next game son pitched was our home opener and also happened to be the Royals home opener. Only one scout showed up for a few innings, then told us he was leaving to go to the Royals game. Son pitched our school's first and only complete game no-hitter that day! It was very cold, no scouts there at the end, and the press box didn't even run the whole score board, only the runs were posted. Our relief pitcher's parents were expecting to see their son pitch (had taken off work) and made a catty comment to us that it wasn't necessary to keep son in the game so long with other pitchers waiting their turn! Except for the players and our family, no one knew what he had done. It was still thrilling and almost every game after that had scouts!
When our coach was interviewed about all the attention, he commented how great it was for the other players. It opened the doors for others who might not have been seen. Even the parent who made the catty comment...their son ended up signing to play D1. You never know who will benefit from the attention. We benefitted from the attention on Crow Junior, with our team benefitting from son's subsequent attention.

Nothing quite like watching your kid throw a nono while you get heckled by parents, and wearing winter clothes. Sounds like it was a good team though.

KCB,

You put your finger on something that many parents miss.

When people ask me what they should look for in a high-school age travel team, I say, pick the best team where you will play regularly.

Too many look for a team where junior will be the lynchpin of the lineup and/or rotation. That is common to dad-coached teams in particular.

The best situation is to be on a team where someone, or several someones, are attracting the flies. Then, as long as you are also on the field, they see you in the bargain. Voila, you are "discovered".

Too many people let petty jealousies keep them from making the right decisions on team selection.

The best thing that ever happened to my son was being on the same team with a pitcher who ended up getting 7 figures from the Royals last summer. He drew the crowds, but a lot stayed to notice the other players, too. Not just my son -- that team's whole lineup ended up D-1, except for the one who signed.

This is a great topic.

I was lucky. My son played four years of varsity baseball. In each of his first three years on the HS team there was at least one player who was receiving attention from D1 or pro scouts. I learned so much from their experience that it helped us tread the recruiting path my son followed.

Lesson: Don't be shy among the parents of the boys being recruited. Share in their excitement, ask questions, and learn about their experience in the recruiting. It will only benefit you & your son. For example, one piece of advice I was received directed me to this website in 2001.

dbg_fan,

You made a good point:

"Lesson: Don't be shy among the parents of the boys being recruited."

Not only will you learn from visiting with the other parents, but they actually may truly appreciate you asking! This is a different sport, but when my son was younger he played travel hockey with a young man who was a standout from about age 10 and is now making quite a splash in the NHL (MVP of this year's NHL All-Star weekend Youngstars game.) Quite a few years ago, I said to the young man's mom, "Everyone probably thinks you get tired of hearing this, but Wow, it's exciting watching Blake skate! He has a very bright future in hockey." She said that actually parents of teammates very seldom said those things to her and she really appreciated the kind words.

Julie

dbg fan is right... The first thing I tell parents who have a talented kid is whether they know about this site...

Saw Dontrelle Willis and Jimmy Rollins get scouted and signed with the pros out of high school. I went to many of the games, which had many scouts, and a very excited family and Mom constantly cheering and circulating. Dontrelle's Mom is really a great spirit. Jimmy's brother also signed with the pros, and his sister is an all-star basketball player. They had God-given talent, but also worked very hard to develop it. Dontrelle and Jimmy were guided by many good baseball people in Alameda, and with NorCal baseball. The fact was the whole school was excited for both of them, as were the other players, because they made everyone around them better - the mark of truly great players. I hate to hear the stories about jealousy, but I recognize that it happens. It is great advice to always try to learn from the experienced parents.

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
RJM, my son was a good pitcher, convinced him to catch even though he liked pitching better. It just seemed to everyone he was built more like a catcher and was better at it. Hearing about all the buzz on pitchers, it may have been a mistake.

My son (now a soph) has always been considered a position player who can also pitch. He's been a reliever since he hit the 60/90 field. He's getting bigger and stronger. His velocity is increasing. He commented the other day half of college rosters are pitchers. When I asked him whether he would rather be a pitcher or position player he responded. "Whatever gets me there."

quote:

Don't be shy among the parents of the boys being recruited. Share in their excitement, ask questions, and learn about their experience in the recruiting.

Yep. When people ask where I got the knowledge I tell them three things; 1) this site, 2) asking questions (and listening) of people going through the process, and 3) been through it with softball. I wish I knew of a site like this when going through the softball process.

Half of college rosters are pitchers.

But probably 2/3 of the scholarship money goes to pitchers.

On the other hand, of offensive players, catchers are usually at the top of the list. Most teams like to recruit one per class.

quote:

Originally posted by Double Eagle:

As an aside, the prospect who was not pitching this day pitched an inning later in the year. The guns were there, but I really enjoyed watching him pitch. The ball seemed to jump out of his hand, while he seemingly expended no effort. He is rising quickly in the Tigers organization.

Porcello?

zombywoof - yes.

He's got the stuff to be an ace on the Tigers staff. My guess is he can crack the rotation by 2010 or 2011.