pitching/recruiting

Question
I am a D3 college RHP, I throw 80-85 mph with command I have 3 main pitches 2 seam, change and curve. My best pitch would be my change up, this is my junior year and I want to get myself out there to keep my career going. I'm 6'0 165, how can I get scouts to look at me and what do I need to improve on to get them to want me?

Answer
Derrick:  Thank you for your question.

For getting yourself out there, I would suggest looking into a college baseball summer league.  If you google college baseball summer leagues, scroll down to Wikipedias' list.  They list the 40-50 leagues that are current.

Those leagues attract a lot of scouts, as you play almost every day for two months or so.

Between my sophomore and junior year, I was fortunate to play for the Galesburg Pioneers, of the Central Illinois Collegiate League.  We played 50 games in 60 days, there were always scouts in attendance.  Off our team we had 5 players who eventually signed, two had extensive and successful MLB careers.  Unfortunately I was not one of the 5.  However, I would not trade the experience for anything.  It was great.

I would suggest you start with your coach and see if he has any connections to any of the leagues that are currently active.  I had a very solid sophomore season; but my coach knew the person who was going to coach in Galesburg that summer, and they just happened to be looking for an infielder.  My good fortune.

There are also Independent Leagues where you may be able to get a tryout after you are finished with college ball.

MLB holds tryouts.  Google MLB tryouts.  The site says the 2009 schedule is coming soon.  Another opportunity to be seen.

Since you are playing college baseball, you have surely been seen by scouts.  Their network is beyond extensive.

At the high school where I coach now, we had a LH pitcher drafted by the Nationals in 2007.  This summer starts his third year in professional baseball.  He was 6'1, 195 lbs, consistent at 90-91, occasionally 93.  Being left handed didn't hurt him any.

You never know when you will do something to impress someone.  They may not even be there to look at you, when you do something that catches their eye.  Putting yourself in a position for that to happen, in a setting such as a college summer league which naturally attracts many scouts, increases your chances that someone will notice.  Being a pitcher should help your chances of finding a place to play, as teams will be looking for a staff, not just one shortstop.

Good luck as you move forward.  Hopefully your coach knows of someone, or will have a connection somewhere.  It always helps.

Yours in baseball,

Rick