The Recruiting Game Has Changed – Is Your Son Ready?

If you’re a parent navigating the college baseball recruiting process, you’ve probably heard about the transfer portal. You might be wondering:

• Is this good or bad for high school recruits?
• How does it change my son’s chances of getting an offer?
• What do we need to do differently?

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Many parents feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with recruiting changes. That’s exactly why I created a free 20-minute recruiting webinar—so you can get clarity on how to position your son for success, even in today’s competitive recruiting landscape.

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Now, let’s break down the truth about the transfer portal and what it means for your son’s recruiting journey.

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What Is the Transfer Portal? And Why Should You Care?

The NCAA Transfer Portal allows college athletes to enter their name into a database and explore transfer opportunities at other schools. Originally designed to give college players more freedom, it has completely reshaped recruiting—especially for high school players.

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How It Affects High School Recruits

• More college transfers = fewer spots for high school players. Many coaches now fill roster spots with experienced transfers instead of high school recruits.
• Recruiting is more competitive. A high school senior is now competing against a college sophomore for the same spot.
• The timeline has shifted. Some coaches wait to recruit until they see what happens in the portal, meaning fewer early offers for high school players.

Think of it like job hiring: If a company can hire someone with years of experience instead of a high school graduate, who are they going to pick?

This means high school players need a stronger recruiting strategy than ever before.

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Three Major Recruiting Challenges the Transfer Portal Creates

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1. Fewer Scholarship Offers for High School Players

Before the portal, most rosters were built around high school recruits. Now, coaches are using their scholarship money to land proven college transfers.

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Who this impacts most:

• Players who are good but not “elite” in high school.
• Players without strong connections to coaches.
• Players who wait too long to start recruiting.

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What to do instead:

• Create a strong highlight video that stands out.
• Use a targeted email strategy that gets responses.
• Get the right exposure through well-chosen showcases and camps.

Want help crafting the perfect recruiting email? Access my Recruiting Platform with proven and effective resources and templates!

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2. Coaches Prioritizing "Proven" Players Over Potential

With the pressure to win immediately, many college coaches prefer transfers with college-level experience over high school players who may need time to develop.

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Who this impacts most:

• Players who haven’t played in highly scouted events.
• Players who are still developing physically.

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What to do instead:

• Show measurable proof of your son’s skills, such as exit velocity, pop time, and 60-yard dash times.
• Make sure highlight videos include both game action and skills-based clips.
• Consider JUCO as a stepping stone to gain experience and transfer up.

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3. The Recruiting Timeline Has Changed

In the past, recruiting followed a predictable timeline. Now, with the transfer portal in full swing, everything has shifted.

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What’s changed?

• Coaches are recruiting later, waiting to see what happens in the portal.
• Fewer players are committing early.
• More players are choosing JUCO first to keep options open.

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Who this impacts most:

• Players who assume they have time to get recruited.
• Families without a clear recruiting plan.

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What to do instead:

• Start earlier than you think. Don’t wait until junior or senior year.
• Have a clear recruiting plan by sophomore year (or sooner).
• Keep your options open—JUCO, NAIA, and D2/D3 programs can be great stepping stones.

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Not sure where to start? I’ll walk you through the right steps inside my free 20-minute recruiting training. Click Here to Register.

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What This Means for Your Son’s Recruiting Strategy

The transfer portal has changed the game, but it doesn’t mean your son is out of options. It just means he needs a smarter approach.

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What the Most Successful Families Are Doing Now

• Getting on the radar earlier. The best recruits aren’t waiting—they’re reaching out now.
• Positioning their son as a “low-risk” recruit. Highlight videos, metrics, and references from trusted coaches make it easier for a coach to say yes.
• Exploring multiple pathways. JUCO, NAIA, and D2/D3 can all lead to higher levels of play.

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Want a simple, proven strategy to get your son recruited? Join my free 20-minute training.

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Final Thoughts: The Players Who Win the Recruiting Game

The players who succeed in this new recruiting landscape aren’t always the most talented.

They are the ones who:

• Start early.
• Market themselves well.
• Adapt to the changing recruiting world.

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If your son wants to play college baseball, he can—but only if he plays the recruiting game the right way.

I’m here to help. Join my free 20-minute training and let’s get your son on the right track before it’s too late.

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