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College Recruiting

Whats a D1 outfielder worth?

Questions and Discussions Regarding the College Recruiting process

by jonriv » Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:01 am

I thought these surveys were of coaches- if that's the case, perhaps it's the recruits and parents that are in the vacuum ? Since it's the coaches who recruit it would only make sense to hear them. Unfortunately there are too many on the recruit side who think they know, but are actually clueless
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by Dugout Dad » Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:38 pm

jonriv wrote:I thought these surveys were of coaches- if that's the case, perhaps it's the recruits and parents that are in the vacuum ? Since it's the coaches who recruit it would only make sense to hear them. Unfortunately there are too many on the recruit side who think they know, but are actually clueless

I agree with you on this JR. That survey is really right on based on my DD's experience and athletes I have helped. A player needs to do at least 90% of those suggestions in order to have a successful recruitment experience. And getting to the point of signing an NLI is the easy part compared to the next 4 years when the real work happens.
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by Blind Squirrel » Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:50 am

What is a D1 outfielder worth?

For me the biggest surprise in watching D1 ball, including top 20 teams, was seeing the routinely weak arms and/or the last second stabbing catches and non-catches of outfielders. Not the players fault. They're kids who clearly had never played in the outfield before college. Who does a college coach value more: a good defensive outfielder hitting .280 or any other player hitting .330? (yes, literally any other position regardless of how stacked the team already is at that position)

So to answer your question, a potential D1 outfielder is worth whatever she is worth as a hitter compared to every other recruit in the nation in her graduating class. Because anyone can play in the outfield. How well they play there matters little.

Obviously this is not an absolute.

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by AcerDad » Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:57 pm

jonriv wrote:I thought these surveys were of coaches- if that's the case, perhaps it's the recruits and parents that are in the vacuum ? Since it's the coaches who recruit it would only make sense to hear them. Unfortunately there are too many on the recruit side who think they know, but are actually clueless


I think you're completely missing my point. It is a coaches view in the survey outline. My point is that while all of those items make for an excellent perfect world, and a great ideal to strive for; the list of 14 & 15 year old girls that can follow that list and drive a recruiting campaign by themselves while keeping up with the rigors of schoolwork and the demands of top level club ball without the help of their parents is short indeed..... following that outline to a tee??....., we'd be short softball players.
And by the way, I'm on my 2nd time through this. My older daughter plays division 1 volleyball and we've been through the recruiting process before. I think I have a clue.
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by jonriv » Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:11 am

AcerDad wrote:
jonriv wrote:I thought these surveys were of coaches- if that's the case, perhaps it's the recruits and parents that are in the vacuum ? Since it's the coaches who recruit it would only make sense to hear them. Unfortunately there are too many on the recruit side who think they know, but are actually clueless


I think you're completely missing my point. It is a coaches view in the survey outline. My point is that while all of those items make for an excellent perfect world, and a great ideal to strive for; the list of 14 & 15 year old girls that can follow that list and drive a recruiting campaign by themselves while keeping up with the rigors of schoolwork and the demands of top level club ball without the help of their parents is short indeed..... following that outline to a tee??....., we'd be short softball players.
And by the way, I'm on my 2nd time through this. My older daughter plays division 1 volleyball and we've been through the recruiting process before. I think I have a clue.


I don't see anywhere where it says no parents help- just that the girls should write there own e-mails. My daughter did most of the recruiting herself- I helped-mostly by keeping her focused, proofreading etc... If the recruit can't balance recruiting and life- how are they going to balance softball and college classes?

I think the survey is excellent because it tells you what the recruiters are looking at, ignoring that would be foolish IMO. :roll:
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by Inthestands » Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:37 am

I do not believe that anyone is saying "ignore it". However, Acer is quite correct, there has to be a lot of parental input, beyond proof reading emails and a encouragement. Especially for the 16U's. There is still lots to be done once they reach college that we are finding only a parent can offer in terms of support.

This process as we have learned is very much a family effort. Sure the things that happen at the ball field and in the ball park are very much up to the player. She either gets it...or she doesn't. Rudimentary things like carrying your own bag, positive upbeat attitude, running on and off the field, avoiding temper-tantrums, the way you address your parents and coaches...all pretty straight forward. But a lot of things aren't.... Like, attending the right tourneys, networking with the right people, choosing the right team in the critical few years this will happen. Navigating the whole long list of registrations, tests, deadlines and so on. Those take a dedicated parent's guidance. Additionally the sorts of information, comparisons, knowledge, financial understanding, financial planning, financial capability, travel accessibility, geographic considerations...etc etc...are beyond the scope of most typical 16 year olds. One thing I will say though, they do learn fast

Our experience saw the actual interaction with colleges, the short listing, the unofficial visits, official visits and the final decision digested down in to less than 6 months. Sure there was a lot of preliminary work that went into positioning to be able to get to that stage.
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by just4fun » Sun May 17, 2015 6:41 am

Blind Squirrel wrote:What is a D1 outfielder worth?

For me the biggest surprise in watching D1 ball, including top 20 teams, was seeing the routinely weak arms and/or the last second stabbing catches and non-catches of outfielders. Not the players fault. They're kids who clearly had never played in the outfield before college. Who does a college coach value more: a good defensive outfielder hitting .280 or any other player hitting .330? (yes, literally any other position regardless of how stacked the team already is at that position)

So to answer your question, a potential D1 outfielder is worth whatever she is worth as a hitter compared to every other recruit in the nation in her graduating class. Because anyone can play in the outfield. How well they play there matters little.

Obviously this is not an absolute.

Just My Stupid Take Squirrel


While this s true for a lot of coaches, there are some big schools that do value outfielders, but you must be able to get on base. I know several D1 outfielders that were chosen because of the fielding ability and speed. I wouldn't call them great hitters, however they were good hitters and have been taught to slap well. I think more coaches are starting to realize that recruiting a good hitter and teaching them to play outfield, often doesn't work out. They end up giving up more runs than the create. As far as how much money to expect, its depends on the school's needs and level of play. A mid major will offer more than a major D1. A really good hitter will always be worth more. My best advise, be sure your DD selects a school she would go to if she weren't playing ball. In the end, she is there to get an education, and enjoy her college experience. If she chooses the right school, college will be the best time of he life and will prepare her for the future.
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