The New College Baseball Recruiting Timeline
May 05, 2025
One of the biggest mistakes I see families make in the recruiting process is misunderstanding the timeline.
- Some panic too early.
- Some wait way too long.
Most don’t actually know what timeline college coaches are on.
This week’s article is all about correcting that — and giving you a real plan, based on what coaches are actually doing, not what random people on Facebook say.
Note: For more about the new recruiting timeline, check out my latest podcast episode:
Let’s walk through it:
Freshman Yeah: Build a Foundation
This isn’t the time to “get recruited.”
It’s the time to build a foundation that’ll make recruiting possible later on.
What should your son be doing?
- Learning how to train with purpose
- Getting stronger and faster
- Developing skill and plate discipline
- Focusing in the classroom
- Watching college baseball (yes, actually watching it)
Freshman year is when you do the boring work that no one wants to post about.
But it’s what creates real separation two years down the road.
Biggest mistake I see: Parents start spending money on camps and showcases. Not needed.
If anything, just go to 1 PBR showcase.
Sophomore Year: The First "Recruiting Awareness" Year
This is your son’s first “recruiting awareness” year. Not because coaches are banging down your door — but because you need to start doing your homework.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Research schools based on academics, size, and fit
- Visit nearby campuses — even if you’re not being recruited
- Start watching different levels of college baseball
- Build a target school list and revisit it every 3–4 months
- Get on Twitter and start posting highlight clips (clean, visible, easy to watch)
Optional: Go to one PBR showcase for baseline metrics.
If your son isn’t hearing from coaches — that’s normal.
D1 coaches can’t contact you yet.
Biggest mistake I see: Only focusing on D1. Casting a wider net now gives you more options later.
Junior Year: When Recruiting Becomes Real
The lights turn on August 1.
This is when recruiting becomes real. But here’s the part no one tells you: most D1 programs already know who they’re going after by then — especially Power 4s and strong mid-majors.
So here’s what to focus on:
- Reach out to coaches at all levels — D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO
- Keep posting quality video and updated PBR metrics
- Go to a targeted camp only if the program is actively recruiting your son’s position
- Be aggressive, but smart. You’re now in “marketing mode”
This is also when I do a lot of the heavy lifting with my players — identifying the right fit, opening doors, and using my network to actually get them in front of coaches.
Biggest mistake I see: Going to 6 camps “just to get exposure.”
If the coach doesn’t know who your kid is before the camp, it’s probably not going to move the needle.
Senior Year: Keep Moving Forward
Still uncommitted? Still okay.
D2s, D3s, NAIA, and JUCOs are still recruiting well into spring. But you need to keep moving forward — no waiting around, no comparing your journey to someone else’s.
Keep doing this:
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Stay in contact with coaches at the right levels
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Keep posting updated video + performance clips
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Stay locked in academically
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Don’t take silence personally — coaches are swamped
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Keep sending emails, following up, and being respectfully persistent
Biggest mistake I see: Only chasing D1. Most D1 schools are done by now. That’s just reality.
Final Thought: Have a Real Plan
The recruiting process isn’t fair.
The best player doesn’t always get recruited first.
But the families who win — the ones who find a great college fit and come out of this process excited — they’re the ones who have a real plan.
You have to treat this like a 2–3 year journey, not a last-minute panic.
And that starts with knowing what year you're in and what that year is actually for.
If you want to see where your son stands right now — and whether we’d be a good fit to work together, here’s the link to book an evaluation call:
👉 Book an evaluation call with Patrick
I’ll give you honest feedback, tell you what level I think your son fits at, and help you decide what your next move should be.
Let’s get this right.