Baseball America 07 - Top 100

Why ? So he can get on some top prospect list.
I applaud the fact that he has committed his summers to his local legion team, rather than getting caught up in the showcase racquet. I'm sure the people that really matter (scouts and recruiters) already know who Madison Bumgarner is. BA's omission just proves that money talks and the dog ate their homework.

 

I AGREE WITH 007

 

BA SHUNS NC TEAMS

How about the BA top 50 teams poll... Only one NC team on it, N. Forsyth at #40. BA says that the quality of high school baseball in NC just doesn't compare to alot of states.

Just curious, what do they base that statement on, and where do they get their infinite wisdom from?

 

The infinite wisdom comes from Perfect Game. Polls are an extension of top prospect lists in many cases. The reason BA doubts the quality of NC baseball is because NC players do not attend many PG national showcase events compared to other states (not to be confused with WWBA tournaments). When someone like Cameron Maybin does attend, walla, TC Roberson is all the sudden a top 50 team.
Baseball America and Perfect Game have the perfect marriage,
BA gets info wo beating the bushes, and PG has their service validated by having their clients on a national top prospect list.

 

I'm not saying you have to go away for the summer, it's a personal decision that each family/player has to make, but the question was asked....why isn't he ranked?

It's simple, you have to prove yourself against the best talent from across the nation, not just on a local level. Until you do, there will always be doubt about the level of competition faced (even if you're on the #1 4A team in NC) and how a player will react to difficult situations when away from home. A rare few will crack the list regardless, but playing away from home against the best competition is invaluable for the player and reveals a lot about the individual.

And keep in mind, the only reason we're having this conversation is becasue he is so talented.

Best of luck to Madison and congratulations to Justin, Sam, Greg and Quincy.

 

I would tend to agree with you as far as position players proving they can hit good pitching with wood.
For a lefty who throws 95, let the scouts do the traveling.
They might actually find a Legion playoff game more revealing as far as the makeup of a player than a showcase event where winning is not the primary objective.

 

Madison

I have seen this kid probably pitch every game that he has pitched this year and last and the year before that, considering my brother plays on the same team, and he impresses me everytime that he takes the mound. I have set with college and pro scouts at games this year and seen 93, 94, 95, 96 on the radar gun. And its not just that he throws hard, he's 6'4", he's a lefty, and he throws with a 3/4 release. Most hitters have no chance. Madison also has such a drive and will to compete and win. And to go along with all of that he is a great kid. I don't care or pay much attention to all of these polls/rankings. I have had the chance to see alot of very good pitchers over the past couple of years, Jared Bard, Blaine Howell, Sam Runion, Matt Andress, Matt Layman, Ryan Morris, Robbie Bray, Chris Archer, Bryant Gaines, Alex White and others, but no disrepect to these guys becuase they are very good, Madison has the most potential and is the best pitcher that I have ever seen. I can honestly say that. Madison don't need all of these high rankings, most of the people that count know of him and have seen him pitch. If Madison wants to play Legion baseball then he should, you can't get these years back. Madison is one of the top players in the state and in the nation, everyone that has seen him pitch knows that. Those people that are doing those rankings will feel real stupid about the time he is drafted in the 1st round next year.

 

Amen ! I agree that he is first round material. He is too much of a warrior to fool with showcase events. He plays to win, not to impress people.
Chew this over, the showcase folks need Madison Bumgarner much,much,much more than Madison needs them.
BA missing MB is like sitting on your porch and not noticing your house burning down.

 

Madison

Well, having coached Madison for a few years and growing up knowing his family, I will tell you this: The scary thing is he could actually be playing a year behind. He is very young for his grade and just now starting to mature. It will be scary to see what he will be next year. It was always great sending a kid to the mound knowing that team couldn't beat you with him on the mound. I have never coached a kid, that on the day he pitched was like a totally different person, totally focused. Madison deserves all the recognition in the world for the success he is having, because yes he is gifted, but I never ever seen a kid out work him. Many times I seen him standing out on the rec field on Sundays and in the winter time hour after hour hitting and throwing. I didn't get to see the East Rutherford game, but I think the greatest moment I witnessed was his freshman year starting the last game of the season, his team in a must win situation to make the playoffs, against the #1 team in the state (Alexander Central also the most rowdy and loud high school team on the planet), and pitching a complete game 3 hitter (two of which were infiled singles) and beating them 1-0. To understand the beauty of the situation you really need to understand the Alexander-South Caldwell rivalry (we really truley, hate each other between the chaulk lines). But Alexander's players actually came up and shook Madison's hand after the game (in which we were on the brink of a bench clearing brawl a couple of times), but those players actually shook his hand and told him that he did a hell of a job pitching that night. And Maddy if you read any of this stuff, you are always a pleasure to coach, and I will always be watching you. (I hope you make it all the way, you have come along way from that brat kid living on Dry Ponds!!!!!!!!!!) I am really pround of you bud.

 

The PG events are not just about $, although they make plenty running them. The exposure is unreal also. PG events also run after Legion Season like the E.Cobb event, so it is possible to finish legion ball then get onto an excellent team for E. Cobb. You can't take too much pitching to E. Cobb anyway!!