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Alabama Top Prospects

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 Alabama Top Prospects

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Welcome to Alabama’s Top Prospects

This website is devoted to assisting Alabama’s top athletes gain attention to their accomplishments and expose them to venues that will help their recruitment. Our list are not exclusive or complete and will be updated periodically as new players are brought to our attention throughout the year.

Any high school coach, summer league coach, college coach and/or professional scout is welcomed to submit names for these lists.

Rating System

Skill Level

                 1 - Below average / unlikely to play at next level

                 2 - Average / shows some ability to play at the next level

                 3 - Above average / good ability / can play at the next level

                 4 - Very good / can play at the upper levels

                 5 - Excellent / can play at the upper levels / draft prospect

                 6 - Plus Player / major prospect with high draft potential

Projection - Potential

                 1 - DIII / JUCO / NAIA

                 2 - Possible DII / DIII / JUCO / NAIA

                 3 - DII /  DIII / JUCO / NAIA

                 4 - Possible DI / DII / DIII / JUCO / NAIA / late Rounds Draft Prospect

                 5 - DI / DII / DIII / JUCO / NAIA / Mid Rounds Draft Prospect

                 6 - Top 50 DI / High Draft prospect

Sophomore Year

September - October

• Continue to hit the books hard in your sophomore year. Grades will count as much this year as any other year.
• Play on a fall baseball team if possible, but rest your arm a minimum of 8 weeks prior to your spring high school season..
• Long toss after school, run sprints and distance (2 miles or 20 minutes).
• If you are a pitcher talk to a pitching coach about setting up a fall/winter throwing plan.
• If you play a position hit in a batting cage and take grounders and fly balls as the weather permits.

November - January

• Locate an indoor work-out facility that offers “top level” instruction in mechanics, skills and conditioning.
• Target 1-3 Winter College baseball camps. With some scheduling you will be surprised how many you can attend. It also is a good Christmas present from parents and grandparents.
• Start preparing yourself physically and mentally for your high school team tryouts.
• Don’t let up on the grades.
• Talk to your school counselor about ACT/SAT tests and begin preparing for them. You should take them at least twice and preferably three times before your senior year.

February – May

• High school season. Work hard on your skills, development and physical strength.
• Don’t be afraid to ask your coach for some additional work after practice. If he is unavailable have your father or a teammate to help you afterwards. Serious players work hard at their game.
• Take care of injuries and don’t overlook them. Learn the difference between being injured and being hurt. Every player has to play through some minor “hurts”, but you should never attempt to play through an injury. Listen to what your body is telling you and no when you MUST shut it down. It could save you surgery and possibly your career.
• GRADES, GRADES, GRADES..

June – August

• Summer league season. You need to play with the best and against the best if you want to be the best. Push your talent level and play up.
• Talk with your summer coach about showcases, college camps and scouting combines. It is not too soon to start getting your name out and on a few lists.
• Take advantage of our conditioning program and ask coaches for help with your skills.
• Ask about professional tryout camps in your area. Most major league clubs hold these during the summer. They are free and a good opportunity to get your name out in the “Recruiting Grapevine”. Remember the recruiting network is widespread. Just because one does want/need you don’t mean he won’t speak to another who might.

Junior Year

September - January

• Send out your first contact letters. Pick out 20-25 colleges you are interested in and write the coach a letter. Include a copy of your fall schedule.
• September 1 is the first date written contact is allowed by the NCAA.
• Ask you high school coach and summer coach to write a letter of recommendation for you. Verify with them and any professional scouts that have seen you play that it is okay to use them as a reference. ALWAYS ask before using them.
• Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Initial registration is recommended, even though they cannot clear you until after your final transcripts. Most counselors will tell you there is no need until after your junior year, but press the matter and get the forms in now. They cannot list you until your final junior transcript, but you will be placed into their system.
• DO NOT LET UP ON ACADEMICS!
• Familiarize yourself with the NCAA admissions / eligibility requirements and talk with your high school guidance counselor about this. You can research this online at www.ncaa.org .
• Follow the same winter workout program mentioned in the Sophomore Year guidelines.
• Register for the Fall ACT/SAT standardize tests. Do it in the fall and not the spring to keep from conflicting with your high school season. Request that the scores be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse (there is a box to be checked on the application for this).

February – May

• Send out your spring high school schedule with a short note to coaches showing your interest in their program.
• Plan on visits to as many schools as possible. Check them out during baseball season. Talk to as many players as possible away from the coaches. Research their current roster, the number of transfers away from the program in the past, returning players (especially in your position) and their facilities. Make this an “Unofficial Visit”, which means that the school doesn’t pay for any of the cost of the visit. They can provide you with free tickets to games, though.
• Take advantage of any “Junior Day” invitations during your spring season, as long as they don’t conflict with your high school baseball schedule.

June – August

• Your summer season should focus and playing in premier events and attending “Select or Advanced” summer camps. Don’t waste time and money on “moneymakers”.
• Play against the best possible talent. Gauge yourself against some of the best players at each camp to see how you stack up.
• Get an HONEST evaluation from a professional as to your ability. Don’t be thin skinned and/or proud. Not everyone can play upper Division 1 baseball nor is everyone a professional prospect. Find out where you stand and pursue a level you can play at.
• July 1^st is the first day contact from college coaches is permissible. It is also “Showcase” month where we get you in front of as many decision makers as possible.
• Attend a professional tryout in your area.
• Seek out a Fall Scout Team – one that plays fall showcase events.
• Visit with your high school guidance counselor to make sure you are on track academically and are meeting your core subject requirements. Also make sure your counselor sent your final junior year transcript to the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Senior Year

September – October

• Send out your Fall Schedule to college coaches.
• If you don’t think you will sign in the early signing period, request camp information from the schools you are interested in or those who have shown interest in you.
• KEEP YOUR GRADES UP!
• This is also a time for many colleges to focus on bring players in for “Official Visits” during football season. Be warned that during these visits everyone is on their best behavior and what you see is not always a true picture of the program. Do your homework and don’t be deceived or become infatuated.

November – January

• November is the month for the early signing period for the National Letters of Intent. Spend time prior to receiving a NLI to investigate what it is and how it applies. You may learn more about the NLI at www.national-letter.org . Know what you are signing before you sign it.
• Remember while there are contact restrictions placed on the coaches, you may call college coaches by telephone at any time. Call and find out their interest.
• Continue following your fall/winter workouts and preparing for your final high school season.
• Don’t become discouraged if you are not offered in the early signing period. More sign in the later period than the first. The first is generally a time schools work on “blue collar” players (likely draft picks), pitchers and middle infielders.

February - May

• Remember that the attention drawn to you this spring will open doors for your high school teammates. Serve as a mentor and help them out.
• Play with intensity and play every game like it may be your last.
• Encourage, lead and assist your teammates.
• April is the beginning of the late signing period.

June – July

• Don’t forget to play at a high level of competition this summer after you finish high school. Remember those who will follow you and give something back to the program that has helped you. Again, attention drawn to you will help younger players get to where you have. Also, many college coaches and professional scouts look for loyalty or lack thereof.
• “Resting for the summer” will NOT prepare you for what awaits you in college. Find a program that will not overwork you  during the summer, but will assist you to reach your peak performance when you begin your fall workouts. Trust me you will not be ready after months of “resting”.
• Remember your accomplishments foster support and help recruiting in years to come.

The following questions were developed by the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The committee urges prospective student-athletes to ask these types of questions during their recruitment.

Athletics

Q: What positions will I play on your team?

It's not always obvious. Most coaches want to be flexible so that you are not disappointed.

Q: Describe the other players competing at the same position.

If there is a former high-school all-American at that position, you may want to take that into consideration. This will give you clues as to what year you might be a starter.

Q: Can I "redshirt" my first year?

Find out how common it is to redshirt and how that will affect graduation. Does the school redshirt you if you are injured?

Q: What are the physical requirements each year?

Philosophies of strength and conditioning vary by institution. You may be required to maintain a certain weight.

Q: How would you best describe your coaching style?

Every coach has a particular style that involves different motivational techniques and discipline. You need to know if a coach's teaching style does not match your learning style.

Q: What is the game plan? For team sports, find out what kind of offense and defense is employed. For individual sports, find out how you are seeded and how to qualify for conference and national championships.

Q: When does the head coach's contract end?

Don't make any assumptions about how long a coach will be at a school. If the coach is losing and the contract ends in two years, you may have a new coach.

Q: Describe the preferred, invited and uninvited walk-on situation.

How many make it, compete and earn a scholarship? Different teams treat walk-ons differently.

Academics

Q: How good is the department in my major?

Smaller colleges can have very highly rated departments. A team's reputation is only one variable to consider.

Q: What percentage of players on scholarship graduate in four years?

This will tell you about the quality of their commitment to academics. The team's grade-point average also is a good indicator of the coach's commitment to academics.

College Life

Q: Describe the typical class size.

At larger schools, classes are likely to be larger and taught by teaching assistants. Average class size is important to the amount of attention you receive.

Q: Describe in detail your academic support program. For example: Study-hall requirements, tutor availability, staff, class load, faculty cooperation.

This is imperative for marginal students. Find a college that will take the 3.000 students and help them get a 3.500 GPA.

Q: Describe the typical day for a student-athlete.

This will give you a good indication of how much time is spent in class, practice, studying and traveling. It also will give you a good indication of what coaches expect.

Q: What are the residence halls like?

Make sure you would feel comfortable in study areas, community bathrooms and laundry facilities. Number of students in a room and coed dorms are other variables to consider.

Q: Will I be required to live on campus throughout my athletics participation?

If the answer is yes, ask whether there are exceptions. Apartment living may be better than dorm living.

Financial Aid

Q: How much financial aid is available for summer school?

There is no guarantee. Get a firm commitment. You may need to lighten your normal load and go to summer school in order to graduate in four years. You can take graduate courses and maintain your eligibility.

Q: What are the details of financial aid at your institution?

What does my scholarship cover? What can I receive in addition to the scholarship and how do I get more aid?

Q: How long does my scholarship last?

Most people think a "full ride" is good for four years. Financial aid is available on a one-year renewable basis.

Q: If I'm injured, what happens to my financial aid?

A grant-in-aid is not guaranteed past a one-year period even for injuries. It is important to know if a school has a commitment to assist student-athletes for more than a year after they have been injured.

Q: What are my opportunities for employment while I'm a student?

Find out if you can be employed in-season, out-of-season or during vacation periods. NCAA rules prohibit you from earning more than the cost of attendance during the academic year.

by: Bob Howdeshell
High School Baseball Web

What makes a good scholarship offer or deal?

The answer to that question will be as many and wide ranging as there are college baseball players. Let's take a look at a few key items and help you make the best informed choice. For the purpose of this article we will deal with NCAA Division 1 recruiting only. It is important to keep in mind that a Division college baseball coach is only allowed 11.7 scholarships to work with. In some cases an individual college will choose not to fund all 11.7 scholarships. (I am aware of some D1 schools that have as few as 4 or 5 funded scholarships).A coach will try to get the "most bang for his buck", when recruiting your son. Don't take this personally -- it is the nature of the business.

Recruiting for a high school player is exciting, nerve-racking, peer pressure filled, tedious, sometime scary and usually the "roller coaster ride" of a player's (and families) emotional life. But it beats the alternative -- which is not being recruited at all.

When coaches come calling, it is like a courtship. They call, they send you notes and possibly invite you for a visit. They want you to choose their school over all others and will try to impress you, sometimes promising things they are not able to deliver. They may also, at this time, attempt to impress your parents, seeking their blessings and support for the "marriage" between you and their school. Most school's scholarship money goes to players who fill the "up the middle" positions. Pitchers, catcher, shortstop, second base and center field.

It is generally acknowledged that a 50% offer is "a good offer." The important question becomes -- 50% of what? Is it 50% or 30% or 10% of full tuition, books, room & board, student fees, etc.? Or is it a percentage of tuition only? It is important to ask questions and understand fully what is being offered. In many cases a coach will offer a specific dollar amount of assistance. For example a school may offer $5,000. In either case it becomes a matter of weighing the offer from one school against another. For example if a student-athlete is offered 50% at a school where the total yearly costs are $18,000, that leaves a family $9,000 per year PLUS the usual incidental expenses. Now compare an offer from another school with a yearly cost of $9,000 and your son has been offered $5000 in aid. This leaves a cost of $4,000 to the family, plus incidentals.

Many times a coach will offer "books and board" or even just "books." Be honest and up front with the coaches. Tell them what you will need from them in order for your son to play at their school. This will take some planning and economic thought on the families part. Ask the question .... "How much can we afford, per year, for our son's college education?" This would be the same question that a family would ask if their child were not an athlete.

When it comes time to negotiate, listen to exactly what the coach offers. Then either the player or the parent should restate the proposal as you understand it, ask for any clarifications. When the offer is not quite what you think it should be or enough to allow the student-athlete to go to that school, discuss it with the coach.

 

Parent's Involvement in the Negotiation Process

Parents are encouraged to assume a supporting role with their student-athlete up to this point in the recruiting process. Now, however, when it is time to deal directly with the coach or recruiter and decide which school is offering the best scholarship and/or other benefits, parents should assume a more visible role. The student-athlete often needs strong representation when negotiating with an experienced college coach.

I have heard many parents say "We are letting our son make his own choice, after all it is his college experience not ours." That may work well in football and basketball recruiting, where the scholarships are all "full rides", but in baseball the game is very different. A parents role should be to make sure that their son is not making a mistake or a poor decision based on the "reputation" of a school or coach. Keep in mind that after getting an education "playing time" will be the most important element of a players experience. This courtship is exciting, a boost to the ego, and even the most practical and mature student-athlete might be tempted to succumb to the first offer, asking only, "Where do I sign?" However the involvement of the parents should provide a clear-headedness necessary in the heat of the recruiting courtship.

The NCAA now allows "blending" of athletic and academic scholarship monies to qualified students. Read the "Scholarship Blending article in the recruiting section of this site (hsbaseballweb.com).

Things to Consider When Evaluating One Offer Versus Another

*Tuition
*Board (housing)
*Meal costs
*Books
*Student fees
*Class fees (if any)
*Travel costs (especially if the school is out of state>
*Incidental costs (most schools can provide "an average" incidentals cost for students

Affairs of the Heart

Finally we can not ignore the "affairs of the heart." If a student-athlete has more than one offer and one of them is from his favorite school, you must give consideration to this fact. Naturally a family can not mortgage their future just so their son can go to his favorite baseball program. But if all things are equal or if the added costs are not a burden to the family the decision should be an easy one.

Get ALL Offers In Writing

Most schools use the National Letter of Intent as an agreement between the student-athlete and the school.

NLI's can only be signed during specific periods of the year. Once an offer has been made by a school and the player has verbally accepted the "deal." Ask the coach to put it in writing. This protects both the coach and the player, and should not be a problem for any honest recruiter. This is prior to the player signing a NLI. Once you make your choice never look back, enjoy the experience!

There are some common pitfalls in recruiting during the high school years. Failure to understand them could prove disastrous to your or your son’s future in the game.

Things that do not go unnoticed

Negatives

Positives

By: Bob Howdeshell

Reprinted From: Varsity Edge