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Michigan Mailbag: December 18th

December 19, 2014



By Brent Alwine and Dylan Hefflinger
Michigan Scouting Director and Michigan Editor in Chief/Regional Scout

Every week, PBR Michigan holds an interactive chat through Twitter with our followers. Our goal is to be accessible. This is your chance to take advantage of our expertise. Ask questions to Brent Alwine, Michigan Scouting Director, about the recruiting process, upcoming high school season, specific prospects, PBR events, or anything else that may be on your mind.

We would like to thank all who participated, we enjoy bringing you knowledge and expertise on players and programs in your area.

Next week, we will be answering questions on either Tuesday or Wednesday, stay tuned.

Eight of the top questions from the Ask.FM Q&A Session on December 18th


A Division I pitching coach and recruiting coordinator wrote this week that pitching 90mph is overemphasized. Do you find low-to-mid-80s pitchers getting recruited by Division I schools?

PBR: There is not a specific velocity you need to get to. Many pitchers throughout college baseball pitch at different velocities.

  • How do hitters react to your pitchers?
  • What is your strikeout to walk ratio?
  • What type of pitches do you command for strikes?
  • Do you compete?
  • Do you sustain the velocity over a game?

Those are factors that will determine what level you can or cannot pitch at.

What's the best way to get a coaches attention for an out of state D1 school?

PBR: Contact them via email. Have your high school coach and summer coach contact them through email about you. Attend a camp at their school. Play for a summer team that chooses to leave the state for tournaments and plays in high level tournaments.

How important are grades in recruiting? Will coaches offer you earlier and more if the grades are good?

PBR: Grades are the biggest factor in the recruiting process. Your grades will get more scholarship money then a baseball scholarship. Your offer will happen however based on you ability to play the game of baseball.

After getting a new coach last year (making this his second year) do you believe Detroit Catholic Central has a shot to win anything this year, after a rebuilding year?

PBR: DCC will make a big jump as they are returning some key contributors. The key will be being able to be consistent in the Catholic League. If you are not prepared and ready to play everyday the Catholic League will eat teams alive. Look for DCC to make strides this year if the leadership is there from within the players.

Any Division I schools still looking for 2015 pitchers?

PBR: Schools are always looking for pitching. Pitching is the biggest factor to winning baseball games. With injuries and the draft in June, schools are always looking to add depth to their pitching staff.

Is it too late for 2015 players to get looked at by D1 schools and possibly get offers?

PBR: It’s never too late. Start gathering schools that you’re interested in that offer the degree you intend to study, distance from home (so you family can see you play), and financially what schools you can afford. Focus on schools that you can play at, ask your high school and summer coach. Attend the schools camps this winter to put skills front and center for them to evaluate you. Communicate with coaches via email and provide them with you GPA, ACT/SAT, and your statistics.

Coldwater HS has won 3 straight District titles and one Regional. How do they stack up for 2015 and do you think can 4-peat and beyond?

PBR: Coldwater is battle tested and looks to win the District again with a lot of key returners and some newcomers. Coldwater is very well coached and will be prepared. With that being said Vicksburg is loaded in every facet of the game and has some big arms on the mound and big bats in the middle of the lineup. Look for this District winner to make noise deep into the state tournament.

What is the best way to stand out to coaches as in of times? I am a junior that plays catcher.

PBR: Best way to stand out is to play hard every second of every practice and game. Running wise catchers do not need to be the fast home to 1st or 60-yard dash; however you cannot be so slow that you clog the bases for runners that hit behind you in the lineup. Pop times are always important in the recruitment of players. Look to be under 2.05 consistently by this summer or even better. Most importantly with your throws be consistent with putting the ball on the bag to give yourself opportunities to get the runner out.

What is the best way to go about getting a visit to a school, if in the 2017 class I has heard of some 2017 players taking school visits?

PBR: College coaches can contact your high school/summer coaches and scouts to setup visits for you. To go on a visit as a 2017 you have to be a recruit for that school, you cannot just assume you can visit whatever school you want.

Who are the Top draft prospects for the class of 2015 from Michigan?

PBR: Nick Plummer is an outfielder from Brother Rice. He is a projected 1st round pick.

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