2024 baseball guys:
Not gonna lie, this is a weird time for you all. D1s can talk to you now but some of you might not be at that level quite yet.
D2/D3/NAIA programs are mostly not ready to hear from you yet.
If things aren't popping yet, stay patient and keep working!
Most recruits only hear back from about 25% of schools they reach out to. You won't hear from everyone!
If you've reached out to less than 10 schools and don't have responses, stop pouting and expand on your list! There are 1800+ college baseball programs. Gotta have thick skin.
The goal of the recruiting process is not to gather the most offers. The goal is to find the right fit for your college experience!
It only takes one offer to have a successful recruiting process. And getting 50 offers doesn't guarantee you'll pick the right place for you.
Some average HS dude: "I'm better than DIII."
Turns on Rays-Royals game: "Tonight's Rays starter is Josh Fleming, a 5th round pick out of
@WebsterBaseball
."
#d3b
Our new addition is here!
Lucille Mae Drake, born 9/2/23 at 2:46 am
She is an
#uncommitted
2042 Grad, 8lbs 13.5oz, 22.25 in, 94th percentile so very projectible
Doctor and Nurse references verify she is "strong", "healthy", and "sweet"
Highlight and skill videos to come
If you aren't hearing from D1s/D2s and your idea of "opening up" is to reach out to Top 10 ranked D3s/NAIAs/JUCOs, your experience probably won't change.
Reach out to the ones in your area! Follow up with the ones who did reach out that you ignored! Be truly open!
Think
@ncsa
doesn't work? I have a 5'8"/2019/LHP/76 velo, been on for 35 days, four Coaching Sessions with me, already talked to a coach on the phone, 3 others that want him to visit - Be proactive, target the right schools, good things will happen!
@NCSA_Baseball
- 299 DI Baseball programs
- 8-12 guys per class
- About 3000 spots for the 2023 class
- 1711 commits for 2023 according to Perfect Game
- Transfer portal filling up
Over 1/2 of DI roster spots are spoken for. If you haven't spoken to a DI coach yet, it's time to open it up!
When I was a JR in HS, I only had two varsity at bats. I thought maybe I should just hang up my cleats.
Fast forward two years later, a week into my freshman year of college, I was starting in the outfield.
Never let your current situation affect the pursuit of your goals!
Be the Teammate that:
- Shares teammates' posts and gives them props even if you had a bad game
- Recommends teammates to college coaches that are recruiting you
- Never points fingers even if someone else messed up worse than you
You are never wrong if you think of others 1st!
If your motivations for playing baseball are accolades, scholarships, recruiting rankings, or offers from the "right" schools, you'll likely be in a constant state of frustration and anxiety!
If you don't love playing just to play, you probably won't achieve those things anyway.
🚨 Attention
@NCSA_Baseball
Elite Members 🚨
I am taking on a new role as Digital Baseball Recruiting Coach, so check out this quick video on how we are investing even more in your experience with
@ncsa
!
Also, give me a follow on Instagram (coachdrakencsa)
More to come soon...
I did some quick math: On opening weekend, there are exactly 300 pitchers listed on SEC rosters. Here is their breakdown by height:
6'10": 1
6'8": 5
6'7": 4
6'6": 17
6'5": 22
6'4": 54
6'3": 55
6'2": 48
6'1": 41
6'0": 30
5'11": 13
5'10": 8
5'9": 2
That's the tweet....
Today marks my 6 year anniversary working as a Baseball Recruiting Coach for
@ncsa
! I've met some amazing people along the way and am looking forward to a great 2020.
@NCSA_Baseball
If you're reaching out to coaches and not hearing back, ask yourself:
Am I the kind of player they're looking for? Do I have the academics, metrics, and background they're looking for?
If you aren't sure, do research! Honest self reflection is tough. You have to show, not tell!
I think most people know this, but it needs to be said:
Your top fastball is not how hard you throw with a running start, eyes closed, chucking into a net.
Your top fastball is how hard you throw from a windup, on the mound, somewhere within the vicinity of the strike zone.
One of my guys was ranked the
#1
player at his position in his state in 9th grade by both PBR and Perfect Game.
He is now a senior, still ranked a top 10 player in his state on both sites - still uncommitted.
Rankings might make you feel good but they don't get you recruited.
Was on the phone with one of my 2020 grads earlier, and he had to step out to take a call from a coach! Was hurt all winter, just posted 1st video last week, we promoted him to NAIA and JUCO programs, and his phone is blowing up. There is still time...no excuses!
@NCSA_Baseball
I've seen D3 All-Region guys transfer to D1s and not see the field.
I've seen D1 guys transfer to NAIAs and have a 6.00 ERA.
Transferring might seem easy, but make sure you think through your reasons. Sometimes the grass is greener, but weeds grow everywhere.
As a 2nd year HS umpire, I have figured out that if both sides seem slightly annoyed by some calls but nobody has completely blown up, then you have probably had a pretty good day!
Every college coach will invite you to their camp. A camp invite by itself does not mean interest. If it is a camp email, assume 10,000 other recruits got it and take the conversation away from the camp!
I've basically been running a 5K or more on the treadmill every day since November, so I registered for the Cleveland Indians Virtual
#Tribe5K
! Had to turn on some Indians highlights while running this morning. 3.2 miles in 36:00 minutes!
No HS coach, club coach, or recruiting service will be solely responsible for "getting you recruited".
We can help you maximize your ability, provide proper guidance and focus, and help with exposure, but it is your skill, dedication, and proactive outreach that makes it happen.
I was talking with a mid level DI program last week and asked if they had any 2022, 2023, or 2024 or beyond needs. They said they are focused on transfer portal and grad transfers at the moment.
No matter what grad year you are, it's time to get familiar with all levels!
Working with a female who wants to play college baseball. She knows the challenges, and we've talked about the softball options. I reached out to some baseball coaches asking for feedback, and 4 took time to send her an honest assessment. Always appreciate the coaching community!
I understand the frustration of not having interest from schools you were hoping for, but if you're a senior and your only interest is from schools you consider "low level", then that is probably telling you something. If you want to play, those are your options.
Alex Rodriguez played 22 seasons and had 17 career sac bunts including playoffs - not a single sac bunt in his final 15 seasons - but please keep telling me about how they are so important to winning games.
I hear recruits/families say, "I want to go somewhere that I will be challenged."
Many times that line is used in response to considering D3/NAIA/JUCO programs.
No matter how good you think you are, 95% of you will be challenged on any college roster. There are no easy places!
Today marks my 5 year work anniversary with
@ncsa
and
@NCSA_Baseball
! Spending it in the office talking to some great families on the first Sunday of 2019. Time really does go by fast. Here's to a great start to Year 6!
"My son will definitely play DI somewhere"
Even if it seems realistic, it's a bad look to say it. Most of the time, this is meant to say that anything that isn't DI would be a failure.
Do
@chazzyfizzz
and
@xhunterbrownx
look like failures with their WS rings?
Came in today to find out the father of one of my guys passed away unexpectedly and the mother of one of my guys was in surgery today for a brain tumor.
Recruiting is important but remember to enjoy every moment! Cherish your loved ones and take nothing in life for granted!
Don't tell coaches you throw 87. Show them! No coach is just gonna take your word. Send them the showcase link. Send them the camp eval. Send them the video with the radar gun showing.
If you can't do any of those things, they will assume you are making it up.
Many guys I work with will initially set their Preferences for minimum school enrollment at 10,000 or 15,000, thinking that only big schools are good at baseball.
So I guess Duke (6500 students), Vanderbilt (7000 students), and Notre Dame (8500 students) are too small for you?
2021 Grads:
DI coaches have been able to call/text/email you for 4 months. Have any called you? Invited you on a visit?
Camp invites/questionnaires don't count!
If those things aren't happening, it's not too late, but it's time to open your options! Don't fall behind waiting.
For those looking at the JC route, your mentality should not be, "I need to find a JC that will get me to a DI"; your mentality should be "I need to find a JC that will give me the best chance to play". Go prove you're a DI guy! They'll find you no matter where you go.
#jucoroute
If your coach or trainer tells you that you will "definitely play DI", they are doing you a disservice. You should have big goals, but do you or your trainer really know what DI programs look for? Don't allow others to create in you a tunnel vision that disregards other levels!
Frankie Lindor was 0-6 tonight, his team was up 10-3 with 2 outs in the 9th, and he does this to end the game...
No pouting or cashing it in before the finish. Play all 27!
Lots of recruits say, "I'm not hearing from any schools" when what they really mean is "I'm not hearing from the schools I want to hear from".
The sooner you figure out that your focus should be on the schools you are hearing from, the closer you will be to finding the best fit!
I spoiled myself this Christmas...got myself a stitched up left Achilles tendon! If
@KDTrey5
can make it back to an elite level, I can get back to my weekend warrior status for sure!
I don't care how hard you throw, eventually you either get outs or your don't. If you've pitched 30+ innings and your ERA is over 9.00, coaches won't care about your reasons or excuses...87-90 velo only gets you so far. Take accountability and make better pitches!
I know that high school baseball can be tough to sometimes (bad coaches, politics, favoritism), but college coaches are going to ask you about it. If you choose not to play, you better be prepared to tell him why and understand that it will be a red flag you'll need to overcome.
If you're wondering why you aren't hearing back from D1 coaches, you have to step back and ask yourself: How many D2 offers do you have? If your answer is zero, well, start working on those. Sometimes you gotta build up to those conversations!
If you are a 9th grader or younger with little video, no metrics, and still growing physically, don't pout and get discouraged when a 3rd party tells you that you aren't a definite DI prospect yet!
You haven't even played your first HS baseball game. Get to work and go prove it!
If you're a 2023 Grad, there is definitely still time to find opportunities with DI programs.
However;
If you don't currently have any DI offers or very serious conversations going, you ain't too big time for the other guys. Don't act like it!
I worked with a RHP who was 6'4", sat 84-86 and could touch 87-88. He redshirted at a mid-level D2 in MO his freshman year and then transferred to a D2 National Championship contender in FL and pitched two years on their JV team.
It's not as easy as you might think...
If you tell college coaches you throw 85 and your online info from showcases show 82-83, maybe you're stretching but it's realistic.
If you tell them you throw 85, and not 1 but 2 showcases online show 72-74, that's a problem. And don't ever say the guns were off. They weren't.
If you throw in the 78-82 range right now, don't tell a college coach you plan to be 90+ next spring. You'll sound delusional. Just tell where you are currently and let your video do the talking.
It's good to have goals, but coaches aren't impressed by what you haven't done yet.
If coaches are interested in you and still recruiting your position, they will respond!
If you're a '21 or '22 and you've reached out 3-4 times with no personal response or interest, they are either done recruiting or have others higher on the list.
Might be time to move on!
One of my guys with a 4.1 GPA/35 ACT did not get into Caltech even with the coach supporting his app.
Another applied ED to UChicago with a 4.43 GPA/1460 SAT, mom was a UChicago grad, and did not get admitted.
There are no sure things. Make sure you have back up options!
When you are telling coaches about yourself, don't say things like "I'm the hardest worker" or "I outwork everyone". It's not something you can prove and likely isn't true! Tell coaches you are trying to get better everyday. You'll find out what hard work really looks like soon!
Good news, 2020 baseball guys! DI coaches can now contact you personally by phone, email, text. They can also offer you official visits.
If you want to know where you stand or find out if they are still recruiting, ask them! They no longer have any restrictions.
Humility is an excellent character trait, but you need to step out of your comfort zone to market yourself.
Did you make varsity as a sophomore?
Were you named All-Conf/Region/State?
Don't assume coaches will find out - TELL THEM!
It's not bragging if you tell the truth!
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” RW Emerson
Today's Wikipedia Fact of the Day:
@GeorgeSpringer
"played on the varsity baseball team as a freshman despite standing 5 feet 2 inches and weighing 100 pounds"
Two thoughts:
1) Don't let anyone tell you you're too small
2) You still have a lot of time to develop
⚾️
@NCSA_Baseball
members⚾️
Did you know the NCAA DI/DII Signing Period starts next week? I am running a workshop TONIGHT @ 9:00E/8:00C/7:00M/6:00P with
@POMalley_NCSA
to go over what it is and what it means for your timeline!
Click here to register:
Spring HS season advice:
Don't overreact about playing time in the first few scrimmages/games. If you aren't playing as much, keep working hard. Coaches are still feeling out their rosters!
A lot can change early on...no need to schedule that meeting with the coach yet!
2024 Grads: While you should still be working to get better, it is no longer "projection" time in the eyes of most college coaches. If the dream schools haven't replied yet, it is time to home in on schools that fit your current ability level as well!
I am out of the office starting today until January 4th. I won't be checking any messages for work, but who are we kidding, I'll probably scroll Twitter once in awhile! Hit me up here if there are any questions.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
If you've been to two DII programs, haven't played at either place, and have two years left, you shouldn't be asking about transferring to a DI or eligibility for the draft. That makes no sense! Get on the field where you are or try DIII/NAIA. Gotta balance dreams with reality...
There is a big difference between "I don't have any interest" and "I don't have interest from my top choices"
Don't get those confused!
I wanted to play at Ohio State, but I had to figure out...was it more important to be a Buckeye or more important to play college baseball?
I once pitched and lost a 1-0 Legion game against a future MLB guy. I also had our only hit against him.
That doesn't mean our talent level was the same.
If you can play in college, you can compete against anyone. But you are who you are, not who you play with or against!
Attn all
@NCSA_Baseball
and
@ncsa
athletes: Tomorrow at noon CST, I will be interviewing former MLB reliever and 2008 WS winner
@JCRome16
for our
#LearnFromThePros
series! Go to your NCSA University page and sign up now! You won't want to miss it.
New 2022 grad from Puerto Rico. Had some high academic schools on his Favorites. Told me his father talked about importance of education and that his father passed away 1 year ago today. Wants to honor him and be 1st in family to attend college in the US.
#mywhy
@NCSA_Baseball
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."
-Rogers Hornsby
So long, 2021 baseball season. It was another great run!
Back in September, I realized I need to be healthier. I was at 237, WAY above any weight from my younger years.
I cut out pop, bought myself a
@SoleTreadmills
, and started grinding. I'm already down to 218.1.
It's never too late to set goals and get to work!
#FridayMotivation
There are only two current MLB players that are older than me, and only by a few months - Albert Pujols and Rich Hill. The 3rd oldest, Nelson Cruz, is only 3 days younger than me.
I guess it's time for me to officially announce my retirement 😄 It's been a wild ride!
Got my 2-Year Old niece her first T-Ball set for her birthday. Getting the hang of it but need to get the
@blastmotion
out to start getting some metrics.
#launchangle