footmaster

And you were told the truth....

Cool... Thanks raiderbird

Anyone know where some of these 2016's will play select ball next year? Easy to lose track of these guys.... For example: I've heard Evan Slone is joining the 18u Bluegrass Chiefs and I've heard Ricky Raisor is joining Midland.... Is that accurate? Any other players changing clubs?

Well, looks like I got the October part right then...

Still thinking Oct. 29th...

Both good players, but Raisor is a 2016...

Maybe they meant to say October 29th....

True... And Coach Baioni is doing a great job promoting kids too.

Maybe we'll find out tomorrow... Or the next day... Or the next day... Or not.

Going back to all of the kids we've discussed on this thread though... I think there's no doubt that every one of them (if they choose to) will play college baseball at some level. As far as pro ball... It wouldn't shock me if a few of them get there.... And on the other hand, it wouldn't totally shock me if none of them got there. It's like playing the lottery in a sense... Bad decisions, bad luck, injuries, etc. can all derail a kids path to MLB. But college ball... With all the options, I think every kid in this thread can get there. Frankly, I'm proud of all the talent in our region right now... Lots of good, young talent. And for the most part, I know most of these kids to be good students and citizens as well.

Yeah, I believe he played at Covcath... Good player.

This has been my point all along... It's such a case by case basis. I know 4 people that have made it into pro baseball. 1 played D2 and went undrafted. He ended up at the MLB major league level for 9 seasons. Another guy played D1 and was drafted in the 14th round after his JR year. He made it to MLB for 3 seasons, but only played in about 30 games at the major league level. The other 2 guys played 4 years of D1 baseball, one drafted in 3rd round and the other in the 6th round. They've both been in the minors for 4 seasons... Still have not even made it to AA minor league level yet. So, similar to how you all have pointed out that it's a tough decision whether to go into pro ball out of high school or go to college.... I think it can be a tough decision whether to choose a D1 offer over another level. If you won't play as much at D1, the NAIA kid that plays every day might pass you up. I think that could partially explain why the Red Sox kid draft status dropped. He simply just might not have gotten a lot of playing time when he went D1. That could definitely hurt your chances of development. Again, it's a case by case basis though. And that's why it's confusing.

Btw, to avoid any confusion... I don't disagree with rjs4470... Just expanding upon the idea as to why D1 player does not always equal better player. Again, baseball has much more of a grey area in college as compared to football or basketball.... Although you will find many JUCO talents reach great heights in those sports as well.

All true... But also, JUCO players that went that route for a faster shot at MLB can and will go on to play D1, D2, D3 or NAIA if they go undrafted from their JUCO school. So again, that's what I love about baseball. It's not black and white, cut and dry. A lot of the D1 drafted players you speak of originally started out as JUCO players. They take a shot at being drafted sooner and then transfer if it doesn't work out. Fact is, many JUCO programs are practically on speed dial for D1 coaches.... Some D1 coaches will recommend a kid play at a certain JUCO to get their grades in order and then join their D1 program after they've done so. It's not like MLB hears about a great D3 prospect and dismisses it because the school is small or plays against some poor competition. If you're good, word will get around and you'll be scouted. Fact is, your odds of making an MLB roster are not better being a D1 or not being one. The fact that D1 players are usually 20+ yrs old when drafted certainly helps the odds. And a 1st round pick will get more opportunities in the minors than a 14th round pick. But if the 14th round guy takes advantage of his fewer chances and outperforms higher draft picks... He can make it! Harder to do for sure, but I know people who've done it.

The "best" high school players are drafted right out of high school.... And many of the "best" that aren't drafted will choose JUCO over D1 because it's a faster route to the MLB.... As others have pointed out, D1 players must wait until after their JR year to enter the draft. And alot of those who do go the D1 route will not even get on the field for a year or two.... Another reason why D2, D3 and NAIA schools end up with some really good players. Some kids just don't wanna wait behind upper classmen to get playing time.

Haven't heard on Slusher yet.... But I think he's smart to take his time. Research any schools that are offering and make sure it's a good fit. Plus, he can use a school's interest as leverage when talking coaches from other schools about their offers. No need to rush, that's for sure.

Well said Baseballinmyblood. That's what I meant by saying D3 schools tend to "find" more academic money for kids. Even though D3 schools do not have athletic scholarships... In many cases, the bottom line offer actually is a better deal than many D1 offers. That's all I was saying. I know of several guys that turned down a D1 school that had lower tuition, but a 25% athletic scholarship left them owing more money than a more expensive D3 school... Because, as you said, the D3 school had offered a lot more help in grant monies.

Okay, well... I had a cousin that coached at 4 different D1 programs for years and an Uncle that coached at D3 programs... I know it's true...

So, to further clarify... Many kids choose a D3 baseball program that covers most, if not all, of their tuition through academic scholarships...... Versus a D1 school that is splitting 11.7 scholarships among their entire roster. D1's will usually do their best to throw in academic as well... But D3 schools historically "find" academic scholarship opportunities more easily.

D3 gets zero athletic scholarships... They have tons of academic scholarships available for baseball players... And academic scholarships are by far the most important for baseball players at every level of college baseball.... Because it is very rare for any player to receive even a 50% athletic baseball scholarship.

Not gonna look good if the decision was made and they pretty much told a candidate they had the job... Then said, wait a minute... Another guy that we like has thrown his name in the ring. Very dysfunctional scenario if it's truly what is going on.

Maybe they're getting Pete Rose...

Very well thought out...and this quote in particular speaks to the heart of what I've been saying. This is especially true of college baseball: the competitive balance at each level is all over the map. Sure UK and Louisville would beat the snot out of Thomas More (D3) and Georgetown College (NAIA).... But would NKU or Morehead State dominate Georgetown College? I'm not so sure. So again, if I were a kid coming out of High School... I'd rather play right away at Georgetown than sit a year or two at a D1 school... Unless, as Malibu pointed out... The D1 school ended up being more affordable and/or better academically for my major. It's a tough decision, but I just caution a kid to choose D1 because of "status" or ego reasons. Make sure it is the best fit academically, financially and athletically. And that's really tough to figure out sometimes.

Definitely true... In our region, D3 schools tend to cost more...sometimes 3x more than a lot of D1 schools. Basically, we're all in agreement on this: players all need to follow the path that's best for them. I just feel like some people have the impression if they don't play D1, they're somehow less successful. Baseball is a game of failure...but if you get to play college ball, at any level, you're a winner in my book.

Totally agree with you... Many JUCO programs can compete with and even handily beat many D1 programs... And it has changed. D1 is not allowed to have Junior Varsity programs, they are allowed to play 56 varsity games...and that's it.