06/26/2026
RECRUITING - We want to keep everyone informed on the ever changing landscape of baseball recruiting in regards to going from High School to College baseball.
How High School Players Are Going to Play College Baseball Today
For decades, the path to college baseball was fairly simple. A player performed well in high school, attended showcases, contacted college coaches, and hopefully earned an opportunity to play at the next level.
Today, that process has changed dramatically.
The rise of the NCAA Transfer Portal, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), roster limitations, and increasing competition have transformed college baseball recruiting. High school players and parents must understand this new landscape if they hope to successfully navigate the recruiting process.
The Transfer Portal Has Changed Everything
Perhaps the biggest change in college baseball recruiting is the NCAA Transfer Portal.
The Transfer Portal allows college athletes to transfer from one school to another while immediately becoming eligible to compete at their new institution in many situations. As a result, college coaches now have access to thousands of experienced college players looking for new opportunities every year. Colleges increasingly use the portal to fill immediate roster needs because coaches already know what these players can do at the college level. (Baseball America)
Think about it from a coach’s perspective.
If a Division I coach needs a shortstop, he can recruit:
* A 17-year-old high school player who may need two or three years to develop.
* A 21-year-old college player who has already proven he can compete against college competition.
More and more coaches are choosing the experienced player.
This does not mean high school players cannot play Division I baseball. It simply means that the recruiting process has become more competitive than ever.
Division I Baseball Is More Competitive Than Ever
Recent changes in college athletics have created additional challenges for incoming freshmen.
Division I baseball programs are adjusting to new roster structures and scholarship models, with many programs carrying smaller rosters while simultaneously increasing scholarship opportunities for selected players. Roster management has become extremely important for coaches, leading many programs to prioritize experienced transfers when filling available spots.
As a result, some players who may have previously signed with Division I programs are now finding excellent opportunities at Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Junior College programs.
And that’s perfectly okay.
Many Major League Baseball players began their careers at the junior college or small college level.
Junior College Baseball Is Becoming Increasingly Important
Junior college baseball has become one of the best pathways to Division I baseball.
Players who attend junior college gain:
* Immediate playing opportunities.
* Time to physically mature.
* Additional development.
* Valuable game experience.
* Another opportunity to be recruited.
Many Division I coaches now heavily recruit junior college players because they have already proven themselves against older competition.
For some players, junior college may actually be the best route to reaching their ultimate goal.
Exposure Still Matters
Even with all the changes, players still need to be seen.
College coaches cannot recruit players they do not know exist.
Today’s players should focus on:
* Creating a quality skills video.
* Attending camps at schools they are interested in.
* Building relationships with coaches.
* Sending personalized emails to college programs.
* Keeping grades high.
* Maintaining updated statistics and measurable data.
Technology has also become extremely important.
Metrics such as exit velocity, bat speed, running times, throwing velocity, and video analysis now play a significant role in recruiting. Programs increasingly use objective performance data during evaluations. (2D Sports)
At The Hitting Academy, we believe every player should understand their measurable performance numbers and continually work to improve them.
Academics Matter More Than Ever
Parents often focus exclusively on athletic ability.
College coaches do not.
Strong grades open doors.
A student-athlete with excellent grades gives coaches more flexibility when building their roster and often qualifies for additional academic scholarship money.
Players should strive to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA while taking challenging courses whenever possible.
Great students often receive more opportunities.
The Most Important Factor: Development
The recruiting landscape may be changing, but one thing has not changed.
College coaches still recruit talented players.
The best investment a player can make is in their own development.
Players who consistently improve their:
* Swing mechanics.
* Strength.
* Bat speed.
* Defensive ability.
* Athleticism.
* Baseball IQ.
* Mental toughness.
will continue to separate themselves from the competition.
At The Hitting Academy, we have helped hundreds of players continue their baseball careers at the college level over the past two decades. The recruiting process has changed, but the formula for success remains the same:
Develop your skills, work relentlessly, perform when given opportunities, and never stop improving.
College baseball opportunities still exist for players who are willing to put in the work.
The road may look different than it did ten years ago, but for dedicated players, the dream of playing college baseball is still very much alive.
