Quick answer: College baseball recruiting rewards players who keep their grades up, know which level fits them, reach out to coaches directly with honest video and a short introduction, and get seen in person at the right camps. You don’t need an expensive recruiting service, but you do need a plan that starts early.
Key takeaways
- Grades open more doors than velocity. Eligibility and admission come first.
- There are many levels of college baseball. Finding the right fit matters more than the logo.
- Coaches want to hear from players directly, with short video and an honest self-assessment.
- Junior college is a smart route for many players, not a fallback.
The levels of college baseball
Families often think of college baseball as only the big Division I programs on TV. In reality there are several levels, and each one can lead to a degree, development and sometimes a professional opportunity.
- NCAA Division I: the largest athletic budgets and the most competitive rosters. Scholarship and roster rules for Division I changed in 2025 after the House v. NCAA settlement, so ask each program how it funds its roster.
- NCAA Division II: strong competition and partial scholarships, often with more playing time. Coach Su’a’s Cal State Dominguez Hills teams competed at this level and sent 21 players to the MLB draft.
- NCAA Division III: no athletic scholarships, but competitive baseball and academic and need-based aid.
- NAIA: a separate association of smaller colleges that can offer athletic scholarships.
- Junior college: two-year schools, including California Community College Athletic Association programs, where players develop and often transfer to four-year schools.
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Academics come first
Every level has an academic gate. For NCAA Division I and II, players must complete a set of approved core courses in high school (English, math, science, social science and more), earn a minimum core-course GPA and register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Division I also expects most core courses to be completed before senior year.
The practical advice is simple: meet with a school counselor in ninth grade, make sure classes are on the NCAA-approved list, and treat every semester as part of recruiting. A strong transcript also unlocks academic scholarships, which can matter more than athletic aid.
What coaches look for
- Tools: arm strength, bat speed, running speed and, for pitchers, velocity and command.
- Baseball sense: knowing where to be, playing the game the right way and making adjustments.
- Makeup: how a player handles failure, treats teammates and responds to coaching. Coaches watch body language as closely as stats.
- Grades: a player who is admissible and eligible is a safer bet.
A grade-by-grade plan
Ninth grade
- Meet your counselor and map out core courses.
- Build a strength, speed and skill routine.
- Play as much quality baseball as you can, and keep notes on your progress.
Tenth grade
- Create a short skills video and a one-page profile with grades, position, measurables and contact information.
- Make a realistic list of schools across several levels.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if Division I or II is a goal.
Eleventh grade
- Email coaches at the schools on your list with your video, schedule and transcript.
- Choose camps at schools you are genuinely interested in, rather than every showcase available.
- Take official tests if the schools on your list require or consider them.
Twelfth grade
- Follow up with coaches, schedule visits and compare financial aid offers.
- Keep your grades up through graduation. Final transcripts matter.
- If the right four-year fit isn’t there yet, look seriously at junior college programs.
Writing to a college coach
Keep it short. Introduce yourself in two or three sentences, include your graduation year, position, school, grades and a link to video, and say specifically why you are interested in their program. Coaches read hundreds of emails, so personal and specific beats long and generic.
Junior college: a smart route
As head coach at West Los Angeles College from 2017 to 2020, Coach Su’a helped more than 40 players move on to four-year schools. Junior college gives players time to get stronger, play a lot of games and improve their grades, and four-year coaches recruit junior college players heavily.
Frequently asked questions
When should my child start the recruiting process?
Start thinking about it in ninth grade: take the right classes, keep grades up and build skills. Most active outreach to college coaches happens in the sophomore and junior years, and NCAA rules limit when Division I and II coaches can contact players, so check the current NCAA recruiting calendar for baseball.
Does my child need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
Players who want to compete at an NCAA Division I or II school need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Division III schools set their own admission standards and do not require certification, though a free profile account is available.
Is junior college a good option?
Yes, for many players. Junior college baseball offers playing time, development and a chance to raise grades, and many players transfer to four-year programs after one or two years.
Do we need to pay a recruiting service?
No. Many families pay for services they don’t need. A clear academic record, honest video, a short email to coaches and the right camps or showcases will do more than an expensive package.
Need help with recruiting?
Coach Murphy Su’a mentors high school athletes through the recruiting process. Reach out through our contact form, or sign up for a free clinic.