I'm a 6'3 220 2017 RHP from south Florida. My velo is 85-87 topping 88 and I have no interests from colleges with dining day tomorrow How come? Is it because of my grades? I'm sitting at a 3.3 gpa with 960 sat. I've been told by almost everyone that I can easily play at the D1 level but I have no interest from any. I'm just looking for advice. My plan is to sign in April if I have any options.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You're a big guy and I'm guessing you look the part! I'm not sure who told you, but your velo is not D1 material for a RHP. Your GPA is solid, though I don't know your curriculum. And a 960 SAT is a low score.
So where do you go from here?
You can take the SAT again or the ACT to try and improve your score and admission chances.
You should immediately develop a target schools list of 10-15 colleges. These should fit your baseball abilities (not D1 at this stage) and your academic profile. RHP at 85-87 mph can play at many JuCo, D3, and D2 schools. 960 SAT is tougher as that will definitely minimize the potential destinations, though an increasing number of colleges are test optional (don't require the SAT or ACT).
Follow the steps outlined on this site many times for how to market yourself directly to the admissions staffs and baseball coaches of your target schools. And do it now as all college rosters are filling up for 2017's.
Good luck!
What D1's are you hoping for? 85-87 won't get you many big conference D1's with interest, but at mid-major's here in the midwest you will have a shot...especially with your size and assuming you have decent control. What have you done so far with regard to making sure coaches are seeing you? South Florida is full of guys throwing harder than you, so I would say the first thing you need to do is stretch out your reach with regard to schools if you really want to play D1. Keep in mind, that you're VERY, VERY late in deciding to take action....there aren't a lot of D1 spots left. With regard to the 960....it's going to be an issue at a lot of schools....you won't get any academic money so any school looking at you is digging into baseball funds to get you scholly $'s. I would really consider a JUCO....there are a lot in FL and I'm sure you could find someone willing to take a 6'3 guy throwing 87-88. Work on your grades, promote yourself for a year or two then see what happens. Going directly to a D1 out of HS is probably still an option...but you need to get going TODAY!! Good luck!!
Falcons, you sound like a great candidate for JuCo baseball. If you pitch well, your velocity improves, and your grades are good during your 2 years there, you could earn multiple D1 offers later. Are you open to Junior College? If so, I have included a list of the Florida JuCo baseball schools below.
If any of those schools interest you, call and/or email the coaches and ask if you could throw a bullpen for them, or work out with the team (that may have to wait until spring now). Basically, high school athletes are allowed one workout per JuCo baseball team (some high school rules won't allow it, but the coaches will know those rules). Good luck.
DIVISION I-MID-FLORIDA CONFERENCE
College of Central Florida
Daytona State College
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Santa Fe College
Seminole State College of Florida
St. Johns River State College
Lake-Sumter State College
DIVISION II
ASA College (Miami)
Pasco-Hernando State College
DIVISION I-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Broward College
Eastern Florida State College
Indian River State College
Miami Dade College
Palm Beach State College
DIVISION I-PANHANDLE CONFERENCE
Chipola College
Gulf Coast State College
Northwest Florida State College
Pensacola State College
Tallahassee Community College
DIVISION I-SUNCOAST CONFERENCE
Florida Southwestern
Hillsborough Community College
Polk State College
South Florida State College
St. Petersburg College
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
Your velo -- topping out at 88 -- is sufficient for a RHP at many mid-major D1 schools, though it is unlikely to be sufficient for a Power 5 schools. HSBBW had this thread recently specifically about RHP:
http://community.hsbaseballweb...-at-certain-schools?
Perhaps there are schools listed there that would be a good fit, and have a history of recruiting RHP with your velo?
Also, have you tried taking the ACT? Some kids seem to do better on the ACT than the SAT. Certainly an improved test score would help.
Do you have a verified velo report? Something like a PG profile that would show the 88? That might be useful in reaching out to any mid-majors that are still looking. As others mentioned, time is of the essence here. Good luck!
I will respectfully disagree with 2019DAD even after reviewing the velocity thread and PG info again. 85-87mph for a RHP will be an outlier at the D1 level. It's possible. Anything's possible. It would not have made the staff at my 2012's high academic unless he was a LHP.
If FALCONS88 were my son or player, I would direct him to a JuCo, D2, or D3. That's the most likely destination for a HS Senior RHP 85-87mph right now. It's very late in the 2017 recruiting process. Throw in the 960 SAT and I'd highly recommend the JuCo route as well. Particularly if FALCONS88 is a hard worker in the classroom and on the field. He could have D1 opportunities in a couple years.
As noted by Buckeye, South Florida is loaded with guys 85-87. America is loaded with RHP's throwing 85-87. Velocities are increasing.
Watched my 2016's D3 team this Fall. They are loaded with guys throwing 85-87.
I've been back on the recruiting trail with my older guy looking at D2's and D3's. He's transferring. He throws low-mid 90's. I've seen a lot of D1 baseball. And I'm seeing a ton of D2 and D3 ball. He can be a weekend starter at most places, but not everywhere. There's a lot of baseball talent. Pitchers everywhere are working on velocity enhancement...TX - FL - AZ baseball ranches, Driveline, et.al.
This young man needs a game plan quickly. I recommend he fishes in the right pond asap.
Go JuCo and keep up your grades and do well and then someone will pick you up. Keep working hard.
Like others indicated velo is going up. My son's former D3 had 6 guys in the 90's.
Florida has very good D2 programs. Nova Southeastern won the D2 championship.
However, Florida D2 programs want players who will qualify for academic, and schools range from 30-40k per year and are private. Some have JV programs as well.
From what I am learning your best option would be to find a juco and if things change in spring you are not held to your commitment.
All good advice for you, Falcons88. A JUCO may be the best route.
However, a RHP touching 88 (per the OP) senior fall is not, from all available evidence, too slow for D1 programs in 2016. That doesn't mean every RHP who touches 88 will have D1 offers -- ability to pitch, projectability, grades, there are lots of other factors.
This isn't really a matter of opinion. It's just data.
It's easy to look at college pitchers and forget that their college velocity could be far higher than what their high school velocity was. I suspect that the velocity reported above -- whether at the high academic or the D3 -- while in college is far higher than while they were being recruited.
Touching?
Watching and / or coaching hundreds, probably thousands, of high school pitchers over the years. HS senior RHPs at 85-87 are not consistently getting D1 roster spots in 2017.
It is possible. It is not generally happening IMHO.
Recruiting is very challenging for most players. Focusing on where a player fits best academically and athletically is what I recommend. Again, just my experience and opinion.
Branson Baseball posted:Touching?
Watching and / or coaching hundreds, probably thousands, of high school pitchers over the years. HS senior RHPs at 85-87 are not consistently getting D1 roster spots in 2017.
It is possible. It is not generally happening IMHO.
Recruiting is very challenging for most players. Focusing on where a player fits best academically and athletically is what I recommend. Again, just my experience and opinion.
Not disagreeing with your advice, Branson. Not at all.
I just think we all have a tendency to exaggerate velocities, and the verifiable data -- like, PG velos -- tells a different story.
Sent you a PM.
Falcon88,
Can you tell us a little bit about your exposure strategy...how did you get in front of coaches for the last couple years? Do you play travel baseball? American Legion? What showcases or camps have you been to? Who is helping you with determining appropriate level schools for your baseball and academic talent? Have you been in any communication with any college coaches in FL or elsewhere? Do you have any thoughts about majors in college?
Lots of incredible baseball talent in Florida is going to make things more difficult for you. Extending your geography and search beyond Florida may not be a bad idea either.
Recruited = passion + talent + persistence + exposure + luck
Good luck!
Falcon, Im with Fenway on this one, what have you done to market yourself to colleges? With your velocity you are sitting in a very large pool of players. You need to get yourself in front of the coaches. You should be emailing and calling coaches as well as getting yourself to showcases and camps (of colleges that show some interest. It sounds like you are a little late to the recruiting game. Most of the major schools have filled their 2017 slots. The D2s and D3s are still recruiting along with a few of the lower level D1s. My son (2017) just received a call from a D1 yesterday saying they are still looking to fill a few spots. Not a major baseball school, but a smaller player in a a decent conference.
Falcons88 posted:I'm a 6'3 220 2017 RHP from south Florida. My velo is 85-87 topping 88 and I have no interests from colleges with dining day tomorrow How come? Is it because of my grades? I'm sitting at a 3.3 gpa with 960 sat. I've been told by almost everyone that I can easily play at the D1 level but I have no interest from any. I'm just looking for advice. My plan is to sign in April if I have any options.
How long have you been that size? How long have you been throwing that speed? Are you perhaps a late bloomer? What do you see as your baseball future? Are you looking for baseball to help you get into a college, do you think your velo will progress over the next few years and be draftable? Or are you thinking baseball and you will be done by the time college is over?
There are MANY people on this site with a great amount of knowledge but they need specifics. For example if you had a major growth spurt last year and have only been throwing in the mid 80's since this past summer then your projection in 2-3 years could be vastly different than what you have going on now and they can advise you on that path. However, if you have been this size since your freshman year and have slowly crept up with a mile or two a year since then then you are looking at a different story and again the people on this site can assist you in plotting a path that gets you the most out of your baseball ability.
How many colleges have you contacted?
How many coaches have you reached-out to?
How many coaches have you forwarded your recruiting video to?
YOU will have to do some legwork in this deal...
Good luck!
CaCO3Girl posted:Falcons88 posted:I'm a 6'3 220 2017 RHP from south Florida. My velo is 85-87 topping 88 and I have no interests from colleges with dining day tomorrow How come? Is it because of my grades? I'm sitting at a 3.3 gpa with 960 sat. I've been told by almost everyone that I can easily play at the D1 level but I have no interest from any. I'm just looking for advice. My plan is to sign in April if I have any options.
How long have you been that size? How long have you been throwing that speed? Are you perhaps a late bloomer? What do you see as your baseball future? Are you looking for baseball to help you get into a college, do you think your velo will progress over the next few years and be draftable? Or are you thinking baseball and you will be done by the time college is over?
There are MANY people on this site with a great amount of knowledge but they need specifics. For example if you had a major growth spurt last year and have only been throwing in the mid 80's since this past summer then your projection in 2-3 years could be vastly different than what you have going on now and they can advise you on that path. However, if you have been this size since your freshman year and have slowly crept up with a mile or two a year since then then you are looking at a different story and again the people on this site can assist you in plotting a path that gets you the most out of your baseball ability.
I used to be about 5'10 150 freshmen year than progressed to my size now. This summer I was sitting 83-85 touching 86 and now the fall in at the velo I'm at now. I want to play in college than hopefully progress to the majors one day. I strongly believe my velo will increasingly get better. Last year going into my junior year I was throwing about 78-82 touching 83.
fenwaysouth posted:Falcon88,
Can you tell us a little bit about your exposure strategy...how did you get in front of coaches for the last couple years? Do you play travel baseball? American Legion? What showcases or camps have you been to? Who is helping you with determining appropriate level schools for your baseball and academic talent? Have you been in any communication with any college coaches in FL or elsewhere? Do you have any thoughts about majors in college?
Lots of incredible baseball talent in Florida is going to make things more difficult for you. Extending your geography and search beyond Florida may not be a bad idea either.
Recruited = passion + talent + persistence + exposure + luck
Good luck!
I've been doing recruiting videos every summer since sophmore year when I decided I wanted to go into 100% into baseball. The last couple years I've been playing almost all PG tournaments and all the big ones. Just recently I played in the Jupiter WWBA. I've been to multiple camps ranging all over Florida and even one up in the north east. I had multiple high academic interests until I got my test achieved back which i completely understand.
To all - I think this is a very good example of how velo is a primary conversation starter but once you are in the conversation, the other stuff becomes important. We know Falcon's size, velo, GPA and test score and that he has played in enough of the big events to get exposure. But that's it. We don't know movement, ability to locate, pitching smarts, demeanor, physical and emotional maturity, etc., etc.
Falcon, we had two P's come out of our program recently with very similar velo numbers to yours...
Player A - played in enough high profile events that most expected he would get some D1 offers but probably not from power schools/ conferences. Good size and young, room to add to his frame and, so, he projected to add some velo, although was a a high-effort thrower so perhaps with some limits to projected gains. HOWEVER, his FB was pretty straight and when he didn't have command of his secondary stuff (which was just a bit too often), he had propensity to get hit pretty hard. He ended up with no decent D1 offers, went the JC route, got velo up to 90, struggled a bit year one but had a really good year two - all-conference. After JC, again, he was expected to get a better look from D1's, many were baffled that he didn't, FB was still too straight, went D3 and had a very nice but not spectacular two years, a winning starter with a winning D3 program. I think he ended up sitting low 90's. He got a few questionnaires from pro ball but didn't get drafted. Overall, a very nice college career.
Player B - sat the same 85-86 finishing HS, but with good movement, good secondary stuff and very effortless. He clearly had more in the tank and also a good frame. He had no strong college playing aspirations until very late. Stars aligned and he was given an opportunity at a ranked D1. He sat year 1, matured physically, arm got stronger. Year 2, velo up to 93ish, got some meaningful relief innings and did well, may get a look as a starter this coming year. So, already, a successful college career.
My point to you is that there are different paths to a good place. And, you have a decent base with your size and velo but there is much beyond that. We haven't seen you pitch so we can't say what those other things are for you. It sounds like you will definitely have options on some level. Once you choose one, get after it and make a name for yourself.
Side note - I'm not sure why your test score may be low in relation to your GPA. But, be aware, many of the smaller schools have far more attentive academic instruction and this can be a big difference-maker in academic success.
The numbers you list from the past summer velo wise during prime recruiting season (at least for the norteast) seem like solid D3 numbers - esp with what you are throwing now. It seems like you should be able to find a spot at a D3 school if you decided not to look at the Juco route (as others described in replies above).
I know your test scores may be a little low but there are many schools that are SAT/ACT optional now and the list is growing. Lots of them have solid baseball programs. Have you looked at that list and sent your videos/inquiries to those coaches? That's where I would start right now.
What about a post grad year? Improve the ACT, increase your strength, and fine tune your pitching... Use it as a positioning year.
A family friend's kid did this: went to post grad on East Coast to improve ACT and gain strength. Ended up at William & Mary, finished a successful college playing career and eventually drafted. Smart kid with great experience and network yielded from William & Mary alums.... incredible job offers.
Just a thought, don't worry about the year. When you reach 40, half the people you work with are 35 and 45...
Take a year and re-position yourself.
FALCON88,
How well have you thrown in those PG tournaments? Does your profile show 85-87, peak of 88? Does it have your current correct size?
We have seen many pitchers with those numbers get recruited by DI colleges. Not so much the power schools, but still DI. Problem is, most DI programs don't spend a lot on pitchers throwing 85-87. So cost could be a big hurdle.
Not knowing who you are, I can't make any recommendations. However, there is a good chance I have seen you pitch. Truth is there are very good 85-87 pitchers. There are very projectable 85-87 pitchers. And there are some 85-87 pitchers that simply won't create any interest from D1 colleges. Sometimes TrackMan numbers can be a big separator. After all, there are a very large number of pitchers in your range.
Keep in mind, that there will be DI colleges looking for pitching right to the very end. We often get calls late in the process from coaches wondering if we know of any pitching still available.
Without knowing more, it is possible the Junior College route might be a good one for you. Maybe even more important is to understand the big differences among Juco programs. From top Juco programs to low level Juco programs can be as different as top DI to low DIII 4 year schools. Make sure, if you go that route, it is a good fit. One that will give you every opportunity to realize your full potential.
Never give up, if you want, contact me so I know who you are.
Best of luck to you
FALCON88...not everybody gets that direct advice and offer from PGSTAFF...awesome...take advantage.
Falcon88, I had a couple sons that were in your shoes when they were your age. IF your goal is to play D1 baseball your only choice in my opinion is to go Juco.... I agree that 86-88 at your age is too slow for top D1 , not for mid to low D1. Most of the D1 guys I see throwing this velo are specialty guys , side arm submarine, ...... Contact the Juco's listed above... with your time frame, grades, money etc.... Juco is your very best route. My 2013 was 85-86 out of HS went to a Juco, actually two Juco's ... he now plays D1 , getting a good degree and tops at 90-91. So it can be done if you want it.
On a side note to velo, velo is a great indicator, velo gets you noticed, but as you climb the ladder everyone has velo... and it becomes less important. Ask Hendricks from the Cubs.... the minors are full of hard throwing pitching that cannot get anyone out... Hendricks throwing 87-91 and dealing.....
Not to be negative and I know kids are busy, but Falcon88 has only responded once since OP. If this is really a priority, Falcon88 has to be much more active in the process. There has been some great ideas/suggestions/advice given here with little to no response. As Bolts-Coach asked, what have YOU done... PGStaff offer to contact alone is invaluable. I wish you luck in your search and hope that all the great comments above help you find a school.
By all means....take PG STAFF up on his offer. Contact him if you havent already.
