Baseball America 07 - Top 100

Showcase events

If a kid wants to play showcase and attend PG events great. And if a kid wants to just play legion and not attend showcase events thats also great. To each his own. If a kid is as talented as Bumgardner and he wishes to not play showcase its not going to hurt him. He is so talented that it will not matter. Every kid is not in this boat that is obvious. It does not mean that either decision is wrong. Every kids situation is different. We had a lhp drafted a couple of years ago in the third round. He was a 6'4 lefty that pitched in the 89-92 range and hit mid 90's several times with pro scouts present. He made it clear that he wanted to be drafted and would sign rather than attend NC State. He attended his first and only showcase the summer after his Jr year in HS. His first start his Sr year there was over 20 scouts at our first game. Every kids situation is different. For some the showcase route works very well. For a select group of kids it does not matter. Either way it is up to the individual and we should all respect their decisions to play where and with whoever they decide to play with. Are there kids that deserve to be on the BA list that are not? Of course. But the ones on the list are very deserving of the attention given.

 

Not that it matters one way or another, but I'm pretty sure Maddy did play last summer/fall for a showcase team out of the Charlotte area. Help?

 

I don't know why you are upset about my post 007. I'm just giving my opinion based on my experience with pro scouts and those of my family. BUT...if you don't care who comes to watch you play, then it doesn't matter who you play for. Very few players across the country will have an opportunity to play for a national team. A team that has great coaches, facilities, room and board and workout programs throughout the season; play against many of the top players around the country on a weekly basis. Play before the top scouts of each MLB team each weekend....and it's free! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity afforded to very few players....Madison is one of those players.

If one has never played in the WWBA World Series in Jupiter before 500 + scouts, where you are competing against many of the best HS players in the country, then you missed a great opportunity.

The facts of life are...if you are talented enough to be a top 5 round player, you better play where you will be noticed. I find it amusing when people say," if you are good enough, they will find you"...those days are long gone. Sure, you may have an associate scout and maybe an area scout come watch you, but they aren't the one's that make the decisions. And no matter how one feels about BA's list of players or PG's list of players....the scouts follow those lists and they, ultimately, are the only one's that matter.

In most cases, I would agree with you 007. But there are 3 kids in NC that have an excellent chance of being drafted in a high round. I would say 4 but the other one will not be signable. All 3 have played for national teams...they will be drafted...and they can thank the teams they played for because those teams gave them the exposure needed to be drafted.

 

I wonder how many college, minor league and major league players ever made the BA or PG rankings? I bet more were NOT on the list than were. Madison is a great pitcher and even better person - and North Carolina consistently has talent that can compete on the national level!

 

That was a very good post. I saw Madison pitch that game as well and have seen him this year, he is amazing. And as you said, Madison could be in the 08 class. He does not turn 17 until August...that is a scary thought for opponents knowing that he could be a sophomore. Madison should be in the top 100 list but being around Madison for years, I really do not think Madison cares one bit whether he is on that list or not, and that is exactly how he should feel. Madison is a great kid and a great player and has a very very bright future no matter where he plays in the offseason. There is no need for him to go to PG events and get noticed bc speaking with MLB scouts, they already know who he is.

 

Every player that was drafted in the top 10 rounds from college or HS were either ranked by BA or PG. Since they don't rank foreign players, then your premise is true in regards to pro ball.

Every player, for the last 5 years, that participated in PG's Jupiter event went on to play college or were drafted. That's over 800 players last year alone.

Ryan Morris was known locally and some schools showed interest in him. After competing in Jupiter, he had 85 schools actively and probably 40 aggressively pursue him. After returning last year to the same event, he has been flooded with attention from the pro guys. In fact, he had to employ an advisor to help him with the process. Now, Ryan's talent has not changed, but what did change was the exposure afforded to him by the teams and events he participated in.

I'm just giving an opinion based on my experiences. What weight one gives my opinions is entirely up to them (it doesn't bother me one way or another). I know there are many that don't like Showcase teams...and I would prefer that it was never started. But...it's here. It's tournaments are actively sought after by college coaches and PG puts on the best.

Again, I'm not talking about the majority of players in NC. I'm speaking in regards to the 2-3 players across the state that may have an opportunity to be drafted...and if they are interested in being drafted, then they should put themselves in the best position possible

 

I wish him well...whatever he decides to do

 

Guys....no doubt Madison is an excellent player and one of the top prospects in the Nation.

Braves makes some very good points....you need to put yourself in the position to been seen by as many people across the nation as possible...remember, most people seeing Madison are local area scouts...

I went through the same thing with my son....his name never came up with the Jordan Walden's, Kyle Drabeks, Jeremy Jeffress', or Kasey Kikers' of the world...he was fotunate to play in some of the National Showcases and did get more recgonition on a national level....

Madison will be fine...but when it comes down to being a pick in the 1st through 3rd rounds of the draft he needs all the National exposure he can get....every scout is pushing their own guys....so the more people that have seen him the better his chances will be...

 

How do you know this ?
I find this very hard to believe.

 

Madison's a great player, but maybe we should be giving the kids that are on the list a little credit too. They are all great players in their own right, and are very deserving of the recognition received from Baseball America.

Once again, way to go Justin, Sam, Greg and Quincy!