What Do College Coaches Look For?

Definitely a loaded question! The data below will give you a better idea of what coaches look for in a player from a measurable standpoint as well as general, playing experience guidelines. That said, there is so much more. Coaches want players they do not have to babysit in the classroom. They want players who post responsibly on social media. They want players who are good teammates and who play the game the right way. If you do not know what "the right way" is, ask! The most important lesson I have learned from being a recruit and from helping a number of athletes be recruited is coaches are always looking for a reason NOT to offer you a scholarship.

First, let's take a look at general playing experience:

NCAA DI
• 3–4 years of High-Level Travel Baseball, 3-4 Years as HS Varsity Starter

• All-Conference, All-Area, All-State Honors
NCAA DII
• 2–3 years of High-Level Travel Baseball, 2–3 Years as HS Varsity Starter
• All-Conference, All-Area, potential All-State Honors
NCAA DIII and NAIA
• 2–3 years of Travel Baseball, 1-2 Years as HS Varsity Starter
• All-Conference, All-Area Honors
JUCO
• 2–3 years of Travel Baseball, 1-2 Years as HS Varsity Starter
• All-Conference, All-Area Honors

Remember, these are general guidelines!

Now let's take a look at some ballpark measurables by position:

Pitcher

NCAA DI
• Pitch Velocity 84mph to 95+mph
• Command of at Least 3 Pitches
• ERA Below 2.00
• >1 K/Inning Pitched
• <1 BB/2 Innings Pitched
NCAA DII
• Pitch velocity 82mph to 90+mph
• Control of One Offspeed Pitch and 1 Additional Pitch Thrown to Spots Consistently
• ERA below 3.00
• 1 K/Inning Pitched
• 1 BB/2 Innings Pitched
NCAA DIII/NAIA
• Pitch Velocity 77mph to 82mph
• Control of at Least One Offspeed Pitch and Developing Another

• ERA of 2.50 to 3.50
• 1 K/Inning Pitched

JUCO
• Pitch Velocity 80mph Consistently

• ERA Below 4.00
• 1 K/Inning Pitched

Catcher

NCAA DI
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 185–200 lbs.
• Strong Catch and Throw Mechanics, Pop Time 1.95 or Below Consistently
• Leadership and Ability to Work With Entire Pitching Staff
• Strong Bat, OPB of .500 or More w/Slg Pct. of .600 or More
NCAA DII
• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• OBP: .450 w/Slg. Pct of .550
• Pop Time: 2.0 and Below Consistently
NCAA DIII/NAIA
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• OBP: .400 w/Slg. Pct. of .500
• Pop time: 2.0 – 2.1
JUCO
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 170 lbs.
• OBP: .350 w/Slg. Pct. of .450
• Pop Time: 2.1 or below

1st Basemen

NCAA DI
• Height: 6’2’’–6’6’’
• Weight: 190–240 lbs.
• Power Numbers: 5-10 HR, OBP .500 Slugging .750 As a Junior and Senior in High School
NCAA DII
• Height: At least 6’0”
• Weight: At least 180 lbs.
• Demonstrate the ability or potential to hit for power

• Power Numbers: 5+ HR's, 30+ RBI's as a Junior and Senior in High School
NCAA DIII/NAIA
• Height: 6’0″
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• Power Numbers: 3+ HR, 25+ RBI
JUCO
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 170 lbs.
• Power Numbers: 2+ HR, 20+ RBI

3rd Basemen

NCAA DI
• Height: 5’10’’–6’3’’
• Weight: 180–220 lbs.
• Infield velocity: 85 MPH – 95 MPH
• Power Numbers: 5–10 HR's w/ OBP .500 and Slg Pct of .750 as a Junior and Senior in High School
NCAA DII
• Height: 5’9″–6’3”
• Weight: 170–220 lbs.
• Infield Velocity: Min. 80 MPH w/Growth via Development
• Power Numbers: Min 2 HR's, OBP .400 w/Slg Pct of .500
NCAA DIII/NAIA
• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• Power Numbers: Min 2+ HR, 25+ RBI as Junior and Senior in High School
JUCO
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 170 lbs.
• Power Numbers: Min 2+ HR, 20+ RBI as Junior and Senior in High School

Middle Infielder

NCAA DI
• Height: 5’8″–6’2″
• Weight: 165–190 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 6.5–6.8
• Infield Velocity: Between 85 MPH – 95 MPH
• Power Numbers/Batting Ave: Typically Middle Infielders hit for both High Average and Power w/OBP while Sluggin .600
NCAA DII
• Height: 5’8”–6’2”
• Weight: 165–190 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 6.9 or below
• Infield Velocity: Low 80's+ MPH from SS
• Power Numbers: OBP: .550 w/ Slg Pct of .500 Minimum
NCAA DIII/NAIA
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 170 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 7.0 or below
• Infield Velocity: 78+ MPH from SS
• Power Numbers: OBP: .400 w/ Slg Pct of .450
JUCO
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 165 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 7.1 or below
• Infield Velocity: Upper 70s+ MPH from SS
• Power Numbers: OBP: .350 w/Slg Pct of .450

Centerfielder

NCAA DI
• Height: 5’9’’–6’2’’
• Weight: 175–210 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: below 6.7
' Outfield Velocity: 87+ MPH

• Power Numbers: OBP: .500 w/Slg Pct of .600
NCAA DII
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: below 6.9

' Outfield Velocity: 83+ MPH
• Power Numbers: OBP: .450 w/Slg Pct of .500
NCAA DIII/NAIA
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 6.9 or below
• Outfield Velocity: 80+ MPH
• Power Numbers: OBP: .400 w/Slg Pct of .500
JUCO
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 170 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 7.0 or below
• Outfield Velocity: 78+ MPH
• Power Numbers: OBP: .350 w/Slg Pct of .450

Corner Outfielder

NCAA DI
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: below 6.8
• Outfield Velocity: 87+ MPH
• Power Numbers: Min 5+ HR's as a Junior and Senior in High School along w/OBP of .500 and Slg Pct of .750
NCAA DII
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: below 7.0
• Outfield Velocity: Low 80s+ w/ Potential Growth
• Power Numbers: Multiple HRs as a High School Junior and Senior
NCAA DIII/NAIA
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 6.9 or below
• Outfield Velocity: 80+ MPH
• Power Numbers: OBP of .400 w/Slg Pct of .650
JUCO
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 170 lbs.
• 60-yard Dash: 7.0 or below
• Outfield Velocity: 78+ MPH

Remember, all measurables, Pitch Speed, IF and OF Velocity and 60 Yard Dash Times must be verified by an Independent Source such as WP Baseball, Perfect Game, etc...