Before he was a World Series champion physical therapist with the Dodgers, Jonathan Erb was a top hitter at Camarillo High, Oxnard College and Azusa Pacifica. He’s at Pacifica High this morning for a free youth baseball clinic.
Watch Devon Wilkes hit a solo home run to put Pacifica ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning of the @CIFState Division IV regional baseball championship
My kid wasn’t getting playing time. This is how we handled it.
❌ No complaining about the coaches
❌ No contacting the coaches
✅ Personal accountability
✅ Patience and readiness
Braylon switched positions from defensive end to offensive tackle four weeks ago. For four consecutive weeks Braylon appeared in exactly zero plays from scrimmage despite getting game rotations at defensive end prior to switching positions.
Braylon and I talked quite a bit about earning playing time the past four weeks. We discussed continuing to be a great teammate while trying to give out the most high fives on the team. I told him to press the coaches for reps in practice to learn and prove himself at his new position. We also detailed the value of being patient yet ready.
In the fourth quarter of a 2-0 game (yes, the only points were from a safety at that point) Braylon’s number was called and he was on the field playing left tackle for the first time. He did well and earned his way back on the field for three consecutive drives until the game was over. His team ran around the left side to score the only touchdown of the game. Most importantly, their team won the game 8-0. It all came together.
I think Braylon learned many valuable life lessons through this season which we are grateful for. Sports are powerful.
PSA
Players...Let this sink in... it's the 100% truth
Do NOT expect coaches to promote you to colleges if you're not 100% (not 90%) reliable and dependable. Your priorities will make you promotable or non-promotable. Sadly, very few kids are promotable in today's environment.
Bregman was considered weird in college...because he was so driven and intentional on being the very best! He was/is wired differently and will end up in the HOF!
https://t.co/5l4wPQKr5z
The Division 1 baseball recruiting period ended yesterday. There will not be D1 coaches at any of your games, showcases, practices, etc. until March 1st of next year. The only exception is if you attend a camp at an individual school.
Now is the time to get after it on the development side. You've got 4-5 months to separate yourself from everyone else. Lift... eat well... take care of your body... work on the things you are not good at... challenge yourself!
This is also a great time for '24 grads to start expanding target school lists. Keep all options open. D2, D3, NAIA, JC are all very competitive and there are players from every level transferring to D1 schools now because of the transfer portal.
Travel Baseball is a complete waste of money for parents of kids that aren't doing everything in their power to be the best they can be.
The overwhelming majority of kids at travel ball tournaments have zero chance of getting recruited or offered by colleges. ZERO CHANCE. Colleges are looking for physical-strong kids with tools (bat speed, foot speed, power, arm strength, etc.), that compete like junk yard dogs. They're looking for the kids that are working to get more physical and better year-round...kids that project to be as good or better than their current players.
Strong kids...love the bench press!! Those same strong kids use to be weak kids! They put on their big boy britches, got over the embarrassment of being weak in the weight room, and started climbing the mountain. If you're weak...MAKE it TEMPORARY!! GET TO WORK NOW!!