What should I know about the college baseball recruiting process?

I'm a junior thinking about playing baseball in college. How does the recruiting process work, and what should I be doing now to prepare? Also, how important are showcases and camps to get on a coach's radar?

The college baseball recruiting process can be an exciting and intricate journey. Here's an overview:

First, you should start by identifying the type of colleges you're interested in and the level of play you foresee yourself succeeding at, be it Division I, II, III, or the NAIA.

Then, research the baseball programs at these schools thoroughly - their past performance, their coaching staff, their player roster, and so on.

Now, it's a very good idea to create a sports resume. This should ideally include your academic stats (like GPA), as well as your sports statistics (like your batting average, ERA, etc.), a list of your athletic accomplishments, and any other relevant sports specifics.

After you’ve compiled all this information, you should start to reach out to college coaches. Email is commonly used for this purpose. In the email, briefly introduce yourself, express your interest in their program, and include your sports resume and a link to your personal highlight video if available. The video can be critical, as it allows coaches to see you in action.

Now, attending baseball camps, clinics, and showcases is indeed quite important. These events allow college coaches to watch you play in person, give you an opportunity to experience a bit of college-level training, and can sometimes lead to a direct dialogue with coaches. Be strategic when selecting events to attend — look for ones where coaches or scouts from your target schools might be present.

In terms of high school academics, keep in mind that NCAA schools have core course requirements that you must meet to be eligible for recruitment.

Lastly but most crucially, remember to ensure you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, or with the NAIA Eligibility Center if you're looking at NAIA schools.

While it's important to be proactive in the recruitment process, it's equally important to maintain a balanced view towards it - relish in your sport, focus on your academics, and keep open to a wide spectrum of post-secondary opportunities.

Good luck with your journey!