What makes a D1 recruit?

D1 players

OK, guys, I have never done this before but the dad that is so concerned about his son pitching D1, should look into the smaller D1 schools. My son was recruited by some large D1 schools but chose to play at a smaller one because he felt that he would have the opportunity to make an impact sooner. He was right. He started as a freshman and has had the time of his life. Academically, the school is excellent and the baseball program is full of young, enthuastic players and as time goes on they will become better and better. If D1 is where your heart is set, look for the smaller D1 schools. That should fulfill the dreams and then no one has regrets about 'what could have been'. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

 

Answer is yes. There was a guy at Winthrop around 1995 named Jason Link (it may be Fink) which was a bellow avg sized lefty which threw 82-83. He absolutly carved his compeitition. His senior year he worked Fla State, and some other very high profile D1 schools. I believe he went something like 13-1 with a 1.5 or so ERA.

Winthrop also had a guy named Ben Thurmond which came in as a low 80's pitcher and second baseman with a nasty changeup. He ended up a 90's guy with a even nastier changeup because of the speed increase.

I also played with a guy (D1) probally much like what your son is which was 5-8ish threw low 80's won his team a state championship which signed with us the summer after his senior year. Very late. Although he didn't pitch much his freshman year he got his starts later on and pitched a no-hitter against Liberty when their team was close to the top in the nation in hitting. (around 340 as a team) He promptly got Louisville Slugger national player of the week for that and another pitching performance.

While the low 80's guys are not the most desired players early on there is such a need for pitching at the lower profile D1 schools because for the most part (pitching depth) is what seperates very good teams from average teams. Teams need a guy they can put on the mound 3 times a week for a few innings to throw strikes. If they turn into a starter then all the better.

 

Good post, srhull...and so true

 

Braves

sent you an PM the other day!
Coach H

 

Thanks Coach..I just saw it

 

Alright baseballman, I have decided to throw in my opinion with this whole situation. You have been saying that all scouts look for is velocity...that is complete b.s. I am great friends with scouts coaches from a lot the big dI schools in NC and SC and that is not the case. You find me and give me names of teams in north and south carolina that have more than one left-hander throwing 90+....It is NOT going to happen. If that was the case, there would be no left hander pitchers because most of them do not throw 90. My point is, you do not have to throw hard to go to a big DI school. I know numerous colleges all-throughout the country that have left handers throwing under 85 mph so velocity is not the factor that scouts look for. The bigget thing the look at is does the kid know how to pitch. NUMBER ONE THING- IS HE AFRAID TO COME INSIDE ON A BATTER??? Can he throw a 3-2 curveball with the game on the line. Is he tough...mentally and physically, does he know how to locate. So velocity is not the factor, so do not start ragging on scouts about that, because that is not the case.

 

OK

thats your opinion. Several people on here have stated that this kid can do all the things you mentioned and do them very well. His door is not being beaten down by scouts and coaches.

 

I believe to be highly recruited a lefty has to throw 85 consistently

 

Well if you want to think that you have to be able to blow it by a batter, then thats up to you...but being a former professional and college pitching scout, I do have some idea what scouts look for, and velocity has little to do with it. Maybe scouts arent seeing the toughness in your son, and he needs to learn to be tough and by you asking why he isnt getting offers, that isnt making him any tougher, if he is as good as you say and is willing to work hard, he can play D I baseball.

 

I am not going to say anything else about my son's ability or lack thereof. I think there are a number people on this site that would vouch for Mac's toughness. I think you missed the Lefty Dad's point. Many here believe a kid like him CAN and WOULD be successful at the college letter. Its whether he gets the chance that is the issue.