Skip to main content

I have been reading through the posts. Do you have a 'best' way to go through the steps to get noticed by the MLB scouts after they have started college? With our son, he's chosen a DIII because they wanted him for football and baseball and it was the right college fit. I've been told that there have been a few drafts from this level and want to know who to get him noticed.

We've gone to a showcase or two and felt it was just 200 guys looking for the same exposure and if you weren't on the list of some scout, then they really didn't pay much attention to you. Are there specific showcases for those who are heading off to college but now want professional notice? Does going to a MLB tryout help? Does trying to send info to the area MLB scout look ok? (And do you just send it in care of the team office?)

I've got to say that we are not in or near a major city, we made years of travel commitment to bring him down to participate in the Twins sponsored baseball clinics and play fall ball in Mpls/St. Paul. He's played summer league up here and this year, if I'm reading the posts right he should be on the more advanced leagues? Although this year he was going to actually try to work part time.

As with some of the other posts, he did not get a lot of help from the local coaching staff, references, pointers, etc. Not sure if they don't want to play favorites or they don't know anything.

Thanks for any help.

 

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

It sounds like he needs to focus on baseball first. Going to DIII so he could play both football and baseball is probably not helping. I say that because you mentioned he has been to many events and hasn't been noticed.  If he really wants to get noticed, and he has the requisite skills, he needs to hone them.  If he gets better, and attends events, plays summer ball, he'll have a much better chance. Although playing both sports sounds fun, it is hard to serve two masters.  Heck it's hard to be a position player and pitcher at the college level. Throw in another sport, along with academics?

He needs to play in a well known summer wood bat league. In many areas there are small college showcases. We have one here in Central Ohio. It is usually held at Ohio Dominican. My son has been invited the last couple of years. These are usually invite only, or coaches choice. They are not publicized,  or come one come all. They are attended by scouts looking for players that may be late bloomers or fell through the cracks. Usually it is mostly D2, and D3 athletes, with some guys from the smaller D1's thrown in. 

Once a young man goes off to college, the best way to be noticed is to perform. Alot of that comes from playing in a good summer league, playing against good to top talent. It can be more difficult for a d3 position player than a pitcher, but it can be done. As a parent it is pretty much out of your hands now. Trying to send video will probably do no good. Scouts have trusted resources, and they rely on those and their own eyes. Some of it will depend on how he projects to the next level. If he bats .1000 at D3 it does not mean he can hit at the next level.

I am not trying to be harsh, but the best thing you can do now is be supportive and enjoy the ride. If he has the talent they will find him.

Whats his position?  What are his strength and does he play in a competitive D3 league. Often the players in the top ranked D3 get looks.

 

I agree that baseball tryouts are a waste.  Even if you are on someones list chances are no one is really interested.

 

What year is he in? Junior, senior?  

 

Getting drafted is not an easy task, as BLB has said, one has to project at the next level.  Remember that we see our players differently than others do.

 

I agree and not trying to be harsh either, the best thing you can do is be supportive and enjoy the college baseball games that he has left. And again, if he has the talent he will move forward.

 

He plays 1st and pitches. The reason he did football and baseball was because football actually recruited him but he has a stronger love of baseball. He wanted a school where he could do both so that he could try to get in as a walk on. Coming from a hostile environment where he worked hard but had no high school coaches on his side, he switched schools in junior year and lost the whole year to ineligibility but played on HS JV. Just to put this in perspective so you realize it's not just us, we had parents from other team telling us that if they would have thrown him the ball we would have won the game. But his teammates had a game of keep away going. And the coaches on our side knew about it and said nothing to the players.

Last spring and summer on his new team he was doing well with 6 or 7 HR. In the last game of the summer league season he had 2 RBI's, he as the relief pitcher he didn't allow a base runner and struck out one. He has an speed of 85 pitching. His biggest strength is his cool and calm demeanor. And a couple of good pitches. He's 6'5" and about 230 now. He is thinking of dropping football but has not received much playing time on the JV team at the college level. He was told to wait his turn while they try out some kids who have played different positions but are now taking his spots. 

We didn't know any of the steps to get college looks and so found a couple of try-outs at the beginning of his senior year. He was told by one college coach that he had an awful sweet swing and that he definitely was college ball level but that coach had invested his time in another player for a year and wouldn't be able to place him.

And we are too far away (185 miles one way) from Mpls/St. Paul. I would move if I could find a job! His coach now is not about to help him and I just want to see if we can at least have someone evaluate him honestly. As in a lot in life if you have connections they help along with luck. I'd love to think that he's going to get noticed by himself but I do realize there's thousands out there who are more impressive at first glance. He did not get any publicity until he changed schools and so that also didn't get his name or stats out there much and was pretty late in consideration of all the people who are working now with juniors and sophomores in high school.

I appreciate your comments. Thanks

 

I have to agree with TPM. However, a 6'5" pitcher who throws 90+ might be seen as projectable to get stronger and throw even harder. Focusing on pitching, arm strength and velocity would be his best bet at having a shot at the next level.

 

Keep in mind that when you look at major conference college rosters and rosters from other ranked D1 programs all the players were all conference, county, metro and often all state in high school. A large majority of them don't get drafted.

Last edited by RJM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×