It's official! My son (LHP) signed the NLI last Friday to play baseball for the University of Alabama. Thanks to each of you for some tremendous advise during the recruiting process. Now you have to put up with me asking about college vs pro, since he has recently been contacted by several pro scouts asking about his willingness to sign if drafted. It is a nice reward for all his hard work but WOW, is this nerve wrecking?
Seems now I am telling him more and more to take it one day at a time and just enjoy the moment. Good advise for mom and dad also. Gee, am I going to miss him!!

How exciting for all of you! Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Very nice news!!!

That is GREAT news ! I'm sure it has the nerve endings working to full capacity. With the help of the great cast on this board I'm sure your family will come thru it with flying colors. Congratulations again.

Congratulations and, ROLL TIDE.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Clint,

If your son is who I think he is...

The first time we saw him he was 13-14 maybe? listed as 5-7/130 and topping out at 73 mph.

No one ever sees the actual scout notes in our database but some of those on your son are very interesting and I hope you don't mind me sharing them. I didn't include the actual event or date, just the year.

2005 - Lanky body, decent CB, small soft throwing lefty, decent run on FB, strike thrower, smooth arm action. 70-73 FB. Worth following.

2006 - lean/athletic LHP-3/4/long and loose AA/clean AA/good ASR/some effort/online/balanced/solid mechanics/1-7/good run FB/downward plane/moves FB around/keeps FB down/late life FB/live arm/CH has sink and fade/good AS CH/deceptive lefty/very good game outing/84 mph lefty/interesting follow.

2006 - Very nice delivery, good deception, shows three quality pitches, good poise on mound, has a great feel, mid 80s, looks like there is more there, has a chance to be very good. Need to follow.

2007 - tall, slender, long arms, good aspd, long loose aa, brings arm way back, throws very well, med effort, excellent command, three pitch guy, good velocity with ASR, definite DI potential. 85-88 and still room to get stronger. Projects large.

2008 - Good velo, good life, downhill plane, outstanding mound presence, knows what he is doing, pretty good mechanics, would like to see more of him. He is good.

2008 - 3/4, deceptive delivery, hides ball well, good natural mvmnt, uses breaking ball as out pitches, nice CH, consistent velo around 88 and it looks easy. Probably could throw harder if needed, good command of all pitches, fairly dominant for 3 innings. Excellent DI guy. Possible draft interest.

The above reports span nearly 4 years. The notes included several other things that did not pertain to pitching. It's interesting to look at this stuff.

Clint,

Congratulations

If somehow this is not your son I apologize, but it is still interesting.

Congratulations! Now he can just concentrate on having a great senior year!

Clint,

It's great to hear the good news about your son, Congrats to him! And I think you summed up the experience for many parents in your post:

"...but WOW, is this nerve wrecking?
Seems now I am telling him more and more to take it one day at a time and just enjoy the moment. Good advise for mom and dad also. Gee, am I going to miss him!!"


Congratulations!

Julie

WOW! PGStaff sounds exactly like my son. Thank you so much for posting this info. It was not only right on, it brought back so many memories.
Bless you!

Congratulations to the Taylor family.



Clint, there are plenty of threads regarding college or pro, but feel free to restart the conversation. I think the common thread in all of them is to be honest with the scouts about what it will take to convince your son to forgo attending 'Bama.

There is also a wide diversity of opinions whether going pro out of high school is worth missing the college experience, which includes life outside of the classroom. You will find compelling arguments for both sides. As with most things, it boils down to an individual decision for your son and family.

Best wishes!

Clint, congrats to your son! That is wonderful news!