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2014 class going to play @ next level??


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Hunter Uzzle (C) Bridge City-Panola

Tyler Powell (RHP) Silsbee-Panola

Jordan Gore (Inf/OF) Silsbee-Panola

Colby Leblanc (C) Silsbee- Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

JM Kelly (INF) Buna-Panola

Jacob Palmer (C) Buna - Northwest OSU

Brett Boudreaux (INF) Baytown Sterling -Panola

Korey Clark (LHP) Nederland- LSU-E

Bryan Feltman (C )Nederland- LSU-E

Ryan Johnson (OF/LHP) Hamshire Fannett -Panola

Logan Ashworth (RHP) PNG- University of Alabama

Eric Foshee (RHP) Vidor - University of Arkansas Little Rock

Ryan Erickson (RHP/INF) Lumberton- Lamar University

Matt White (LHP) Lumberton- Lamar University

These are the ones I know of off hand. Some of their commitments may have possibly changed. If so I apologize for any misinformation.

Congrats to them all.

Rake1
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Looking back I really think the JUCO route is the way to go. If a kid can put his ego aside an accept that playing at a JUCO is playing college baseball it works out very well for them. If D1 player you better be ready to play day 1 and truthfully most high school kids haven't matured enough physically or mentally to excel at the D1 level right away. Go JUCO play everyday and improve your stock to either get drafted or go D1 after two years when your body and brain catch up. But for some accepting JUCO is very tough and egos get in the way. I know in my case it did and never played another inning after getting knocked out of the playoffs my senior year.This is when coaches need to step in a advise the player what they think is best. This area (GT) does a great job of getting kids noticed and getting them in a situation to excel. 

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Lots of factors in deciding either way. Nobody in their right mind would go play D1 at a school where the roster was full of Freshmen and Sophs at their particular position. Who wants to go sit and wear a hat just to say you were a D1 guy when you can go JUCO, get a ton of AB's and innings. If a D1 school has an opportunity for a freshman to come in and play right away then that's a different story all together. Scholarships and money are way different also. A 100% full ride to a D1 school is not a complete myth but it may as well be because they are so few and far between. JUCO on the other hand the full ride is far more common. Compare 2 years free school taking the same basic classes with a fraction of the students in the classroom and all of a sudden JUCO looks very appealing. Compare that financially to a 50% or 60% ride to a D1 and the dollars start adding up.

Each individual player has their own set of circumstances to deal with and different factors to influence their decision. No 1 path is the perfect one for everybody and each player ultimately has to make the best personal choice for themselves. JUCO baseball is far from being "minor league" because you have some serious talent playing at that level with an eye on the major league draft. Plenty of top quality players pass D1 schools in favor of JUCO just to be eligible for the draft earlier. Some big league arms lurking around in places you would never think about. Hop off the bus in "nowhere Nebraska" and walk in to a guy pumping 93 from the left side, talk about an eye opener!

When the College World Series starts check out the rosters and see how many JUCO transfers made each roster, it will surprise you. It's a blessing to play ball beyond high school and to have that opportunity help you get a good education is a win/win situation no matter who you are. Good luck to all these young men as they take that next step in both their life and baseball career.

Rake1
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Lots of factors in deciding either way. Nobody in their right mind would go play D1 at a school where the roster was full of Freshmen and Sophs at their particular position. Who wants to go sit and wear a hat just to say you were a D1 guy when you can go JUCO, get a ton of AB's and innings. If a D1 school has an opportunity for a freshman to come in and play right away then that's a different story all together. Scholarships and money are way different also. A 100% full ride to a D1 school is not a complete myth but it may as well be because they are so few and far between. JUCO on the other hand the full ride is far more common. Compare 2 years free school taking the same basic classes with a fraction of the students in the classroom and all of a sudden JUCO looks very appealing. Compare that financially to a 50% or 60% ride to a D1 and the dollars start adding up.

Each individual player has their own set of circumstances to deal with and different factors to influence their decision. No 1 path is the perfect one for everybody and each player ultimately has to make the best personal choice for themselves. JUCO baseball is far from being "minor league" because you have some serious talent playing at that level with an eye on the major league draft. Plenty of top quality players pass D1 schools in favor of JUCO just to be eligible for the draft earlier. Some big league arms lurking around in places you would never think about. Hop off the bus in "nowhere Nebraska" and walk in to a guy pumping 93 from the left side, talk about an eye opener!

When the College World Series starts check out the rosters and see how many JUCO transfers made each roster, it will surprise you. It's a blessing to play ball beyond high school and to have that opportunity help you get a good education is a win/win situation no matter who you are. Good luck to all these young men as they take that next step in both their life and baseball career.

Rake1

Very well put

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Nine ball you have made some great points, but another big point here is pitchers vs. Hitters going to a d1 right out of high school. You have a way better chance to pitch right out of high school at the d1 level because they need depth in the bullpen. As a hitter/position player its tough to get a chance because most of the time there is already 9 guys they plan on playing
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No one route is the perfect route for everybody,   Since most of the above mentioned kids are unlikely to play MLB based on probability only, to not be realistic about one's likelihood to have opportunity to compete for playtime early on, is foolish in my  opinion.  I believe the order of priority for most should be Academic integrity of School, Athletic competitiveness of program, Likelihood to contribute early vs later, and financial fit for mom and dad, in that order.  I think JUCO is a great path for a D! caliber player who just needs the reps and experience and time to grow and mature, they just need to make sure to stay on top of Academics so everything will be building towards their transfer whether they continue to play or not.  RAKE1 is dead on, on how many transfer junior JUCO players go on to play for great D! programs, as will be seen on rosters this CWS as ones before that.  Regardless of the plan, to have a plan is the important thing.  It hardly goes just how you think it will, but if you are organized and open minded, a lot more kids could play next level and have a ton of fun in the process.

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