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Michigan Mailbag: February 4th

February 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.

10 of the top questions from the Ask.FM Q&A Session on February 4th


Other than the money what is the difference between a preferred walk-on and a scholarship athlete if there is any?

PBR: From an NCAA standpoint as a walk-on or roster spot player you can be cut at anytime from the team. Scholarship players cannot be cut from the team. Schools can bring in over the 35 roster spot limit, they have to be down to 35 players by their first game in February.

Do college coaches want multi-sport athletes in high school or a player who is mainly focused on baseball?

PBR: Most coaches like the versatility that playing multiple sports creates in athletes. At the end of the day, coaches are going to recruit players that will make their team better and hopefully be a piece to the puzzle for a championship.

I have been hearing some 2017 players taking site visits. How are they getting invited. Thought they could not contact players till 1st day of junior year?

PBR: College coaches communicate through high school coaches and summer coaches to get in contact with players. They will reach to those coaches and request the players call the college coaches. College coaches can speak with 2017's and 2018'. They cannot call, text, or email those players. We have one player in our state that is committed in the 2017 class, several other players have offers.

Is it too late for a 2015 player to be recruited to a DI or DII school?

PBR: No, but you need to be proactive with contact schools. 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.

Where is Luke Shilling projected to be drafted after his Super 60 performance?

PBR: Luke Shilling was seen by every MLB organization on Sunday throwing 93-95 mph. He just made a transition to pitching in August and will have a learning curve. He commands his pitches Luke could go fairly high in the draft in June. We only have a handful of players that are draft eligible in all the PBR states that are 95 mph or over.

Any under the radar 2018 player people should pay attention to?

PBR: Every 2018 player is under the radar because they have not played a game at this point. Once March and April hit will have a better grasp on the 2018 class.

If I am verbally committed to a community college but I have recently heard some bad things about it, is it okay to start talking to some college coaches again?

PBR: If what you are hearing is factual then yes I would start looking for a different place to play. You need to be upfront with the school you decommitting from as soon as you can.

How many players will PBR Michigan be taking down to Indiana for team Michigan for th PBR event? How many from each class?

PBR: The team size can vary be between 16 to 20 players. The next Future Games are only open to uncommitted players in the 2017 and 2018 class.

How are the players picked for the Future Games? Is there an amount of PBR events that you need to go to to be selected?

PBR: There are numerous ways to be in consideration for the Future Games:

  • Evaluations and performance at PBR events.
  • Evaluations and performance at non-hosted PBR showcases.
  • Area scouts inputs of performance during spring and summer games.
  • High school and summer coaches reports on players, this comes from opposing coaches also communication from players on statistics based on their season statistics.
  • You do not have had to attend an event to be invited.

Who are the top 2016 uncommitted RHP?

PBR: Here are a few of the top 2016 uncommitted RHPs:

  • Tyler Thorington - Wyandotte Roosevelt
  • Grant Hartwig - Detroit Catholic Central
  • Kevin Large - Utica Ford
  • Bennett Norry - Kenowa Hills

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