What to do.

Welcome, misu23!

I am very interested in responses to this question. Just watching 2B's journey so far, it seems that pitchers and position players have pretty well separated themselves out by this time. (2B is also a 2011). You don't really see very many 2-way players, if any, at the D1 level. But this young man may be the exception.

misu23, the best advice I can offer is to get him to the PG underclassmen showcase (www.perfectgame.org) in December if you can. They you will know without a doubt how he compares to other pitchers and position players in his class who are also competing for a spot on a D1 roster.

The opinion/advice I have is that there are more D1 scholarships handed out to pitchers than any other single position group (infielders, outfielders, catcher.). A school may add 2 infielders a year but will always add at least 4 pitchers. Most D1 rosters have at least 16 pitchers. Also, for example, there are places for 300 D1 starting shortstops, versus places for 1500+ D1 starting pitchers.

Given that, if your son can throw 87 now and do it with effect, I am sure there will be some interest in him as a pitcher.

Here is my 2-cents (that is all it may be worth)!

My son was in a similar position when he completed his freshman year in HS. As a pitcher he went 10-0, yet when he did not pitch he played in the field. He was invited to tryout for the varsity his sophomore year and was told by the coach that they wanted him to focus on his hitting. That was the last time he pitched in HS.

My son is almost through with his college baseball experience. I can tell you there is far more opportunity for pitchers than position players. You may not see it at first but over time; whether it is his college team or with a collegiate summer team, there is always a need for good pitchers.

Ultimatly he may not be the one that makes the decision. Listen to coaches and anyone that will evaluate your son along his journey. You will learn in time; however for now let him enjoy the game and get better whatever position he plays.

Will it matter if he goes to session 1 in Mesa Az for the PG underclassmen showcase?

He is worried that he will not be noticed with his pitching alone. We live in Minnesota and there is not much of an opportunity to show off what his talents are weather wise. He pitched for the varsity team this year which was his sophmore year and the weather was terriable. His era was 3.9 but most of the hits and runs he gave up where either in rain storms or when the temp was really cold. His summer team was not very good and the coaching was sub par and he was not able to show off much there either. I guess I'm just worried that he won't be noticed.

1. What does he want to do? Does he project?

2 Personally I would see if you can get on a team for the Arizona Fall Jr Classic later this month over the PG event.

3. He should not make this a random event. He should have an idea on where he wants to go and be sending information to those schools.

4. The schools will be busy during HS season and won't get back at recruiting until June so plan out his summer/fall next year very carefully.

Good luck!

misu23,

Welcome to the HS Baseball Web, and Hello from a fellow Minnesotan!

My son was also a pitcher, and I will tell you that your son pitching at 87 mph as a 2011 is not all that common here in the cold northwoods. I would definitely recommend that he attend the Perfect Game event you mentioned, AND that he makes sure he is in "game condition" for it. You probably know that Perfect Game is nearly our neighbor (in Iowa), and they will help your son NOT to go "un-noticed" as you mentioned, if he does pitch in the 87 mph range at their events.

Also, I wondered if your son is known to the U of Minnesota pitching coach yet? Feel free to send me a Private Message about that if you prefer.

Julie

Thanks everyone for your feed back. I put in a request for the PG event in Mesa Az in November and we will see what happens. We will have a month to get into (Game Shape) and hopefully thats enough time. It's going to be hard throwing and doing some of the baseball things but we will make due with the weather the best we can.

We have been working out for the last 3 months on Athletic things and working hard on his legs getting them strong. We also have been working hard on Poly to help with his Athleticism.

Another option to consider is the Perfect Game Pitcher/Catcher Indoor Showcase in Cedar Rapids that is usually held in early February. The timing of the event may not be the best for a pitcher to be in top form, but more convenient for you location-wise.