"Am I capable of playing college baseball?" "What level of skill is necessary?" These are among the most common queries posed by student-athletes. Merely two percent of high school players progress to Division 1 college baseball, yet numerous opportunities exist across other division levels. Grasping the criteria sought by college baseball scouts in position players regarding skills and experience can assist student-athletes in narrowing down their school search. This knowledge enables them to pinpoint programs that align best with their desired level of competition, enhancing their chances of finding the ideal match.
Maximizing Baseball Recruiting Guidelines for Success
College baseball scouts meticulously assess players based on a spectrum of attributes: arm strength, fielding prowess, speed, and proficiency in power-hitting and batting averages. The utilization of recruiting guidelines serves as a valuable yardstick for aspiring student-athletes, enabling them to gauge their abilities against those already competing at the collegiate level. Delving deeper into what distinguishes each position and the requisite skill sets essential for individual players is pivotal. This section aims to dissect divisional recruiting guidelines, providing recruits and their families with comprehensive insights into the anticipated expectations at various positions. Key considerations include:
- Guidelines vs. Realities: It's crucial to acknowledge that recruiting guidelines are not rigid rules but benchmarks. They offer a directional focus on what coaches generally seek, yet exceptions exist. Coaches ultimately seek the perfect fit for their team dynamics.
- The Significance of Travel Ball: Travel ball experiences are pivotal in catching the eye of coaches, particularly at the Division 1 level. These platforms often serve as rich talent pools from which coaches scout potential recruits.
- Objective Evaluation: Seek evaluations from reputable third-party evaluators or current coaches. Such assessments provide an accurate measure, allowing recruits to gauge their alignment with scholarship-level athletes concerning the outlined guidelines.
Understanding these nuanced aspects will empower aspiring players to better position themselves in the competitive landscape of college baseball recruitment.
Key Factors Considered by College Baseball Coaches When Recruiting Players
When assessing potential recruits, college baseball coaches focus on predicting their adaptability to the demands of collegiate-level play. A common concern for recruits and parents revolves around excelling at the high school level versus readiness for college competition. The discrepancy lies in the college game's accelerated pace and elevated standards. Therefore, recruits must exhibit prowess and the essential attributes of strength, agility, and overall athleticism to thrive in this transition.
What distinguishes recruits in coaches' eyes often boils down to their commitment to the sport. Coaches keenly observe a prospect's demeanor—before, during, and after games—to gauge their dedication. Additionally, coaches inquire with their mentors to grasp the recruit's attitude toward training. When all other aspects remain comparable, a recruit demonstrating unwavering commitment and a robust work ethic usually garners more attention and recruitment offers than someone solely relying on talent.
What age do scouts look at baseball players?
Scouting for baseball prospects commences when players exhibit sufficient physical development, allowing coaches to make reliable projections about their potential as 18- to 21-year-old athletes. However, the challenge for many recruits lies in the varying perspectives among coaches regarding when to assess players' future potential, coupled with the fact that athletes mature at different rates.
The timing and evaluations from coaches are beyond their control for aspiring prospects seeking recruitment. Irrespective of age, the primary focus should be continual improvement and strategically positioning oneself against top-tier competition. Exploring opportunities within baseball teams and tournaments can significantly aid this pursuit.
Division 1
- Club experience: 3–4 years of high-level travel baseball
- Awards and accolades: multiple-time All-Conference, All-Area, All-State honors
- Seasons as varsity starter: 3–4
Division 2
- Club experience: 2–3 years of high-level travel baseball
- Awards and accolades: multiple time All-Conference, All-Area, potential All-State honors
- Seasons as varsity starter: 2–3
Division 3 and NAIA
- Club experience: 2–3 years playing travel baseball
- Awards and accolades: multiple time All-Conference, All-Area honors
- Seasons as varsity starter: 1–2
Junior College
- Club experience: 2–3 years playing travel baseball
- Awards and accolades: multiple time All-Conference, All-Area honors
- Seasons as varsity starter: 1–2
What do college baseball scouts look for in a pitcher?
Division 1
- Pitch velocity: 84 MPH consistently; up to 95+ MPH
- Command of at least three pitches
- ERA: below 2.00
- At least 1 K per inning pitched
- Walk less than one batter per 2 innings pitched
Division 2
- Pitch velocity: 82 MPH – 90+ MPH
- Control of one off-speed pitch and one additional pitch thrown to spots consistently
- ERA: below 3.00
- Around 1 K per 1 innings pitched
- Walk around one batter per 2 innings pitcher
Division 3 and NAIA
- Pitch velocity: 77 MPH – 82 MPH
- Control of at least one off-speed pitch and developing another
- Strike out-to-walk ratio of 1:1
- ERA: 2.50–3.50
Junior College
- Pitch velocity: 80 MPH consistently
- 1 or less than 1 K per inning pitched
- ERA: below 4.00
What is a good ERA in baseball?
An ERA between 2.00 and 4.00 is considered good for high school pitchers. Pitchers looking to play at the D1 level should aim to reach an ERA below 2.00.
What does a D1 baseball pitcher look like? Former D1 baseball player and NJCAA coach Nelson Gord breaks down what skills D1 college coaches look for in both right-handed and left-handed pitchers.
What do college baseball scouts look for in a catcher?
Division 1
- Coaches will take a closer look at catch and throw mechanics as well as the arm strength shown while throwing to 2nd and 3rd base
- While defense comes first for a catcher, Division 1 coaches will also look for a player who demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and has the ability to work with the entire pitching staff
- Division 1 catchers swing the bat well and usually can hit for power or average at a high level.
- OBP: .500
- Slugging: .600 (minimum two at-bats per game)
- Pop Time: 1.95 and below consistently (verified by a neutral source)
Division 2
- OBP: .450
- Slugging: .550 (minimum two at-bats per game)
- Pop Time: 2.0 and below consistently (verified by a neutral source)
Division 3 and NAIA
- OBP: .400
- Slugging: .500
- Pop time: 2.0 – 2.1
Junior college
- OBP: .350
- Slugging: .450
- Pop Time: 2.1 or below
What do college baseball scouts look for in a first baseman?
Division 1
- HR: 5–10 as a junior and senior in high school
- OBP: .500
- Slugging: .750 (minimum two at-bats per game)
Division 2
- Needs to demonstrate the ability or potential to hit for power
- A solid 1B recruit in this tier should have a few HRs and a lot of RBIs as a junior and senior in high school
Division 3 and NAIA
- Power Numbers: 3+ HR, 25+ RBI
Junior College
- Power Numbers: 2+ HR, 20+ RBI
What do college baseball scouts look for in a third baseman?
Division 1
- Infield velocity: 85 MPH – 95 MPH
- HR: 5–10 as a junior and senior in high school
- OBP: .500
- Slugging: .750
Division 2
- Infield Velocity: At least 80 MPH with the ability to improve through development
- HR: At least 2 HR as a high school junior and senior
- OBP/SLG: At least .400 in each category
Division 3 and NAIA
- Power Numbers: 2+ HR, 25+ RBI
- Junior college
- Power Numbers: 2+ HR, 20+ RBI
What do college baseball scouts look for in a middle infielder?
Division 1
- 60-yard dash: 6.5–6.8. (verified by a third party)
- Infield velocity: Division 1 middle infield recruits will throw the ball across the diamond anywhere between 85 MPH – 95 MPH
- OBP: .500
- Slugging: .600 (minimum two at-bats per game)
- The prototypical Division I middle infield recruit can hit for a high average as well as steal a lot of bases, and occasionally hit for power
Division 2
- 60-yard dash: 6.9 or below
- Infield Velocity: Low 80s and above MPH from SS
- OBP: .550
- Slugging: .450 (minimum two at-bats per game)
Division 3 and NAIA
- 60-yard dash: 7.0 or below
- Infield velocity: 78+ MPH from SS
- OBP: .400
- Slugging: .500
Junior college
- 60-yard dash: 7.1 or below
- Infield velocity: Upper 70s MPH from SS
- OBP: .350
- Slugging: .450
When it comes to midfielders, D1 college coaches tend to focus their recruiting efforts on shortstops rather than athletes who strictly play second base.
What do college baseball scouts look for in a center fielder?
Division 1
- Infield velocity: 87–95+ MPH from the outfield
- 60-yard dash: below 6.7
- Infield velocity: 87–95+ MPH from the outfield
- OBP: .500
- Slugging: .600 (minimum two at-bats per game)
Division 2
- 60-yard dash: below 6.9
- OBP: .450
- SLG: .500 (minimum two at-bats per game)
Division 3 and NAIA
- 60-yard dash: 6.9 or below
- OF velocity: 80+ MPH
- OBP: .400
- Slugging: .500
Junior college
- 60-yard dash: 7.0 or below
- OF velocity: 78+ MPH
- OBP: .350
- Slugging: .450
What do college baseball scouts look for in a corner outfielder?
Division 1
- 60-yard dash: below 6.8
- OF velocity: 87+ MPH (verified by a neutral source)
- Slugging: at least 5 HRs as a high school junior and senior
- .750 (minimum 2 at-bats per game)
- OBP: .500
Division 2
- 60-yard dash: below 7.0
- Velocity from the OF: low 80s at least, with the potential to improve
- Slugging: Multiple HRs as a high school junior and senior
Division 3 and NAIA
- 60-yard dash: 6.9 or below
- OF velocity: 80+ MPH
- OB%: .400
- Slugging: .650
Junior college
- 60-yard dash: 7.0 or below
- OF velocity: 78+ MPH
