Unbelievable. Ohio County senior pitcher Logan Eaton went undefeated 8-0 and isn't signed collegiately. As one of the best in the 3rd Region, Wow is all I can say. This kid is solid. Low to mid 80s and fills up the strike zone. And I can absolutely guarantee that he projects much better. Plus....Academic All-State and excellent young man. Talk about overlooked....SMH at those who evaluate talent.

Is there anything that stands out about this kid in particular? Because with all due respect, the W/L record is nice, but there are other numbers that say more. And a low 80's fastball can be found on nearly every HS team in the Commonwealth. What else does he do to separate himself from all of the others in that class of pitcher?

Did he put himself out there? I just quickly looked at KY PBR and I did not see him listed as attending any events. PBR seems to be one of the first steps for any high school player in KY looking to play at the next level.

Is there anything that stands out about this kid in particular? Because with all due respect, the W/L record is nice, but there are other numbers that say more. And a low 80's fastball can be found on nearly every HS team in the Commonwealth. What else does he do to separate himself from all of the others in that class of pitcher?

 

Yep. There's so much more to recruiting than just throwing a fastball and having a nice record. How big is he?? What other pitches does he throw, and can he throw them for strikes? Filling up the strike zone with an 83-85 mph fastball with no movement, and no other pitches will get you knocked around at the next level.

In answer to questions:

 

1. Helped lead his team to State Tournsment. Pitched in relief in State against eventual state runner up Campbell Co. One scoreless inning.

 

2. Does have movement and throws breaking ball for strikes.

 

3. Everybody doesn't have mid-80s talent. Been around and seen many who evidently need to buy a new radar gun. Mid 80s is very, very good velocity.....still today.

 

4. The kid battles, adjusts, and knows how to pitch under pressure.

 

I am not saying he would be the ace with any nearby program immediately,. There are many schools in KY that simply aren't very good at their level. Might want to take a look at their "big-time" status when it comes to recruiting quality players....not just those with no-brainer numbers and velocity. Any fool can recognize that talent.

 

In the end, Logan is a quality pitcher that could definitely succeed at the NAIA level. ..maybe NCAA D-2. Might even progress better...who knows.

 

This radar gun, statistical style of recruiting will get ya beat. You have to think outside the box to really know how to put together a championship winner.

 

And for schools who haven't won ever or in a long while.....drop the "big-time" attitude when you recruit. Nobody wants to play for that kind of program.

 

They missed a very good player here in my humble opinion.

You don't get to 8-0 throwing gunshot fastballs and nothing else. 8-0 is a big number for a high school season don't ya think? It's just an indicator...I agree. I am certainly not a novice when it comes to pitching. I talk to coaches....and you can immediately tell if they are internet vs real experience knowledge-based on pitching. They know the buzz words and lingo but no clue how to really teach it or feel for any aspect of pitching. This goes for former position players....former catchers are just straight up buttholes (love those guys).

Edited August 14, 201610 yr by Randy Parker
Rule 8

PBR....love em....but not everyone has the time or money to get recognized in that way. But the point is well taken.

Unfortunately, Just playing high school baseball will normally not put you on a college's radar . College coaches are busy with their own teams during this time. A good traveling summer team that plays a very competitive schedule and attending showcases like PBR is almost a must if a kid is serious about playing after high school. Did this player reach out to any colleges ? Even if money is an issue, just getting to a computer and filling out college team questionnaires will get some responses.

Unfortunately, Just playing high school baseball will normally not put you on a college's radar . College coaches are busy with their own teams during this time. A good traveling summer team that plays a very competitive schedule and attending showcases like PBR is almost a must if a kid is serious about playing after high school. Did this player reach out to any colleges ? Even if money is an issue, just getting to a computer and filling out college team questionnaires will get some responses.

 

Very good advice here... If the player doesn't make first contact to show interest in a college program... It's very hard to get noticed...

Keep in mind... They only have so many roster spot needs, they're schedules are insanely busy and many players are reaching out to them... So, if you're not contacting coaches, you'll likely be overlooked.

 

Only a handful of high-level talent will be "found" through scouting or word-of-mouth in today's environment...

 

Too many good players on too many good travel teams... And too many good players that are participating in PBR events and/or other similar showcase opportunities.

 

Surely not an ideal situation for many student/athletes, but it is what it is.

Is he a righty or lefty? If the answer is a righty, mid 80's isn't anything special in today's game. It's pretty much average. It's a BP speed at the next level. Having played and pitched alongside some guys who threw low to mid 80's they struggled. However, I've always been more of a Does he get guys out type of person. Outs win games not velocity, but that's just me. Hopefully this young man can get somewhere.

Unfortunately, Just playing high school baseball will normally not put you on a college's radar . College coaches are busy with their own teams during this time. A good traveling summer team that plays a very competitive schedule and attending showcases like PBR is almost a must if a kid is serious about playing after high school. Did this player reach out to any colleges ? Even if money is an issue, just getting to a computer and filling out college team questionnaires will get some responses.

 

Video!

Need to put together a video of himself. Starting Pitchers are a little different since they are on the mound for the better part of a game. Scouts can watch them throw. Position players will not be noticed without video as they get 3-4 attempts at the plate and a handful of attempts in the field during a 3 hour game.

Nice little video and show some stats to go with it. Including ACT and GPA.

I agree with most of what has been said here. Certainly, a 82-85 fastball with nothing to go with it will get hit hard at the next level. In this case, the kid is definitely better than that simple scenario.

 

More importantly, the.question when recruiting is....How much better can and will he develop? That is where the true skill in evaluating talent lies. Instinct, work-ethic, coachability, frame, family history, and spending time talking to the recruit.....all of that is very important in determining whether a player will succeed at a given level.

 

Smart pitchers with good stuff who know how to get people out and understand the game.....love em.

 

I will take them anytime over a thrower when it comes to winning games....at any level.

 

Throwing and pitching are two very different things.

One question is did any scouts see him?? Did he reach out to schools he was interested in?? College scouts just don't get out an attend random baseball games, simply because there isn't time during the season. Playing high level summer ball, and attending showcases is the best way to get your name out. For most high school baseball players, the first contact in the recruiting game is made by the player.

One question is did any scouts see him?? Did he reach out to schools he was interested in?? College scouts just don't get out an attend random baseball games, simply because there isn't time during the season. Playing high level summer ball, and attending showcases is the best way to get your name out. For most high school baseball players, the first contact in the recruiting game is made by the player.

 

This.

 

Also, if the kid is interested in playing at the next level, his coach can send information out for him as well.

He was seen and contacts were made. I just differ with the conclusion. The kid would have been effective and a good sign for the next level....in terms of a winning pitching staff. IMO, he had a very good shot at developing into a solid contributor to a collegiate pitching staff. He was a quality pitcher that got lost in the shuffle.