How young would a college coach identify a player?

While watching the LLWS games on TV, I thought about how early a college coach or pro scout would identify a talent, even if he does not actively recruit him.

As would probably be typical in all national youth baseball tournaments, there were at least a half dozen kids in this group of ages 12-13 that simply stood out above the others.

If a coach or scout were watching, would they possibly at least jot down a kid's name in their "little black book" for later reference?

 

I doubt very seriously they pay too much attention...not any more than you or I. They may have a curious interest in a player from their area just to see how he turns out, but that's all.

Too many things can change in a player, the most notable, size--believe it or not a kid that appears older physically than his peers is one that a scout notices and does not like; even though he may dominate at his level.. They believe he has matured physically at a young age and does not project well.

 

Ask China

or maybe some of the "new showcases" at 13 or 14. Market baby, Market.......

 

agree with baseball maturity aspect

Braves, over the years I too have noticed many of the players that go on to play successfully in college or the pro's are ones that mature later in the HS years rather than early.

The La. team this year at the LLWS had a SS/pitcher that really had that baseball maturity characteristic at his early age. The central america team from Curacao (sp?) had an unbelievable SS defensively; he was a highlight reel all by himself.

 

Here's a nice "Where are they now?" story about 2 former littler leaguers who played in the LLWS 7 years ago,,, one of them "appeared" to be a stud (although later discovered he was too old),,, and the other young man was just a little fella... nice story, check it out:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cerda

 

Yeah, that kid is incredible. By the time he is 15 he will be signed by some MLB team.

That kid on La., Fontenot, is a good example. He has matured early and is bigger than everyone else. By the time they reach HS, his teammates have either caught up or surpassed his size. That's not to say he won't be a stud, but he won't dominate based on his physical size by his HS years.

 

That would be cool if they (Almonte vs Cerda) meet again

 

I believe somewhere in the story,,, Cerda says if they ever meet on the baseball field again, "it'll be a lot more fair this time"...

 

great story

that is a great story. Maybe Alamonte is getting his head on straight finally.

And the kid Matthew Certa, those don't come along often. what determination!! and this just proves my original thread on identifying a young player and sticking his name in the "little black book"!!

hope they both make it and face each other again.