Getting Scouted for College Baseball: An Insider's Look from IMG Academy

Are you looking to make the jump from high school baseball to a collegiate baseball program and even to Major League baseball? Perhaps you’ve been in touch with various coaches or attending baseball summer camps, such as IMG Academy’s, to learn more about how exactly you can get recruited for baseball, acquire that scholarship AND a college education. The admissions process, SAT tests, and NCAA, NAIA, and junior college baseball recruiting rules may seem daunting, but this article lays out a suggested timeline and schedule to follow throughout your four years of high school. Although most baseball recruiting begins during junior year, even a freshman can be searching how to get recruited for college baseball.

It Takes More than Just Talent

It takes more than just talent to be recruited for college baseball. If you have been on college coaches’ radars since the tenth grade, then congratulations, you are in a very small group. The second and bigger group is made up of athletes who have done the hard work of getting themselves noticed among a field of phenoms and first-rounders.

It’s not just about your skills; it’s a given that anyone who gets scouted will be talented and skilled. And it’s not about hard work on the field – that is also something expected at this level. It’s about putting yourself in a position to be noticed, making all the right moves, and being strategic about where you want to play.

What Do College Coaches Look for in High School Players?

If you want to know how to get recruited for college baseball, you need to know what college coaches are looking for. The main thing, besides talent, of course, college coaches look for is potential. Who will you become once you join their program?

College baseball recruiting is all about developing a team. You need to have what it takes to be a good teammate, be coachable, and always hustle on the field. Beyond those rare phenoms, players that go farthest are the ones who play the game the correct way and display the unteachable qualities of leadership and preparation. Work on these skills should begin early and continue throughout high school.

Timeline for How to Get Scouted for Baseball

There are a lot of things you can’t control in baseball recruiting, but you can control the steps you take during high school to increase your chances of being recruited. The coaches and college counseling staff at IMG Academy lay out an easy-to-follow pathway for college baseball recruiting. Take a look at how to get scouted for baseball:

Freshman Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines: 
  • No contact to be made by coaches or players for D1 and D2
  • D3: recruiting materials and phone calls permissible
• Fall Semester:
  • Establish effective time management between sport and school
  • Develop a broad initial college interest list (D1, DII, DIII, NAIA schools)
  • Focus on strong grades – it’s hard to rebound your GPA if the focus wasn’t there freshmen year
• Spring Semester:
  • Reassess college list and research their average GPA, ACT, and SAT scores 
  • Parents should also take time to learn about the acceptance requirements at these schools
  • Finish your first year strong!

Sophomore Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines:
  • D1 and D2: questionnaires, camp brochures, NCAA materials, and non-athletics recruiting publications only
  • No contact to be made by coaches or players for D1 and D2
  • D3: recruiting materials and phone calls permissible; off-campus, in-person contacts permitted following completion of sophomore year
• Fall Semester:
  • PSAT Test – it’s important that student do their best!
  • Meet your College Advisor and ask any initial college questions
• Spring Semester:
  • Sophomores will be signed up for SAT prep class
  • Set up unofficial visits with colleges of interest
  • Reassess college list – we should have a better idea of your academic and athletic strength (which division you can play)

Junior Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines:
  • D1: After July 1 following completion of junior year, all forms of private correspondence allowed, including phone calls at the institution’s discretion and off-campus recruiting contacts
  • D2: June 15 after junior year – can receive recruiting materials, telephone calls, and off-campus contact and make official, expense-paid visits; a college may only finance one visit to its campus for a prospective student-athlete
  • D3: contact permissible as stated after sophomore year
• Fall Semester:
  • Identify the level of college play that best suits your skill set
  • Refine your college list – this should have 5-10 realistic schools
    • Ask your Coach and Advisor for their input
    • Parents should be included in this conversation
      • The more proactive parents are, the better
  • All juniors must take the SAT and/or ACT twice (once with writing in their off season)
    • Keep in mind - some schools may also require subject tests
  • Complete online athletic recruiting forms
  • International students should take the TOEFL
  • Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Be sure to send ACT/SAT scores and transcripts
• Spring Semester:
  • All juniors must take the SAT and/or ACT with writing twice (in off-season)
  • Follow up with Advisor to make sure you’re taking the proper steps
    • Continue to refine and edit your college list
  • Take any unofficial visits while class is in session
  • Complete college online athletic recruiting forms 
  • International students should take the TOEFL
  • Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center
    • Be sure to send ACT/SAT scores and transcripts
  • End of year performance and college review with your Coach and College Advisor
    • Coaches, College Advisor, Student, and Parents should all be in agreement to the reality of what schools the student can attend

Senior Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines:
  • D1: Official visits available after opening day of classes senior year
  • D2: Official visits available after opening day of classes senior year
  • D3: Official visits available after opening day of classes senior year
  • Contact periods, quiet periods and dead periods apply via NCAA regulations
• Fall Semester:
  • Students and Parents: Familiarize yourself with college deadlines – some can be as early as mid-October. The majority are the end of the calendar year
  • Work closely with your College Advisor to make sure you’re on track with completing applications
  • Schedule official college visits
  • Review applications, essays, and ask for recommendations
  • Maintain frequent contact with narrowed list of schools
  • Make sure NCAA has all necessary documents if graduating early
  • Starting October 1, you can file for financial aid through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.gov
• Spring Semester:
  • Complete applications to schools with rolling admission
  • Receive acceptance letters and make a final decision!
    • Keep both your Coach and College Advisor informed
  • Send final transcripts and test scores to the NCAA
    • Your College Advisor can help with this
  • Finish the school year strong!
  • Best of luck in college! #IMGFAM

Additional information can be found at www.ncaa.org. Please visit the NCAA website for the most up to date and accurate information.