College Baseball Recruiting Recommendations

The college baseball recruiting environment is rapidly changing with the addition of full scholarships, reduction of roster size and removal of limitations on transfers. These changes will shift the talent level across schools and concentrate more and more top players in the Power Four conferences. You need to work harder and smarter to land at the school that’s best for you.

Invest in Your Physicality: Hit the Weights

Coaches place a premium on strength and speed. Make the weight room your second home. Develop a strength and conditioning routine that complements your position and playing style. Building a robust physique not only enhances your performance but also showcases your dedication to the game. Specifically train to increase bat speed, which has a significant impact on hitting performance. Though expensive, Driveline’s training bats help with this.

Calibrate: Honestly Evaluate Your Skills

Be brutally honest about your skill set to calibrate the right level of play in collge. Compare yourself to college starters at different levels. Watch events with the top players like Perfect Game semi-finals and finals and Prep Baseball Report events to witness the competition and evaluate where you stand. Understanding your level of play is critical to target the right colleges efficiently. Focus on schools where you can play from day one rather than redshirting or sitting on the bench for a year or two. With the transfer portal, you can work your way up to more brand name schools, but sitting does nothing for your development or visibility.

Strategic School Selection: Attend Targeted College Camps

Narrow down your list of target schools based on your academic and athletic preferences and abilities. Attend college camps where you believe you could be a good fit. You don’t need an invitation. They’re required by the NCAA to be open to all players. However, the key is not just showing up—have a travel or high school coach with a connection to the school call ahead. This ensures the coaching staff is aware of your attendance, making your presence more impactful.

Leverage Connections: Network Within the Baseball Community

College baseball operates within a tight-knit community. Utilize connections to boost your visibility. If possible, find someone connected to your target school, such as an alumnus or hitting/pitching coach with ties to the coaching staff. Existing players can also be valuable contacts. A well-placed recommendation can make a significant difference in getting noticed.

Know Your Coaches: Research and Impress

Before attending any camp, thoroughly research the coaching staff. Impress them by demonstrating knowledge about their background, whether it’s their playing career or family ties to the sport. This information can also be useful to help you target local coaches with past connections to the staff. Coaches move around a lot, so just because they’re not in your area doesn’t mean they weren’t previously nearby.

Stand Out: Be Different than Others

College baseball coaches like unique skills – especially for pitchers. Unique arm slots can play well in college and give coaches options out of the bull pen. Submarine pitchers don’t have to throw hard, but can deceive hitters with a ball’s approach angle and movement. Really strong defenders can win a spot up the middle even if their bat is weak, but range, arm and quickness are critical. Look to Trosky camps to help with this. Even an extremely high SAT or ACT score can help you get join a team at high academic schools that have to reach a specific average threshold for their team. Find something special and make it your own to stand out from the crowd.

Leverage Social Media: Twitter as a Recruitment Tool

Twitter is a powerful tool for staying connected. Take the initiative to follow coaches and schools. If you make an impact at a camp, the coaches may follow you back. Optimize your profile by pinning a detailed summary of your metrics via PowerPoint or a 60-second video clip showcasing your best highlights. A well-curated Twitter feed can leave a lasting impression. Highlight GPA, 30 or 60 times, max exit velocity, throwing velocity