Need baseball advice for HS situation !

[jmac]

First let me say, this is non-baseball chatter so I dont know what forum to put this in.
This concerns a friend of mine who has a son who is an exceptional catcher.
He has been playing Varsity since 7th grade, has an excellent pop-time and shows extra-ordinary baseball skills behind the plate. Just saturday, in a game, he picked off a runner from first which happens quite often and threw a guy out trying to steal (from his knees).
On several occassions this season someone on a ball in dirt would try to advance and his arm strength has allowed him to nail them from his knees.
He is really a gifted young catcher. Some opposing coaches have commented he is the best catcher they have ever seen.
I was telling the daddy today, he may catch Joe Blanton one day ( Blanton attended the neighboring school)
He was asking me what is the best way for him to do. Does he call colleges or just wait and hope he is discovered?
You may say if he is that good, he will be discovered.
Well, he may by smaller colleges but I mean to have a few of the top-notch know of him.
See, our region is something like the NL Central.
Harang could go 16-5 and not get a vote for the Cy Young while a Hudson,Zambrano, Hamels would rake in votes with lesser numbers.

That is the way our region is. Team A and Team B have the stars whether in all actuality they are or not.

So are there any HS coaches or college Coaches members of the redszone that can give this kid advice ?
I told the father today , he (son) needs to not settle for a lesser but try to go to as good a baseball program as he can.
I also told him I would put it out on the redszone so here it is.
Comments and suggestions needed.
Thanks for any imput !

[Degenerate39]

If possible make a highlight video for him and send it to the colleges he had in mind. Maybe send some of his stats as well.

[Orodle]

First off what age/grade is he now? and if hes been playing varsity since 7th grade does that mean hes a Kentrucky boy? And what division is his high school team?

Do contact schools. Especially D2 and D3 schools. Now your first reaction to D2 or D3 would be its not big time, but its a different story for baseball compared to basketball or football. There are a ton of D2 and 3 college players that play pro ball and/or transfer to D1 programs after a year or two. THere are even a lot of community college players that transfer to D1 schools or end up being drafted.

Don't expect a full scholarship, its very rare in baseball. Most scholarship baseball players are on partial scholarships.

this link may help a few of your questions: http://www.varsityedge.com/nei/varsity.nsf/main/myths+and+realities+of+college+athletics+and+recru iting

But dont be afraid to contact schools. Send letters, photos, video, grade sheets, ect.

[Unassisted]

My son attends a very large high school where at least a dozen kids from each graduating class go to D-1 schools on athletic scholarship in various sports. Around here there are services that put together highlight tapes of athletes they can send out to help themselves get "discovered."

I found a few services online with a search for "athlete highlight tapes." Including the word "recruiting" in that search should help, too.

[Johnny Footstool]

Does the kid play on a high-quality summer team that travels around the country, or at least around the region?

[Caseyfan21]

Does the kid play on a high-quality summer team that travels around the country, or at least around the region?

Summer ball is really the key to getting noticed. I play HS ball and summer ball during high school and there were always a lot more scouts/college coaches at summer ball games. We had 3 kids play D-1 college baseball from my HS team and a couple others either choose a different sport of play in lower divisions. While the occasional college scout was at our games, I never really noticed any pro teams at our games. However, on my summer league team when we played in big tournaments there were always at least 2-3 pro scouts just taking in the game, even if they were not looking at anyone in particular. I'd suggest making sure he tries out for a few bigger summer teams that play in tournaments where he might get noticed.

[goreds2]

They say being a catcher is the fastest way to the Majors. I wish him well.

[jmac]

Does the kid play on a high-quality summer team that travels around the country, or at least around the region?

He did play on some type of all-star team that went and played in Tennessee during the offseason.

[GoReds33]

He did play on some type of all-star team that went and played in Tennessee during the offseason.Good. I would say that is the best way to get noticed. Coaches on those teams usually have connections, and scouts more frequently attend those games.

[MasonBuzz3]

dont rule out going the JUCO route either

[Razor Shines]

There are college showcases he can go to. They cost money, but not a lot. My 16 yo brother is going to one in July or August and it's $245. He also plays on a travel team that is going to the Dominican Republic this summer. He goes to a small private school so I think these things will help him get noticed. I think he's really good, but we'll see what the college scouts think.

[George Anderson]

Summer travel ball is really the answer. Not only will it get him noticed but it will put him up against the best of the best and he can see for himself if he really is the real deal.

[smoke6]

As a coach at the college level (& former HS coach)...

1. Attend as many Showcases as possible.
2. Play HIGH QUALITY summer ball
3. Send video (NOT highlights) to college coaches (anybody can make a highlight tape. Video of a good swing and fundamental drills is prefered).

Good Luck,6

[IslandRed]

Also, a lot of the Division 1 schools have baseball camps in the summer, and at some schools there seems to be an eerily high correlation between the rosters and kids who once attended camp there. If your kid has an idea of where he wants to play and that school has a camp, go if you can.

Otherwise, I agree with the rest of the comments. College baseball teams don't have huge recruiting budgets so you can't assume your son will be discovered just by being good. Be proactive.

[smoke6]

Also, a lot of the Division 1 schools have baseball camps in the summer, and at some schools there seems to be an eerily high correlation between the rosters and kids who once attended camp there. If your kid has an idea of where he wants to play and that school has a camp, go if you can.

Otherwise, I agree with the rest of the comments. College baseball teams don't have huge recruiting budgets so you can't assume your son will be discovered just by being good. Be proactive.

Excellent point. Tell the kid/parent to take matters into their own hands. Make the kid be seen, don't wait for them to be discovered.

[sonny]

Best of luck with him!

Just make sure he's having fun playing while this gets worked out. :thumbup:

[jmac]

Just a little update on my friend.
His team won the district and are now in regionals. Here is a write-up about the team and I am copying and paste so I am cutting out much except part on him.
COUGARS EARN TWIN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Cougar baseball team beat Butler County 12-1 in five innings on Tuesday to claim the 12th District Championship



Cougars maul Bears
12-1 in five innings
By Don Brown
News-Gazette Sports Reporter
Published:
Friday, May 23, 2008 2:12 PM CDT
The Cougar baseball team left little doubt as to who was going to be the 12th District champion this year.

One night after Jordan White tied a state record with four home runs in one game in a 23-0 thrashing of Whitesville Trinity, the Cougars ran roughshod over the Butler County Bears 12-1 on Tuesday to claim the district trophy.

At the plate, the Cougars ripped three different Bear pitchers for 12 runs on nine hits. Junior Alphonso Soto was 2-for-3 on the night, including a two-run home run, and drove in four runs. Junior Adrian Board also drove in four runs with a triple and double in three at-bats.
[I]Then, with an 0-2 count on Denny Lasiter, Board gunned down Overstreet trying to steal second for the last out
Scott walked and Tristan Willis singled up the middle, causing Butler County to replace Shavers on the mound with Jennings. Board gave Junnings a big Grayson County greeting by blasting a pitch to the fence in left-center that went for a two-run triple and made it 6-0.

[I][Scott singled to right to load the bases for Willis, who walked to drive in Saltsman to make it 9-1. Soto scored on a wild pitch before Board lined a pitch into the left-field corner for a double that drove in two more to make it 12-1.
/I]

Adrian Board is the junior catcher. Incidentially, The Jordan White set a record in the one district game by hitting 4 homeruns and throwing a no-hitter in the same game.

[George Foster]

If he is playing top notch high school competition, the scouts will be their looking at the other kids and if he is good, he will get noticed. What is his size? D-1 schools and pro scouts tend to overlook under size players. He needs to be at least 5' 9" and 160+ to get looked at IMO.

Unlike college basketball, unless your a Josh Hamilton, they (scouts, colleges) don't really start recruiting you until after your Jr. season.

The Cape Cod leagues are the best leagues in the summer, no question. I would not hesitate to go in person to a D-1 coach and ask him if he knows anyone you could contact to get him in a league this summer in the North East. Good Luck.

[jmac]

If he is playing top notch high school competition, the scouts will be their looking at the other kids and if he is good, he will get noticed. What is his size? D-1 schools and pro scouts tend to overlook under size players. He needs to be at least 5' 9" and 160+ to get looked at IMO.

Unlike college basketball, unless your a Josh Hamilton, they (scouts, colleges) don't really start recruiting you until after your Jr. season.

The Cape Cod leagues are the best leagues in the summer, no question. I would not hesitate to go in person to a D-1 coach and ask him if he knows anyone you could contact to get him in a league this summer in the North East. Good Luck.

I am not sure of weight but he is almost 5-10 and has been lifting wieghts for awhile. He is very ripped and muscular with very low body fat.

[Hollcat]

Drive him to Louisville, let them see how he does with the Bats for a week or two and then maybe he can take Ross' spot on the roster in Cincy! He can catch a ball throw to him by another player besides the pitcher can't he?

[smoke6]

If he is playing top notch high school competition, the scouts will be their looking at the other kids and if he is good, he will get noticed. What is his size? D-1 schools and pro scouts tend to overlook under size players. He needs to be at least 5' 9" and 160+ to get looked at IMO.

Unlike college basketball, unless your a Josh Hamilton, they (scouts, colleges) don't really start recruiting you until after your Jr. season.

The Cape Cod leagues are the best leagues in the summer, no question. I would not hesitate to go in person to a D-1 coach and ask him if he knows anyone you could contact to get him in a league this summer in the North East. Good Luck.

You have to have completed 1 year of college elig. to play in the CCL.

[Team Clark]

As a coach at the college level (& former HS coach)...

1. Attend as many Showcases as possible.
2. Play HIGH QUALITY summer ball
3. Send video (NOT highlights) to college coaches (anybody can make a highlight tape. Video of a good swing and fundamental drills is prefered).

Good Luck,6

Agree 100,000% Show all of his fundamental skills. Hitting BP to all fields, Throwing, Blocking, Footwork, Arm, Receiving skills with framing, everything. Use the 5 tools. One of the coaches who watches it will undoubtedly use an evaluation card to grade him.

[jmac]

Thanks again everyone.
I am passing your info on to the father !

[Highlifeman21]

If the US doesn't work, I hear Korea is snatching up American players left and right.

Demand to be paid in Euros, though. Just for kicks.

[Degenerate39]

I just ran across this site. I don't know if it works or not but I doubt it would hurt to give it a shot.

http://www.berecruited.com/