Posted in Premium Forum, but they are all consumed with the Baylor demise and downfall. Maybe someone here can answer.
I was injured in college, so coaching baseball became a passion once I got over not playing anymore. I love kids, so I help coach several premier teams (infielders and hitting). I mainly stay at the younger age levels. 14u being as high as I have coached. As the kids get into HS age, they often go on to play with different teams.
I do, however, watch a lot of high school baseball in the area (Houston and surrounding) and have a pretty good eye for talent and am right about 90% of the time when I see a kid that is "next level" good. Next level being Div 1 or Pro-draft. I do work with some HS kids one on one, but it is usually just kids that played for me when younger and I am just helping tweak something or give them some extra reps. I DO NOT deal with any recruiting or showcase teams.
So, I was asked to look at a kid this year by his dad. His parents knew I went to A&M and the kid loves A&M.
Some info:
5'11", 172lbs, bats left, throws/fields right (Was only 5'5" and 140lbs as junior)
Plays 3rd, SS, or 2nd - Arm above average - speed above average
Leads District in Batting 5A District - .464 avg - ONE strikeout all season. Kid has a sweet stroke. Power to get to the gap, but only one HR.
Academically he is 8th in his HS class
So, I went and watched 4 district games (2 home and 1 away) and was EXTREMELY impressed. I have since watched 4 playoff games. They are in Regional Semi-final right now so may catch more. Although, I may go see Deer Park instead.
The kid is LEGIT D1 talent now. He was clearly a late bloomer as he was small until senior year and he is blowing up. He did not play on a showcase team last summer and just filled in on a summer team coached by Deer Park's coach, Chris Rupp. He was not on any radar junior year due to size. It is my only explanation I can come up with. Entire family is athletic. Sister has a full ride gymnastics scholarship to an SEC school.
Anyway, he is accepted and going to A&M and I was asked if I had any contacts in the coaching ranks at A&M because he wants to continue to play ball at A&M as a walk-on if possible. He is in love with A&M and wants to go to school in College Station no matter what. This kid already has his tuition paid for and although any scholarship would be a blessing, he does not even require one. This kid is about as good as you can get on and off the field. Perfect teammate. Coaches dream in my opinion.
So, I do some research and fire off an email to an A&M coach (no name). The coach was very nice and responded. He thanked me for the information but said they already signed all the infielders they wanted and were maybe going to add a pitcher and JUCO infielder. He said they were going to take a look at the kid, but he would suggest the JUCO route and look to sign next year or two if he plays well. He acknowledged that "late bloomers" do get overlooked sometimes and he said they would check the kid out just in case they really missed something.
Since my conversation, this kid has gotten better with each game. He has colleges out to watch and I was told he could go to Arkansas if he wanted. He DOES NOT desire to go JUCO, because he has over 45 hours college credit due to dual credit and AP classes. A&M never followed up. I am sure it is low on the priority list and I get it.
So, he says he is set on going to A&M and it is best for his long term future. He really is a smart kid and he understands what comes with a degree from A&M. He said he would play as a walk-on, but there has been no contact since my email to the coach at A&M.
I also just found out this kid is being selected to play a HS all-star game that almost all of the Houston area A&M players played in. Lots of D1 and PRO talent.
So, those on here with knowledge of college rules and recruiting: Is this common for kids that are this good and offer to play as a walk-on to be turned down and not even looked at? Is it due to roster limits? That is the only explanation I can see being valid with this kid and why A&M would not be jumping up and down to take him. Maybe we have to save spots for pitchers. I was told we are holding a spot for a possible JUCO infielder. I can state with pretty high confidence after researching our signed incoming players from HS (even watched video), that he would be one of the better infield signees if he were signed. Very near the top and with the kind of character kid he is, would be dream to have. He would be 100% in if a coach called and asked him to be a preferred walk-on since his tuition is paid already anyway. Is this common? Trying to decide if I should tell him to give 1 year of JUCO a shot (not sure he would) or if I should advise him to just go to A&M, seek and notify the coach I spoke to that he is going to A&M and deciding against JUCO or other offers, and hope the situation changes and he gets a call.
So, if anyone can enlighten me on roster limits, signing limits, or anything else relevant, I would appreciate it. I want to give his parents and he all the information and opinion I can.
Thanks in advance you college baseball guys.
I was injured in college, so coaching baseball became a passion once I got over not playing anymore. I love kids, so I help coach several premier teams (infielders and hitting). I mainly stay at the younger age levels. 14u being as high as I have coached. As the kids get into HS age, they often go on to play with different teams.
I do, however, watch a lot of high school baseball in the area (Houston and surrounding) and have a pretty good eye for talent and am right about 90% of the time when I see a kid that is "next level" good. Next level being Div 1 or Pro-draft. I do work with some HS kids one on one, but it is usually just kids that played for me when younger and I am just helping tweak something or give them some extra reps. I DO NOT deal with any recruiting or showcase teams.
So, I was asked to look at a kid this year by his dad. His parents knew I went to A&M and the kid loves A&M.
Some info:
5'11", 172lbs, bats left, throws/fields right (Was only 5'5" and 140lbs as junior)
Plays 3rd, SS, or 2nd - Arm above average - speed above average
Leads District in Batting 5A District - .464 avg - ONE strikeout all season. Kid has a sweet stroke. Power to get to the gap, but only one HR.
Academically he is 8th in his HS class
So, I went and watched 4 district games (2 home and 1 away) and was EXTREMELY impressed. I have since watched 4 playoff games. They are in Regional Semi-final right now so may catch more. Although, I may go see Deer Park instead.
The kid is LEGIT D1 talent now. He was clearly a late bloomer as he was small until senior year and he is blowing up. He did not play on a showcase team last summer and just filled in on a summer team coached by Deer Park's coach, Chris Rupp. He was not on any radar junior year due to size. It is my only explanation I can come up with. Entire family is athletic. Sister has a full ride gymnastics scholarship to an SEC school.
Anyway, he is accepted and going to A&M and I was asked if I had any contacts in the coaching ranks at A&M because he wants to continue to play ball at A&M as a walk-on if possible. He is in love with A&M and wants to go to school in College Station no matter what. This kid already has his tuition paid for and although any scholarship would be a blessing, he does not even require one. This kid is about as good as you can get on and off the field. Perfect teammate. Coaches dream in my opinion.
So, I do some research and fire off an email to an A&M coach (no name). The coach was very nice and responded. He thanked me for the information but said they already signed all the infielders they wanted and were maybe going to add a pitcher and JUCO infielder. He said they were going to take a look at the kid, but he would suggest the JUCO route and look to sign next year or two if he plays well. He acknowledged that "late bloomers" do get overlooked sometimes and he said they would check the kid out just in case they really missed something.
Since my conversation, this kid has gotten better with each game. He has colleges out to watch and I was told he could go to Arkansas if he wanted. He DOES NOT desire to go JUCO, because he has over 45 hours college credit due to dual credit and AP classes. A&M never followed up. I am sure it is low on the priority list and I get it.
So, he says he is set on going to A&M and it is best for his long term future. He really is a smart kid and he understands what comes with a degree from A&M. He said he would play as a walk-on, but there has been no contact since my email to the coach at A&M.
I also just found out this kid is being selected to play a HS all-star game that almost all of the Houston area A&M players played in. Lots of D1 and PRO talent.
So, those on here with knowledge of college rules and recruiting: Is this common for kids that are this good and offer to play as a walk-on to be turned down and not even looked at? Is it due to roster limits? That is the only explanation I can see being valid with this kid and why A&M would not be jumping up and down to take him. Maybe we have to save spots for pitchers. I was told we are holding a spot for a possible JUCO infielder. I can state with pretty high confidence after researching our signed incoming players from HS (even watched video), that he would be one of the better infield signees if he were signed. Very near the top and with the kind of character kid he is, would be dream to have. He would be 100% in if a coach called and asked him to be a preferred walk-on since his tuition is paid already anyway. Is this common? Trying to decide if I should tell him to give 1 year of JUCO a shot (not sure he would) or if I should advise him to just go to A&M, seek and notify the coach I spoke to that he is going to A&M and deciding against JUCO or other offers, and hope the situation changes and he gets a call.
So, if anyone can enlighten me on roster limits, signing limits, or anything else relevant, I would appreciate it. I want to give his parents and he all the information and opinion I can.
Thanks in advance you college baseball guys.