I have a 15 year son 6' 165llb LHP wo is a freshman he throws 82mph FB 68mph Change up and 69mph curve. What showcases should we start with and when? Should he be trying out for showcase summer teams now or wait?

Let him get his feet wet at a local regional showcase this summer and be sure he starts playing on a competitive summer team. If he's 15 and at 82 as a lefty, you have to have him seen.

Team One at Notre Dame is a good one and any one of the PG showcases will do as a second stop. Midwest Prospects if he's interested in Midwestern and Texas schools; and, College Select if he's staying in the Northeast.

Don't know much about the Best of Virginia showcases, but you should look into those as well.

Good luck with the "wrongarm".

Here's my opinion, which will take some heat from the showcase guys, WAIT. No college is going to seriously look at a 15 y/o kid. wait till after junior year and then start this process. My buddy sent his son to these as a freshman (5'10" throwing 83-84 at 15)and yes, he got some letters, but he was going to get those anyway. Now he's a junior (5'11" throws 85-86, but hits as high as 91 occasionally) and getting the same letters he got as a freshman.

Take him to a local showcase (less money) to introduce him to the process. Pro tryout camps next summer (free), and then hit the showcases as a junior (maybe a 1 or 2 as a sophomore). The biggiew is to make sure the showcase is reputable. Lots of guys just do these as "fundraisers". Check this site and find out where the good ones are held. We are planning on College Select and Perfect Game this year.

Unless the boy is a regular on the varsity, pitching in the regular rotation then he need not attend a showcase as a freshman

Just my opinion

TRhit

TRHit,

You just solidified your showcase for my son. Nice to see someone who runs these advise against coming at too young an age.

I concur with both responses. Obviously with your son, a LHP throwing 82 as a Freshman has tremendous upside.

The word exposure has gotten a bit over used. In most situations, showcases are about being that "one-day-wonder" which says prepare yourself so thats exactly what you do between your Junior and Senior Year.

Your money would be better spent working both the physical and technical aspects of pitching. If your son does not have one, get a trainer and start him on a proper strength and conditioning program. Supplement this with a quality pitching coach. One who works on the mental aspects as well the techniques of pitching.

The bottom line, exposing your son to the college scouts as a junior throwing 85-87 first time out as a LHP has a greater impact than believing they would follow your growth. I am not saying they won't put you on their radar screen at this point, but I truly do not believe the value is worth the monies spent.

Enjoy

I brought my than fourteen year old son to the Perfect Game Western Underclass Showcase last fall in Peoria. My son plays well above his age and I thought it would be a good experience for him to go through the process and to play games against very competition. In my humble opinion this is no different than taking the PSAT exam early on in preparation for SAT. My son played very well and was selected to the top prospect list. More importantly he thoroughly enjoyed playing with/against kids from other areas of the country.

The showcase reports are read by a lot of people. We have recieved letters and invitations to play on summer travel/tournament teams as result of having attended {done well} at showcase.

My son will be attending PG Sunshine Classic this summer. I personally think PG did wonderful job and it was a great weekend.

Our son went to his first "local" showcase the fall of sophomore year. No letters, and no offers, but that wasn't the purpose. We wanted him to "get his feet wet". We talked to two knowledgable coaches who both agreed there was no downside to a showcase at 15.
Gave him the confidence and experience for when College coaches would really pay attention to his performance. Made sense to us, and worked-out very well for our son. Good luck!

IMO, when (or if) a pitcher should start going to camps and national showcase events depends on the player and their skill level. The first priority and best return on $'s at any age is with a qualified pitching instructor. Next, is your player competing at the highest level in their HS or in the league/area? (No rose-colored glasses, get non-biased knowledgeable opinions.) If not, then in addition to lessons to upgrade skills, look for local events and college camps to attend for exposure. If your player's skills are significantly above their local competition, then start to widen their experience, as it makes sense for their ability and your budget. Look for reputable showcases and a travel team that will attend national tournaments for the summer after their sophomore year. There really is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Player ability and your finances will help to decide the course you take.

AS I noted above we use being a varsity regular as a guide line fro eligibility--is this the way you see it as parents and coaches?--- to me being a frosh means nothing unless you know what level he is playing HS ball at--

TRhit

I agree with what TR said. In our case, our son was a varsity starter as a freshman. Any player at any showcase, needs to be good enough that he belongs with the company he's trying to keep.