Take it from someone who has been through the recruiting gauntlet: trying to figure out where you will play college baseball can be a stressful time. Some of you might have 20 different college offers and some of you may not have a single offer yet. Whatever the case may be, this article will help you sort through the chaos.
What is the Baseball Recruiting World?
The baseball recruiting world can be summed up into one word: hectic. This is especially true if you are a parent or player trying to navigate this arena without any sort of guidance or sound advice. There are a plethora of organizations that all promise to deliver phenomenal results, exposure, and quality competition. However, it can be incredibly difficult to differentiate between what is real and what is fake in the industry. The recruiting world is very competitive; everyone wants to play for the biggest and greatest school. College coaches want to find the players who are going to help them win championships. Recruiting coordinators take their jobs very seriously and try to attract the best talent into their respective universities/colleges.
What Are College Coaches Looking For?
College coaches are looking for one thing when they recruit: athletes.
- They want players who are diverse and can play multiple positions. The more tools you have (run, throw, hit, hit for power, field), the greater chance you have to land at a prestigious baseball university.
- Coaches want to recruit athletes who are physically strong, fast, and durable. There are some more measurable statistics when talking about specific positions if you want to play at the Power 5 level.
- For position players (every player who isn't a pitcher), you will want to run a sub 6.7 second 60-yard dash, throw 85+ from the infield or outfield, and have a 90+ exit velocity off the tee.
- Right-handed pitchers will want to be 90+ mph with at least one other pitch you can command in the zone.
- For left-handed pitchers, you will want to be 87+ mph with at least one other pitch you can command in the zone. These metrics will market you to several Power 5 baseball programs.
Which Organization Should You Choose?
There are several organizations out there and it can be incredibly overwhelming to pick a single one. Some showcases and tournaments are worth your time and some simply are not.
Below is a list of reputable organizations:
These organizations host a variety of different tournaments and showcases that I would deem very beneficial for prospective student-athletes. Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report definitely stand out as the top two best in the industry. Going to a showcase for one of these two organizations isn't necessary, but it is extremely beneficial. Most of these showcases will cost you around $600.
Here are some organizations I would stay away from:
- Baseball Factory
- USSSA
Right now, these organizations simply do not have the reputation of the previously mentioned recruiters. Colleges will not hone in on these as much as the other listed organizations.
Thoughts to Keep in Mind
The number one thing to keep in mind while going through the recruiting process is that it is less about the organization and more about who you are as a player. If you are good enough, college coaches will find you! Make sure to focus on developing yourself as a player versus attending the maximum amount of showcases possible. Most importantly, never lose sight of the fun and joy the game brings you!
