If you want to play for the best college baseball teams in the country, you might want to attend some of their camps. Attending college camps is the easiest way to meet coaches, see facilities, and show off your skills. Some camps are only for prospects while others are focused on the growth of the players and having fun (and let's be honest, making money for the school). We're here to help you find the best school-specific DI baseball camps in the country. All of these camps have high-level and successful baseball programs with the premiere coaching staff in the nation.
1. Vanderbilt University – Vanderbilt Baseball High School Prospect Camp
Vanderbilt's Prospect Camp is everything you'd want as a prospect. The camp is open to anyone and you don't need an invite to join. You get to work with some of the best coaches in the country and play alongside some of the best players too. Vanderbilt is consistently ranked top 10 in the country every year, so the coaching staff is truly elite. Each day includes individual position play as well as instruction and gameplay. Not to mention, parents are allowed to come and watch every day of the camp.
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2. Louisiana State University – Become a Tiger Camp
The goal of LSU's summer camp is to provide campers an experience similar to what LSU Baseball players experience everyday. LSU provides jersey shirts, hats, and even a customized locker for every camper. Athletes get to work alongside the LSU coaching staff on skill development, and they will experience a 3-game series between two teams of campers. The camp is limited to 45 campers, so instruction is specific to the athletes. It is first-come first serve, so if you're interested, sign up right away. On top of all of that, the camp also includes a seminar on the college baseball experience for both the camper and parents.
3. Arizona State University – Arizona State Baseball Academy
Arizona State University's baseball camp is different from most because they have a variety of different camps you can choose from that anyone can go to. They have youth camps, showcase camps, pitching camps, and hitting camps. The ASU coaches don't focus on the skills a specific position needs; they want to make their campers better all-around players. They also want to teach the athletes mental skills while playing since baseball is a game of failure. In baseball getting a hit 3/10 times makes you a great player, which means you have to be able to handle failure. Arizona State Baseball Academy has a nice balance between skill development and competitive play.
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4. Texas Christian University – TCU Experience Showcase
TCU's Experience Showcase is structured to highlight a player's overall abilities. This camp is strictly for athletes who want to play at the next level, but it's not invite-only. Athletes have the opportunity to be seen by coaches as well as MLB scouts. Even though TCU emphasizes the showcase aspect, they still provide excellent coaching and instruction. Coaches will help with skill development and share information on the college baseball experience and recruiting process.
5. California State University-Fullerton – Titan Baseball Academy
Titan Baseball Academy is one of the most well-rounded camps on this list. The camp caters to all field positions and focuses on batting and game situations too. They offer organized games between campers so athletes can use the skills they've learned in a real-game setting. If you're looking to learn a little bit of everything, this camp is for you.
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6. University of Mississippi – Ole Miss Summer Baseball Camp
Ole Miss is known to mold MLB players like Hunter Renfroe and Brandon Woodruff. There's no doubt this camp can get you high-caliber experience from elite coaches. Coach Bianco and his staff are at all the camps, and each camp has a 1:10 coach to camper ratio. Ole Miss has camps that are half-days and half-week for any athletes who can't miss tournaments or practices. The best part is, campers get to play in one of the most famous college baseball stadiums in the country.
7. Mississippi State University – Prospect Camp
It's no coincidence that there are two Mississippi camps on this list. Some of the highest level of baseball flows out of Mississippi. The camp sessions are designed to develop every player's skills and teach them new and improved techniques. All drills and activities will be based on what Mississippi State University coaching staff uses. This camp is open to only those who want to play baseball at the collegiate or professional level. The prospect clinic is strictly for recruits who want to play Division I baseball.
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8. Florida State University – Mike Martin Jr. Summer Prospect Camp
At Mike Martin Jr. Summer Prospect Camp, you can get the most specific and targeted training for your position. This is a one-day camp that consists of three different sessions. There is a pitching, catching, and hitting session, and campers can choose to sign up for any that they want, or even all of them. FSU coaches run the camp as well as current/former Seminole players and junior college coaches. The camp is set up in a way that is instructional, but also allows you to show your skills to the Florida State coaching staff.
9. University of Arkansas – High School Prospect Camp
When you attend a University of Arkansas baseball camp, you are signing up with one of the most reputable teams in the history of college baseball. Dozens of MLB athletes attended this camp, and you could be the next. The University of Arkansas provides camps for each position or an all-around camp to get closer with all of the coaching staff. Having this camp on your resume is a must.
10. Wright State University – Alex Sogard High School/JUCO Player Prospect Camp
The last camp on this list may not be a school that jumps off the page, but trust us, it's worth a look. Alex Sogard Baseball Camps have the highest level of camps and clinics for all ages and skill levels. These camps can act as showcases and you can get to know the Wright State coaches. The skills and drills utilized at this camp are picked specifically to emulate the college baseball experience. These include live scrimmages and drills that the Wright State team do themselves. This camp is legit.
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Image source: Best of Arkansas Sports
* Originally published on March 16, 2022, by Grant Osborne