By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

In the last week, two freshmen from Wisconsin verbally committed. Already, nine 2018 prospects from the Prep Baseball Report’s 20-state coverage area have named their schools, with several more sitting on offers.

That blows my mind, on multiple levels.

These nine players are undoubtedly talented, and likely will develop into big-time players. But they are freshmen, baby-faced freshmen who have yet to play a high-school game at any level, much less varsity. No one knows how they will develop, physically, mentally, emotionally. Projecting upside is hard enough, but doing so with 14- and 15-year-olds whose only experience with puberty is reading about it in Sex Ed class is recruiting roulette. Put the chips on red, spin the wheel and hope for the best.

College coaches at the most competitive levels are in a difficult position. I’ve talked to a lot of guys who hate the breakneck pace of recruiting, but if they don’t do it, someone else will. Move fast or get beat on prospects. Eat or be eaten.

From a coach’s perspective ...