When Should You Start the College Baseball Recruiting Process?

At KG Baseball Consulting, one of the questions we frequently address is, "When should my son start the college baseball recruiting process?"

While the answer varies for each player, the overarching principle is: sooner than you might think. For every aspiring college baseball player, continuous development is paramount. However, for some, the process also involves getting on college coaches' lists of players to watch, and for a select group, it means gaining visibility early in their high school careers.

The recruiting journey for student-athletes who aspire to play college baseball often begins well before many families realize. Although each player's path is unique, early planning, consistent progress, and strategic exposure are crucial for success.

Why Early Matters

College coaches actively identify potential recruits before their senior year. While a few high-level Division I programs might start observing players as early as 9th or 10th grade, the majority of college programs begin to solidify their lists with players entering or during their junior year of high school. Coaches compile these lists through reviewing videos, considering recommendations, and conducting in-person evaluations at camps, high school games, tournaments, and showcases.

By the end of a player's junior year, coaches typically have a substantial list of potential recruits. The most competitive Division I programs may have already finalized a significant portion of their recruiting class. This makes junior year a pivotal time. If your son isn't proactively reaching out to coaches and getting on their radar by then, he could miss out on important opportunities.

What “Starting Early” Looks Like

Getting started doesn’t mean committing to a school as a freshman. It means:

• Developing as a player. Get Better. Always be getting better.

• Building a recruiting plan tailored to the player’s ability and goals.

• Creating a quality highlight video and player profile.

• Understanding how and when to contact college coaches.

• Attending the right events, not just any showcase. Bad choices can get expensive.

• Getting honest feedback to target the right level of college baseball.

Freshman and Sophomore Years

The focus during these years should be on skill development and increasing visibility. This includes building skills, attending select events, and beginning to develop a quality video resume. Players and families should also educate themselves about the recruiting process: understanding what coaches look for, how the timeline might work, and the significance of academics.

Junior Year

This is a crucial year for many recruits. It's the time to intensify outreach to coaches, participate in high-value events, and update video footage and performance metrics. Players need to ensure they are seen by programs that align with their goals and skill level. Delaying engagement can lead to missing out on key roster spots. Being on college coaches' radar as they head into their senior summer is vital.

Senior Summer and Year

Opportunities still exist, particularly at the D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO levels. However, by this stage, roster spots are actively being offered. The summer preceding senior year is a critical evaluation period for players to be seen, as most college visits occur in late summer and early fall. Visibility during this summer showcase season is paramount. While not being seen in the summer doesn't necessarily end the recruiting process, it significantly increases the challenge. Senior year should ideally be focused on follow-ups, final evaluations, and making decisions. Therefore, for the majority of recruits, the summer before their junior year is a critical window.

We’re Here to Help

Every player's recruiting timeline is unique, but starting early provides more options. At KG Baseball Consulting, we offer guidance through every phase of the process with personalized plans, direct outreach to coaches, and experienced, honest feedback.

If you have a high school player with aspirations of playing at the college level, now is the time to begin the process.