What level could I play college ball?

How are you going to find the right college baseball program? They're not going to come looking for you.

or JuCo.  I am not a pitching coach so I can't comment on your pitching technique, but at your current velocity (high 70's) not many D1's (if any) will come calling.  Maybe a D2 or NAIA or JuCo.  Rule of thumb use to be mid-80's or better to even get on their radar.

RJM is right - no college is going to come looking for you.  You have to develop a list of schools and market yourself.  Do that by going to showcases.  College coaches and pro scouts generally don't go to HS games.  There are exceptions, but usually because someone has already contacted them about a certain player.

Thank you for asking advice on this board.  It takes a lot of courage and a thick skin to ask for feedback.

At 145 lbs. and 78-79 mph there's probably no "athletic" fit right now.  You need to get bigger and stronger.  30 lbs. of lean muscle would do wonders for your velocity in my experience.  Get to work now on building that lean muscle mass and weight gain.

You don't mention academics.  "Where can I play" needs to consider your standardized test scores + GPA and your baseball abilities.  The better your test scores and grades, the more options you will have.  The better your velocity and pitching abilities, the more options you will have.  

It's not too late.  But it's getting close to being late.  Time to get to work if this is something you want to do.  Good luck!

Welcome to the site.  Let's expand on what Branson is saying...  Without baseball, what are your college and career aspirations?  What kind of grades do you have and what is the likelihood that you will be able to attend a private college from a cost standpoint?  Do you have a major in mind? 

That's a tough one to answer without knowing things like grades, level of competition faced, etc.  The best way to determine what level of college baseball you could play is to get an honest evaluation from a reputable third party.  You could attend a showcase and get a written evaluation, ask your HS coach what he thinks, attend a small college camp and ask the college coach for his opinion afterwards, and ask your summer coach as well.  Many are willing to help if you ask.  Quite frankly, the answers you get here may not really help nearly as much as the answer you will get from someone that has seen you play and knows you well.  Best of luck and keep working hard.

Recruited = passion + skill + exposure + persistence + luck.

Looking at this as objectively as possible, you have a lot of unknowns.  I would focus on getting an evaluation of where your skills are and where you need to be to get recruited into a situation that meets your goals.  Exposure is a huge part of this also.  Do you have a plan to get in front of college through camps, tournaments or showcases this summer?   Read as much as you can on this site to help you get those answers and then try to find that situation that fits your goals.  There is no easy answer for any of this.  It is alot of hard work just to get recruited and offered.   The folks on this site can help.

Good luck!

As others have said, you probably need to get a 3rd party evaluation.  There are way too many factors that go into the decision a coach makes on which players he recruits.  One thing you did not mention was your grades.  That is going to be the first question a coach will ask you.  

Here is my sons frosh write up from a showcase last year...

6-foot-3, 160-pound two-way player, long lanky frame, body projects. Left handed hitter, slight open stance, arm bar load. Pull side approach, path works around the baseball, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 78 mph across the diamond. 7.39 runner in the 60. On the mound arm played from a long over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 78-79 mph, touched 81 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 action, gradual bend, 68-70 mph. Changeup has arm side action, 67-69 mph. 

Based on that and a couple of other showcases he is drawing some interest from mid-D1 schools.  Nothing to draw an offer yet but a few coaches have given him their phone numbers.  He is on their radar and they want to see how he progresses.  

Now that we are just about through the Soph HS season he has improved his measurables.  He is probably sitting 80-81 touching 84 or so.  He now has a nasty breaking ball.  Kids bailing out of the batters box or hitting the ground on a strike.  He is visually quicker and his exit velocity has increased.  

Talking to folks that have been through this before and know the recruiting game the words they use with him is "he is projectable and has a chance".  He is now 6'4" about 180.  Everyone feels like he needs to work some on his physicality and beef up.  They also want to see him get his fastball where its sitting mid-80s and touching upper 80s at a minimum.  As he has been a three sport athlete up until this point and has not had an off-season in 5 years its been difficult for him bulk up and work on his velocity.  This upcoming year he is going to only play baseball so hopefully he can get those things worked out in the off season.

Based on the fact that your at the end of your Jr HS season I would say your measurables are a little behind his.  Using that as a barometer, I would target DII, DIII or NAIA but you probably need to find a school that is in a little less competitive league as I have seen some pretty competitive schools at that level who have kids who could play DI.  

This summer is the most important summer in your recruiting process.  Are you playing ball for a travel team or showcase team?  If not you need to be.  Thats where all the college recruiting is done.  You need to understand how the process works and find a team that fits for you.  In general you should not be looking for a team that is built to win every game but you should be looking for a team that is built to get its kids in front of as many college recruiters as possible.  Many of these teams will sacrifice wins to get the kids that need exposure into the game.  What I mean by that is they may pull a hot pitcher to put in another pitcher if they can get the 2nd pitcher some exposure while not sacrificing the first pitchers ability to get exposure.  Same thing for position players.

One thing to consider when targeting schools for baseball is you still need to get into the school.  Unless your one of the top studs in the recruiting class the odds of the coaches getting you into the school if you are below their admission standards are slim. 

Do you have a recruiting plan?  I know you mentioned emailing coaches which is a start.  If you look at the front page of this website there is a lot of information on putting together a recruiting plan.  I would take a look at that.  

I would then put together a list of schools you are interested in based on your academics.  Cross reference that against the schools baseball program.  If it looks like you have the grades to get in and the skill set to play on the team then figure out a way to get your information to the coach and a way to get in front of the coach so they can see you play.  I'm not sure I would pay to go to one of their camps as normally those are setup to make money for the school.  I would look for local showcases where they maybe in attendance.  Check out Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report.  Both run decent showcases.  Depending on what part of the country you are in there maybe other organizations or colleges hosting quality showcases.

If you're finishing up your junior year and haven't contacted schools yet, you are WAY behind where you should be.  This summer is THE summer for you as far as recruiting....most schools will have their 2016's committed by this coming August.  You need to start contacting schools TODAY!!!   You also need to make every effort to get in front of coaches this summer....either on a travel team...or at well-scouted showcases. 

2020dad - your comments above regarding Juco's are spot on.  I see many threads and replies regarding college recruiting that need to keep this in mind.

I've mentioned this before but a senior on my son's Varsity team last year is now going to a NAIA college in Arkansas and starting as a pitcher.  He topped out at 76 mph but had good movement and location.  

I echo the sentiment that there is a college for every Varsity starter.  

You definitely found the right place to ask, 1626 -- and kudos to you for having the you-know-whats to lay it out there.

A few questions:

- are you on a summer team that will put you in front of scouts this year?

- do you have someone  in Colorado who's objectively good to work with?

- what's your dream -- meaning, how important is baseball to you?

Physically, you have some projectability. This is good. But your velo is at least 10 mph low to be looked at by any decent baseball program (which may be fine if all you want is SOMETHING - but don't expect $$.)

You know, I'm sure, what the better players your age bring. If you don't -- spend some time on Perfect Game website and study your peers.

It's late. I know, because my son is a junior, too. If you really want to keep playing, you need to:

- get assessed

- get on a summer team where scouts will see you

- get at least to the 80's on velo (with the right coach you may be able to)

- get going NOW!

(hope you'll answer my questions

Regarding low end JuCos. I don't believe the JuCo in our town could beat the high school team. They lose a lot of JuCo games by 10+ runs. But do you want to play in this environment.

You need someone to give you an honest assessment of your ability. Pick the conferences that suit your ability. Then pick the colleges within those conferences that are a good fit not just for baseball. You have to consider academics, social life and cultural environment. By cultural environment a city/suburban kid might not feel comfortable on a rural campus and vice versa.

Your list should have up to fifty colleges. The list will get shorter. At some point you will cross some off your list. Some of the schools will cross you off the list. Email all the coaches on your list. Explain your interest in the college and the baseball program. Ask what is the best way for the opportunity to showcase your talents for the program. It will be through showcases and camps. Then create a business plan on how you will get in front of these colleges. It might be via the right travel team. It might be by attending individual showcases and camps. Get a feel for the cost of your plan. Showcasing isn't cheap. Good luck.

You have gotten good advice, but no one really knows unless you are evaluated by a person who is qualified.  You cant give yourself an evaluation.

With a 2.7 gpa and no sat/act scores to report, your best option is juco.

But keep in mind you do have to be seen. Recruiting is a huge undertaking. It just doesnt happen. Sit down with your folks and make a plan, they can help you better than we can.

Best of luck.

If an uncle and a coach are "former mlb", (not sure what that means exactly),  and you work with a ML pitching coach why are you asking us?  Ask them for a true and honest evaluation.
JMO

1626 ... To be honest it doesn't make sense your uncle can't tell you how good you are. By the time my son was a junior in high school I hadn't played D1 college ball for 34 years. But I knew where he potentially fit in. I knew where he fit in the game relative to his peers. He had also been told by a hitting and pitching instructor where he potentually fit in the game. and by his high school and travel coach. I knew very few kids who didn't have an understanding for their potential by junior year. Even then some were late bloomers and better than they believed. If your pitching coach hasn't told you by now where you fit in the game maybe he's telling you something by saying nothing. 

Now, being rude to a an adult who was originally trying to help does not display much maturity. What he's suspicious of occurs on this board. Occasionally some real wingnuts show up for a day or two. If you want some help your next move should be to eat some crow and apologize. It would display a level of maturity you failed to show.

OK, so getting back on track... I think one of the only questions you haven't answered is what is your career path, if you have one yet? 

Others are correct is stating that there is only so much "what level" advice we can provide since we haven't actually seen you play.  Yes, the numbers do provide a good piece of the puzzle but not the whole picture by any means.  However, if we know what kind of grades (which you've answered), what kind of school, what career/major you may be interested in, what exposure you will be getting (answered, sort of), etc., we can at least perhaps steer you where to look and what to do for next steps in determining the possibilities.

I will back you up on what you said about your uncle.  I have found that many older ex-players who reached high levels of play but have been away from the game for a long time are not in touch or surprised to find that the competitive levels between HS and MLB have changed quite a bit in the last few decades, as has the recruiting scene. The two guys I coach HS with were both D1 players but had no idea what today's typical recruiting routines are until they got involved in the HS coaching scene and/or their sons started going thru the process.  But I also agree with TPM and others that if you also have an ex-MLB HS coach and MLB pitching coach you should be able to get some pretty good feedback from them as to where you may fit.  Those guys are still connected and should be able to provide valuable feedback.  While the pitching coach may be unavailable at the current time, what about the HS coach?

The 2.7 GPA will close some college doors.  Others will remain open but the amount of academic money available will be limited.  And, keep in mind that academic money can account for a significant piece of any baseball player's financial assistance since the average baseball scholarship is probably about 30%, if any.  There is no athletic scholarship $ at the D3 level.  So, for example, unless your family has set aside a sizeable nest egg for your college, there will likely be a sizeable tuition/room/board bill with any college you choose.  These are just a few of the realities that are part of the equation.  Finding a school that has your desired major and also is a fit for baseball is another potential challenge.      

Been away for a few days but just got caught up on this thread. 1626- I commend you for finding this site and asking for help with questions on a subject that requires an answer from experienced folks. Many that have been there and probably spent hours, days, months, years researching and seeking the best information.  So you got a little out of line and hit the reply button before thinking it through. We've all probably done that sometime. Learn from it.  Consider it a life lessons and move on. Sounds like you have. Members like 2020, Cabbage, Joes, RJM, etc are really trying to help you. Good luck. 

1626, right now the key to getting recruited is being seen by the right folks.  Normally, the key to this would be your summer ball team.  If its a team put together by a parent to just play ball and they have no plan for getting you in front of college coaches then they are not going to help.  You may want to ask the coaches what their plans are for this summer and what they feel they are doing to get the team exposure.  

You really should be on a team that has a history of playing in exposure events and getting their kids seen by the right folks.  I'm not sure what part of the country you are in, but if you let us know some folks on here maybe able to make some recommendations.  Unfortunately, most of the teams are set for the season and your odds of finding one that will take you are low.  There is still a small chance that you can be seen during/after your Sr season but that is very rare.

If you can't find a team then you are going to need to do a lot of this on your own.  I would suggest the following:

-Start emailing the recruiting coordinators of the schools you are targeting.  There was a thread on here a month or so back discussing how to word your email.  I will see if I can find it and post a link.  You are going to receive back invitations to the schools camps.  Most of these are just attempts by the schools to get money from you.  Some maybe legit.  Its hard to figure this out.  Read posts about this on this board.  At this point if there is a school you feel that meets your academic goals and that you can play on your team, it maybe worth going to their camp.  Normally I wouldn't suggest this but your later in the recruiting game.

-If you have a school that contacts you back and is genuinely interested you are going to need to find a way to get in front of them.  As you are at the point a college coach can talk with you then they will probably discuss a way for this to happen with you.

-Look for quality showcases in your area.  These are not games but places where you go to show you skills.  Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report are two good organizations. There are others, some are good, some are bad.  All are designed to make money for those running it.  Make sure the showcases you attend are legit.  If you need help just ask on here.

-After making contact with the college coaches, either through email, or in person, make sure you keep them appraised of where you are playing or showcasing.  If they are in the area they may stop by to see you.

In the end if you don't make it to the college level its not the end of the world.  You can still go to school and have a career.  There will be opportunities to play baseball.  You maybe able to play an intramural league in school or on a mens league.  The important thing is you make an effort now to realize your dreams.

Here is a link in which I put a sample of the email we use...

http://community.hsbaseballweb...05#23960819195045005

Another caution... many small D3's carry large rosters, some with JV squads.  With no athletic $$ available, they often encourage players like yourself to join their program, partially in an effort to boost school attendance and tuition dollars.  After joining in the fall, many find themselves cut or relegated to JV.  Once on JV, typically very few ever smell the V roster.  If college JV ball satisfies your need/love of the game, it can be a viable option but go in with eyes wide open.  College club ball is another potential avenue that you may want to familiarize yourself with.  

Best of luck and keep the questions coming.

Consider the possibility of playing club ball. It's the enjoyment of the game and playing other college club teams without the training, practice and travel commitments of a collegiate program.

It is education first.I am so glad we pushed that even though our son went to a Jr and played some minor league ball. His degree is from a good school and he would tell you now that get a good degree that will provide for you because baseball probably  wont.

Work hard on your GPA and work on adding weight and strength and a lot could happen in a year,two or three.

2.7 unless as TPM said your throwing 90 won't get you many looks.

Also junior college colleges aren't the worse thing in the world.You can get stronger and improve your school stuff.

Look you go to a Jr and play / or not in two years if you do well you can go to a good school. Here in CA it's very hard to get into a four year school with a 2.7 out of hs.

Work hard in all aspects. Baseball becomes more clear the longer you play.