One of the hardest truths in baseball:
Nobody owes you an opportunity.
Not your coach.
Not a scout.
Not the game.
You can work hard and still sit.
You can perform and still get overlooked.
You can do everything right and still watch someone else get the nod.
It’s not always fair.
But you control your prep, your response, and the standard you hold yourself to.
Real toughness isn't built when everything goes your way. It’s built when nothing does, and you show up to work anyway.
💯💪🙌
One of the most misleading beliefs in amateur baseball:
“If you’re good enough, college coaches will find you.”
After years as a professional player, college coach, and evaluator, here’s what I’ve learned:
Good players get missed every year.
Not because they lack talent, but because they remain hidden, receive poor advice, attend the wrong events, play the wrong schedule, or wait for someone else to create their opportunity.
Talent will always matter.
But talent alone isn’t enough:
• Be seen by the right people
• Compete against credible competition
• Keep your video, metrics, and information updated
• Communicate professionally
• Attend events where coaches are actually watching
• Perform when your opportunity arrives
Don’t chase exposure without development.
But don’t spend years developing in complete anonymity and expect coaches to magically discover you.
Develop. Compete. Be seen.
Coaches can’t recruit a player they don’t know exists. ⚾️🫡
#1 & #3 are very underrated and under valued by players and parents. Why? It takes patience and players have to commit to something they will not get immediate results from but this will be the ONE thing that can separate them from the pack!
5 THINGS I BELIEVE COLLEGE COACHES ARE REALLY EVALUATING 👇⚾️
After spending most of my life in this game, as a player, coach, and evaluator; here are 5 things I believe matter when college coaches are deciding who they want in their program.
1️⃣ PHYSICALITY
You don't have to be 6-foot-4.
But you better have some kind of physical presence.
Strength. Twitch. Speed. Durability. Something.
College baseball is played by grown men. Coaches are trying to figure out if your body can handle that environment, and what it could look like 2-3 years from now.
2️⃣ CURRENT SKILL + CEILING
What can you do RIGHT NOW?
And maybe just as importantly...
What could you become?
Velocity, bat speed, defense, command, power, those things matter.
But coaches are also projecting.
Frame. Movement. Arm action. Athleticism. Physical maturity. Adjustability.
They're not just recruiting today's player.
They're betting on tomorrow's.
3️⃣ ATHLETICISM
• Can you move?
• Can you adjust?
• Can you figure things out when something isn't working?
This is one reason I've always valued multi-sport athletes.
Different sports force you to move differently, compete differently and solve problems in real time.
Athletes tend to find a way.
4️⃣ COMPETITIVE MAKEUP
What happens when things go BAD?
• You strike out.
• You give up three runs.
• An umpire squeezes you.
• Someone takes your starting job.
Now what?
College coaches aren't only evaluating your highlights.
They're evaluating your response to adversity.
Give me the kid who WANTS the ball when the game gets uncomfortable.
5️⃣ CHARACTER / TEAMMATE
This one gets overlooked by players way too often.
• How do you treat your teammates?
• How do you respond to coaching?
• What does your body language look like when you're 0-for-4?
• Do you celebrate somebody else's success?
College coaches aren't just adding talent.
They're adding someone to their locker room for the next 3-5 years.
Talent gets you evaluated.
But the TOTAL PACKAGE gets you recruited. 📈⚾️
Lab Prospects 17u-Perry is looking for a couple more 27’/ 28’s for this fall season. Feel free to DM me if you’re interested or have any questions! @LABProspectsBSB@CoachBagwell26@Robbie_A_Bear
Players that are finishing up their summer circuits… Remember, you’re either getting better or you’re getting passed. Use this next month wisely. Physicality matters! @Robbie_A_Bear@Justin_Jensen5@LABProspectsBSB
Enjoyed my summer with @LABProspectsBSB , thank you @Robbie_A_Bear for the opportunity! Hit a new PR this summer at 77 MPH while sitting 75-76 in my last outing. Played against 2029's the majority of the summer. Freshman season loading!