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When reading player bios on MLB.com I noticed that most of the top college players from schools like Arizona State, Texas, LSU, Miami, UCLA, Stamford, UNC, Georgia Tech, U Florida, etc. never make it to the major leagues yet are amazing players in college that face the best of the best college pitchers and hitters. Some of course do make it to the show, but it seems like they are produce average to below average statistics in the pros.

It seems like guys from small junior colleges in California, Texas, Florida, etc. and players drafted straight out of high school become the stars in the major leagues.

How were these guys that make it to the majors from high school and small colleges not recruited to top D1 schools and/or overlooked during their high school and legion ball playing days?

I just do not understand.

An amazing college player does not always translate into a future MLB player.

As far as the players out of HS or JUCO and playing MLB, it may have been their decision to go pro out of HS, or attend JUCO so that they could be drafted the following year, giving up their D1 opportunity. For example I know of some players who signed with Clemson, but chose to go pro after HS and playing MLB. They were not overlooked. I am not saying that this doesn't happen but unless you have information if they signed with a D1 or, not sure you can make that assumption.

There are many MLB players that attended D1 schools, but I know there are more that didn't.

I have my own personal theories on this, not may be in agreement with others. In our own particular case, son felt that he would rather take his chances and grow and mature and work under a specific coach rather than go pro after HS.

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When reading player bios on MLB.com I noticed that most of the top college players from schools like Arizona State, Texas, LSU, Miami, UCLA, Stamford, UNC, Georgia Tech, U Florida, etc. never make it to the major leagues yet are amazing players in college that face the best of the best college pitchers and hitters.

Good post FlyingAce, but there are many MLB players who have come out of those colleges.

Some of the greatest players/pitchers who ever lived came out of the colleges you have named. Probably should add Southern Cal to that list as well.

Here are the number of MLB players that came out of those colleges. With a list of just a few from each college. Hall of Fame types in Bold

Arizona State – 86 – Reggie Jackson, Barry Bonds, Bob Horner
Texas – 94 – Roger Clemens, Keith Moreland, Burt Hooton
LSU – 58 – Todd Walker, Alvin Dark, Paul Byrd
Miami – 37 – Charles Johnson, Alex Cora, Danny Graves
UCLA – 63 – Jackie Robinson, Troy Glaus, Chase Utley
Stanford – 73 – Mike Mussina, Joe Borchard
UNC – 48 – BJ Surhoff, Walt Weiss, Moonlight Graham (sorry couldn’t help myself)
Georgia Tech – 38 – Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, Mark Teixeira
Florida – 48 – David Eckstein, Robbie Thompson, Al Rosen

And then there is this DI who probably has produced the most MLB players…
Southern Cal – 98 – Tom Seaver, Dave Kingman, Fred Lynn, Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson, Mark Prior, Barry Zito, Geoff Jenkins, Bret Boone, Don Buford, and many more.

One reason there are so many out of high school is because the "very best" are usually drafted and signed out of high school.

Houston Astros 25 man roster:
Pitchers
Matt Albers, San Jac CC
Dave Borkowski, HS
Brad Lidge, Notre Dame
Trevor Miller, HS
Brian Moehler, UNC Greensboro
Roy Oswalt, Holmes CC, MS
Chad Qualls, Nevada- Reno
Stephen Randolph, U of Texas, also teammate of mine at Galveston CC
Wandy Rodriguez, N/A
Chris Sampson, Texas Tech
Dan Wheeler, Central AZ
Woody Williams, U of Houston
Catchers:
Brad Ausmus, Dartmouth
Humberto Quintero, N/A
Infielders:
Lance Berkman, Rice
Craig biggio, Seton Hall
Morgan Ensberg, USC
Adam Everett, South Carolina
Mike Lamb, Cal St. Fulerton
Mark loretta, Northwestern
Outfielders:
Chris Burke, Tennessee (the OTHER UT )
Jason Lane, USC
Carlos Lee, N/A
Orlando Palmiero, Miami
Luke Scott, Oklahoma State

There are only 4 american born players on this roster that never went to a 4 year school.

Good point Glove Man, but the Astros have been predominant college when it comes to the draft.

If we look at other teams like the Braves or Dodgers the results will look much different. I think, that is... haven't got time to check for sure.

y'all forgot about
CLEMSON

Kris Benson
Khalil Greene
Jeff Baker
Matthew LeCroy
Brain Barnes
Jerry Brooks
Rusty Gerhardt
Jimmy Key
Billy mcMillon
Mike Milchen
Matt White
Ken Vining
Billy Koch
John Pawloski

Just to name a few

I truly believe that there are great HS players who will not go any further; there are great college players who are just that great college players

That aint all that bad when you figure a player has taken his talent to its fullest degree

That is very true PG, it started with Hunsicker, and continues with Purpura.

One thing I've also noticed is that the Astros have traditionally had a mostly American born MLB roster.

Couple things come to mind:
1) Maybe many MLB players are not that brilliant and D1 school is not their piece of cake. Many people who are smart are professors and researchers and are not athletes at all. They put their energy into thinking, not doing. Many athletes put their energy into doing and not much with the books. Yes, some can do both, but they are not the majority in my opinion.
2) If a guy goes D1, it gives the MLB clubs a further base on which to assess this guy as opposed to straight out of HS. Projection is less as he has 3-4 more years than the guy from HS. Same goes with JC (and the point above - many are in JC because of their grades).
I have seen some good HS ball players that don't even make it through their HS years because of grades and other problems. If these weren't there, they could have played college or pro. Most don't even realize it.

Tim Robertson