One of the most common questions families ask about recruiting is “Should the player or the parent be communicating with college coaches?”

The answer is straightforward — The player must be the one communicating. Not occasionally, not when it’s convenient, and not only after a parent drafts something first. If a coach is going to evaluate a player as a p…

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Every year, high school players send hundreds of first emails to college coaches.

Most of them never get read. Some get skimmed. A small number get replies. And an even smaller number are remembered or acted upon by the coaches. The difference often lies in how that first email is constructed.

A first email to a college coach has one job only: Start a co…

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Most families think recruiting slows down in the winter. It’s an easy mistake to make: High school seasons aren’t underway yet. Showcases feel quiet. There are fewer tweets, fewer rankings, and fewer headlines. Everything seems to slow down. Parents and players think “Nothing is really happening right now.”

After four decades in baseball and watching hun…

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For years, families believed there was a “normal” recruiting path. For the most part, the plan was simply: Play well → get seen → get recruited.

That path still exists, but the landscape around it has changed — but many recruiting plans haven’t. If your plan is built on outdated assumptions, it may be working against you, regardless of your level of tal…

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After 40+ years of coaching baseball — and helping hundreds of players move on to college programs at every level along the way — I can tell you this: getting noticed by college coaches is not about luck, politics, or hoping someone happens to see you at the right moment.

It’s about understanding the college baseball recruiting process and taking the right steps, at the right time, in the right way.

Most families struggle not because their player lacks talent, but because they don’t understand the recruiting process, and because they lack a plan to get recruited.

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Why Most Players Get Stuck

Most families fall into the same traps:

• Doing too little, too late.
  They wait until late in their senior year to reach out to schools. And when they do, they don’t have a clear reason why each school is on their list.

• Scattering their efforts.
  They bounce from showcase to showcase, email random coaches, and hope something “clicks.”

• Relying on recruiting myths and misconceptions.
  “If I’m good enough, they’ll find me.”
  “My high school stats speak for themselves.”
  “A big tournament will get me recruited.”

  “I’ve been invited to lots of camps, so I am being recruited.”

These aren’t strategies. They’re wishful thinking.

Before You Begin: A Reality Check on Level Fit

One of the biggest mistakes I see is players chasing the wrong level.

Not everyone is a fit for a Power 5 D1 program — and that’s perfectly fine.
There is excellent baseball at D2, D3, NAIA, and junior colleges.

The real question is: Where can you play, enjoy the experience, and graduate with a degree that will carry you through your career after baseball?

Ask yourself:

• How do I compare to players currently on the roster?

• Could I reasonably compete for a spot at that school?

• Am I choosing the school for the right reasons:

  • The right level and fit athletically?

  • The right school academically?

  • The right choice — distance, expense, etc. — for your family?

  • The right environment — school size, culture, etc. — for you personally?

Getting clear on fit on all of these issues prevents wasted time, money, and frustration. But keep in mind that the fit must be right athletically or none of the other options will matter.

Once you understand that one critical variable — fit — you can move on to your actual plan.

Quick Self-Evaluation: Are You Recruitable Right Now?

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Almost every year I see talented, hard-working players whose college baseball dreams get derailed by one destructive mindset — “I am only going to pursue Division I opportunities” or — worse — “I am only going to speak with Division I programs.”

It happens for a lot of reasons — players and parents get hung up on Division I because it feels like the ulti…

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So you’re headed to a showcase … now what?

Every summer, thousands of high school players spend hundreds of dollars (or more) to attend showcase events. They hope to get seen, stand out, and maybe even get an offer. But here’s the truth — Most players leave a showcase wit…

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Why the transfer portal matters more than you realize,

If you’re a high school baseball player — or the parent of one — the biggest factor shaping your recruiting odds right now might not be your batting average, your velocity, or your GPA.

It’s the transfer portal.

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I often get questions from players and parents about whether or not they need a baseball resume. What exactly IS a baseball resume? Do I need one? What should it contain?

The short answer is that a well-crafted baseball resume can increase your visibility as a prospective recruit AND serve as a great introduction to college coaches. Here’s the catch — i…

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Every college coach I know will tell you the same thing — they get a LOT of recruiting videos every year, and most of them are not worth watching. They are either too long (the most common mistake), poorly shot, or they fail to capture the key skills and athleticism coaches actually want to see.

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A typical approach

When I ask high school players about their college baseball list of target schools, they often give me one of two answers:

• “I’ll go anywhere I can play.”

• “I’m focused on D1 schools.”

The first answer simply means you do…

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Yes, grades matter.

You can have the fastest bat speed in the country, but if your grades don’t measure up, your recruiting journey can hit a dead end.

Every year, talented high school baseball players lose recruiting opportunities — not because they lack talent, but because they ignore the academic side of recruiting. If you want the widest range of opti…

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Let’s start with a fact.

College coaches don’t just evaluate players; they also evaluate parents. They watch how you behave in the stands, how you communicate, and — importantly — whether you let your player lead their own recruiting process. That’s because if there’s one parent mistake that stands out as a deal-breaker for many coaches, it is the paren…

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If you are a high school or even a middle school baseball player, you’ve probably received countless emails and other information from recruiting services promising “exposure,” access, and even college offers. And while some families find them helpful and can benefit, most players probably don’t need one if they are simply willing to be proactive.

In the…

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Some families view showcases as a golden ticket, thinking showcases are all they need to see their son realize his dream of playing college baseball. In reality, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Here are nine things about showcases that will help you and your recruiting:

1. Showcases Are Evaluations, Not Tryouts. Nobody is offering scholarships at …

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While it’s true that many college programs lock in the bulk of their recruiting classes by the end of a player's junior year, there are still plenty of opportunities for unsigned seniors. You just have to understand what’s still available and how to approach it.

The first step is to make sure you understand the Recruiting Cycle. It’s common for D1 programs to make =offers early. In fact, some top-level Division I schools have verbal commitments lined up long before a player's junior year ends. But many D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO programs continue recruiting well into the spring and even summer of senior year. These schools often have different timelines, and they may be waiting to see how their rosters shape up after transfers or draft signings.

If you’re still uncommitted as a senior, shift your focus to the right level. The key is to focus on schools that are still looking. That likely means:

• Division II programs filling final spots

• NAIA schools with rolling admissions

• Division III schools with strong academic packages

• Junior colleges (JUCOs) looking to develop players for the next level

All of these paths can lead to meaningful playing time, development, and even transfer opportunities later.

Make sure these schools fit your academic and personality needs.
You’ll spend more time being a student than playing baseball in college, so it is important that you find a school that is a good academic fit in terms of your intended major or field of studay. The school also needs to be a place where you will be confortable while being away at school — the size of the school, the type of community around it, weather, and distance from hope are just a few considerations to keep in mind.

Weekly activity (if not daily)
There are some specific things you can do as an unsigned senior:

• Be proactive with email. Email coaches with an updated skills video, transcripts, test scores, and your spring schedule. Be concise and respectful. Mention why you’re interested in their program and what you can offer. At this stage, a generic mass email won’t cut it—you need to be thoughtful and specific.

• Don’t skip summer baseball after you graduate. Whether you are signed or unsigned, skipping summer baseball can be a big mistake:

  • If you are UNSIGNED — There will always be coaches searching for unsigned seniors. They also feel the pressure of having empty roster spots at this late date, so they will pay extra attention to unsigned players.

  • if you are SIGNED — I’ve seen players take the summer off after committing, thinking they are just going to “rest up” before heading off to school. This is usually a huge mistake. After taking the summer off, they then walk into a locker room at school filled with 22-year-old men who are stronger, in better shape, and have spent the summer honing their skills against college competition. It’s been said that the first impression is the lasting impression, and this is not the impression you want to leave.

• Highlight Current Performance. For seniors, current performance matters more than ever. Coaches want to see how you’re playing right now. If you’re having a great spring, post highlights on Twitter or YouTube and send those clips directly to coaches. Let them know you’re still improving and competing at a high level.

• Consider a Gap Year or Postgrad Option. If the right opportunity doesn’t materialize, consider a postgrad year or attending a junior college. These routes give players a chance to continue developing, compete right away, and re-enter the recruiting pool with more experience and maturity. Many successful D1 and professional players took this route.

• Stay Positive and Realistic. It’s easy to feel discouraged when classmates are committing and you’re still searching. But remember—everyone’s path is different. There are dozens of college rosters built every year with late signees and overlooked players who kept working and stayed focused.

Final Thought. Is it too late? No. But time is tight, and the margin for error is smaller. If you’re a senior who still wants to play at the next level, focus your energy on schools that are still actively recruiting, get your materials in order, and keep improving every day. Late bloomers and determined players find homes every year—it just takes effort, clarity, and persistence.

Thanks for reading Baseball Recruiting Insider!
If you like this content and you’d like to receive weekly posts about college baseball recruiting and how you can maximize your opportunities to get recruited, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and other content about college baseball recruiting.

After 40+ years of coaching, I’ve seen some very talented players miss out on great recruiting opportunities — not because of their ability, but because of avoidable mistakes made during their recruitment. Here are seven of the most common mistakes parents make and how you can steer clear of them.

1. Focusing Only on D1 Schools. Everyone wants the big D1…

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By 11th grade, many top programs already have their core targets identified—or even committed. If you're a serious player, you need to start early. The good news? You don’t need to be throwing 90 mph or hitting bombs in 9th grade to get noticed. You just need a smart plan and the right habits.

It’s not too early

If you’re in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade — or y…

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Over more than four decades of coaching baseball players, I’ve had countless conversations with college coaches about athletes, prospective recruits, what they want for their programs, the athletes who succeed, etc. They are looking for athleticism and baseball skills, of course. But they are also looking for some things that might surprise you — things that often separate those who get recruited from those who don’t.

Coaches aren’t always just looking for velo, power, speed, or glove skills. Here are nine additional things most coaches will consider before they decide to add you to their roster:

1. Projectability. Coaches aren’t just looking at who you are today—they’re imagining who you could be two years from now. Are you still growing? Do you have room to get stronger? How does your frame project? A 5'10", 150-pound sophomore with good movement patterns and solid mechanics might be more exciting to a coach than a filled-out senior with no upside.

2. Makeup and Maturity. Are you coachable? Do you respond well to failure? Do you compete? Coaches are investing in more than just skill—they're investing in a teammate. Body language, communication, and attitude go a long way in separating two equally talented players.

3. How will you represent their program? Coaches are very concerned about the type of players they put on their roster because each player is a reflection of the team, the coaches, and the university. If you are a high school player who can’t stay out of trouble in high school while you are living at home with your parents, what kind of person will you be when you are away from home and parental supervision? For that reason, many coaches will ask questions about character as often as they do about skills.

4. Skill Development Over Time. Coaches don’t expect you to be a finished product. But they do want to see growth. Are your numbers improving? Are you adding tools each season? Players who get better year-over-year are the ones who thrive in college programs.

5. Academic Fit. If you’re not academically eligible or competitive, a coach may not be able to recruit you—even if he loves your game. Keep your grades strong, and take the SAT/ACT seriously. Even if the NCAA relaxes standards, every school has specific standards for admission, and your grades can decide not only if you get a scholarship, but — at least in divisions other than D1 — for how much. Good grades serve another recruiting purpose as well — coaches know that good grades are typically the result of discipline and hard work, and those are two traits that all successful college athletes have in common.

6. Are you a teammate? There’s an old saying that says “One bad apple can ruin the barrel.” Coaches know that the chemistry in a locker room or dugout can have the same effect, so coaches are very careful to avoid, no matter how talented, a personality that will undermine the chemistry of the team. Baseball is a team sport, and coaches want players with a team-first mentality.

7. Discipline and work ethic. Are you first to practice, or are you consistently late? Do you work on your own to improve your skills? Do you actively work at getting better, faster, stronger? And remember — work ethic isn’t always just about practice. Coaches know that players with good bodies have a work ethic because they had to put in the work to be strong and fit. Also, good grades are an indicator of a strong work ethic, because good grades take work.

8. Communication skills. This is overlooked but critical. Coaches want players who can write a thoughtful email, return a phone call, and carry a respectful conversation. That doesn't mean you need to be polished like a job interview—but being genuine, articulate, and respectful matters.

9. Character. A coach once told me that he always checks a potential recruit’s social media presence because social media “will give me a clear look at his character.” As a player, you should remember that coaches will look at your social media before making an offer to you. Posts about racism, sexism, hate speech or negative comments about pretty much anyone will get you taken off recruiting lists. And you don’t have to write something like this to fall out of favor with a coach or school. Reposting or liking those types of posts will accomplish the same thing. And one more thing to remember about social media is this — it does not go away. Once posted, your opinions and comments — good, bad, or awful — live on forever.

Wrap-Up: Remember: One of the best things you can do as a recruit is to show a clear upward trajectory—athletically, academically, and personally. Be the kind of player, and the kind of person, a coach wants in the dugout for four years, not just someone who looks good at a showcase.

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Thanks for reading Baseball Recruiting Insider!
If you like this content and you’d like to receive weekly posts about college baseball recruiting and how you can maximize your opportunities to get recruited, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and other content about college baseball recruiting.

Subscribe now

After decades of coaching and helping families navigate the recruiting journey, I’ve found that some of the same basic questions come up again and again, usually from the parents. These are smart, caring, parents trying to help their son(s) in any way possible, but they’re often trying to figure out a process that feels secretive and confusing. So if yo…

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