Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Michigan Mailbag: December 29th (23 Jam-Packed Questions Answered)

January 5, 2015



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.

We will be answering questions on either Tuesday or Wednesday, stay tuned.

23 of the top questions from the Ask.FM Q&A Session on December 29th


Each year a few players are not in the rankings that should be. Why is that?

PBR: We do our best to communicate and know the entire state and rank players accordingly. We do miss on a player from time to time. We also have some players that request to not be in our rankings for personal reasons.

I am a 16 year old, 2016 grad. I've been offered a starting catchers spot on a high level 18u team and also a high level catchers spot on a 16U team but with shared time. Both teams will play similar tournaments (black swamp, ect.) Which team will give me better opportunity to be seen and why? Thanks

PBR: If you are committed to a college I see no problem with playing with an 18U team. If you’re not committed to a college then I would recommend you consider the 16U team from a recruiting standpoint. 18U teams usually are all committed to colleges which in-turn does not draw college coaches to your games to recruit you as a 16 under player. You have to look out for your best interest to get you to the next level when picking your summer team.

What do you think of Vicksburg high school and how will their season go?

PBR: Vicksburg has all the right pieces to have a special season. They will the potential to be a powerhouse for the next few years with the talent they have. They need to have strong leaders to keep them focused throughout the season. I could see Vicksburg making a deep run in June.

What's the update on Josh Smith from Saline?

PBR: Josh Smith (Saline HS/Kentucky commit) had Tommy John this past fall/late summer. He plans to hit and play the field this spring. Coach Thiesen will follow Doctors orders with allowing him to play or not to play.

Should you let other colleges know that different colleges are interested in you? Or is that a bad move?

PBR: I would not ever talk about other schools to a school that is speaking with you. Never share scholarship offers with anyone but your parents, when your offers get talked about it could lessen what other schools may offer. Scholarship offers are a personal matter that is between you and that school.

How to get noticed by coaches at camps?

PBR: Lots of ways to get noticed, like:

  • Sprint on and off the field.
  • Be coachable and listen.
  • Handle success in an appropriate way.
  • Handle failure in an appropriate way.
  • Play as hard as you can at all times.
  • Show that you enjoy playing the game.
  • Wear your hat and uniform in a proper manner.

Is it possible for a college coach to contact an underclassman in anyway? If not, how are all these kids verbally committing so early?

PBR: Coaches can contact players on September 1st of there junior year. Before that coaches can contact coaches, visits and/or offers can be set up that way. Your summer or high school coach have you call schools that have interest in you, as you can call college coaches and they can speak with you if you initiate the phone call.

Can you call a coach without your high school or summer coach doing it for you?

PBR: You can but there needs to be interest from the school before I would call. I would email them first if they have not been in contact with you at any point.

What are some questions I should ask coaches if they invite you in for a visit?

PBR: Here are a sample of questions:

  • Do they offer the degree you desire?
  • Is athletic aid or academic aid going to be offered?
  • What role to do you see me in as a freshman?
  • What are the options for summer placement to play in a summer collegiate league?
  • What type of academic support is given to student athletes?
  • What is the living arrangement for hold over, hold over is when the academic school year is over but baseball season continue?

What do you think about Grand Ledge baseball and what they will do this year?

PBR: Grand Ledge will be factor as they always are and contend for a title in there conference and in the Diamond Classic. Coach Pat O'Keefe always has his teams fundamentally prepared for the season. Some young talent is coming up that will make an impact this year with a some talented senior players.

What exactly do players do at a showcase?

PBR:

  • You stretch.
  • Run a time 60-yard dash or home to 1st.
  • Take batting practice while on video.
  • Exit velocity is registered off a tee.
  • Defensive evaluation on video with velocity registered.
  • Pitchers throw a bullpen.
  • If the event is outside we incorporate a controlled game.

If you're interested in a school should you send there coach a email explaining your interest in the school?

PBR: Yes. Include information about yourself:

  • GPA
  • ACT
  • Previous seasons statistics
  • High school and summer coaches names and cell phone numbers

Will there be college coaches in attendance at the Unsigned Senior Showcase in February?

PBR: Yes colleges coaches will be in attendance.

I'm a 2016 grad. I was just told by a D3 coach that he is interested in me playing for him. How soon can I commit to him and the school?

PBR: You can commit right now. There is no timetable on when you can or cannot verbally commit to a school.

Realistically how many high school players from Michigan will get drafted this year?

PBR: We have one big time draft pick and a handful of others that will have a following this spring. I would say Michigan will have three players drafted in the June draft.

I just went to a camp and think I did very well. Can I contact the coach and ask for a visit?

PBR: You can absolutely contact the coach and I would recommend you do so. I would let them dictate the visit.I If they show interest in you after you contact them then you could gracefully ask to come on a unofficial visit.

How could I contact the coach? What would I say?

PBR: I would starting gather schools that you’re interested in and 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 (communicate with your HS coach that you want to play in college) and summer coach what level (DI, DII, DIII, JUCO, NAIA) you should focus on. 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.

Is the 60 or home to first more important?

PBR: Both are very important. To some schools it can make or break you. It gauges your athleticism and ability to steal bases in the future.

What will NDP do now that Luke Schilling is no longer catching?

PBR: Luke Schilling will be a nice addition to the mound for Notre Dame Prep. Notre Dame Prep always has players that are good and prepared by the coaching staff. I expect the catcher that starts this spring to be prepared and ready to handle the deep pitching staff at Notre Dame Prep.

Since verbal commitments are not legally binding, what purpose do they serve? What will commitments entail (scholarship $$ / %)? There are lots of things that can change between a freshmen/sophomore season and when a players graduates.

PBR: They are verbal agreements that you as a player will attend that school and that school will give said amount of scholarship when you sign your NLI. A lot of things can change and that is why at a player you need to do all your background on schools and make sure the school you choose is the right fit.

How do I get invited to a PBR showcase.

PBR: Some of our invites are invite only and you can request and invite. We host several open invites where anyone can attend. You can view our events at http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/michigan/events

How do you feel about Coldwater's team this coming up season?

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.

When should a player register with the NCAA Eligiblity Center (formerly known as the NCAA Clearinghouse)?

PBR: They can do it at any point. The earlier the better. Schools that have interest in you as a student-athlete can you look you up in the system and give you a better idea of academic aid you may receive.

Top Michigan Headlines