Which is better (searching for a new team)

Yes!!  Its supposed to be fun.

Might I suggest a hybrid?  Both of our sons' futures were clearly as PO.  But they could both contribute to their HS teams as a full time player.  So they were full scope players on the HS teams and PO on their (very high level) travel teams.  Best of both worlds.

That seemed to satisfy the itch and keep it fun for a long time.

Probably depends on what your son's objective is.  If it's to play in college, then HS and Summer Travel can be seen as a means to an end.  If it's to have fun, then it's to have fun.

My son wants to play in college and is a very good pitcher.  However, he's not an uber-athletic kid, so playing in the field may actually hurt him in front of recruiters.  As a result, he transitioned to PO last year and is perfectly content.  He pitched in 14 of his 21 HS varsity games as a junior, so saw plenty of action. 

A lot of players his age are going through the same process, making similar decisions.  Most college pitchers were some of the best HS players in their area as both position players and pitchers.  They had to make a choice at some point or it was made for them.  During the recruiting process, it typically becomes more and more evident where their best opportunities will be and they have to weigh that with their personal playing preferences along with many other factors in choosing their college path.

If the signs are telling him his best opportunity at the next level is as PO, then he has to start figuring out whether he will be happy as a college pitcher.  It is a lot of work and if he can't buy in completely to that direction, he will likely not make it too far.  If he is convinced that he wants to play at the college level as a position player, that's fine too, but he needs to understand that he will likely have to focus on and step up that part of his game and/or be willing to accept playing at a lower level (or two) as compared to what his potential seems to be as a PO.

You are correct that baseball isn't supposed to be a job in 11th grade and should be fun.  But the reality of today's competitive college landscape is that if he wants to play at the next level, there is a heck of a lot of work involved for him (and most aspiring players) right now, as you and he are experiencing.  IMO, finding the balance is the key.  If he is absolutely set on playing at the next level as a position player, and he is not the typical teen that may be inclined to change his mind in a few months, then I agree - he should consider a change (or a discussion with his current coaches) so that he can pursue his true passion.

He wants to play in college.  It's not going to be D1, so I was hoping there was some flexibility.  

While I know the All Tournament teams at PG don't mean anything in the grand scheme of things, he was getting them for both hitting and pitching up until this year where he didn't hit.  He has an exit velocity of 81mph, again, not D1, but not chopped liver either.

He's fairly athletic, plays OF and RHP for High School. He does more pitching than playing though.

Cherokeeplayer posted:

He wants to play in college.  It's not going to be D1, so I was hoping there was some flexibility.  

While I know the All Tournament teams at PG don't mean anything in the grand scheme of things, he was getting them for both hitting and pitching up until this year where he didn't hit.  He has an exit velocity of 81mph, again, not D1, but not chopped liver either.

He's fairly athletic, plays OF and RHP for High School. He does more pitching than playing though.

So, sounds like, although a strong all-around player, the HS coach, too, sees him more as a P.  In the OP, you said he was in communication with college coaches - where is their interest?

I'm not at all suggesting that he couldn't decide to pursue this thing as a position player (mine did that), just trying to help you make sure he is seeing the signs and feedback he is being given.  Also, keep in mind that the recruits he will be up against as a position player will have been focused primarily on hitting and fielding their best position defensively throughout HS.  How does he hit against really good pitching?  What is it that doesn't have his travel coaches insisting that he is in the lineup? 

Justbaseball's suggestion was a very good one, I thought, too.

Stay with the PO high level team and then find a lower level team that plays different tournaments or local team that will let him swing a bat to have fun.  Best of both worlds. 

The really successful D2 teams usually do not have 2 way players unless they can prove otherwise.  The strength of D2 is offense. This is because the D1 rosters are full of pitchers, which are many times D1 drop downs or JUCO guys. Again, this all depends upon the teams needs and the conference.

I understand how he feels about being a PO. If that is his strength than go with it, as his chances of getting an opportunity as a pitcher is greater in that position.

I agree that he should be enjoying what he is doing, so you need to sit down with your son and map out a plan for the fall and next summer.  Don't worry about not getting an opportunity right now because the new rules have slowed down the process for 2020s, unless you are a top prospect.

What are his main positions as a position player?  What is his 60 time?  Is he an excellent hitter?  

There is only one more summer left for him to attract attention from college scouts.  I understand wanting to make the most of it.