Hello, I’m Dean Stotz. Stanford Baseball Camp Coach and Stanford Baseball staff for over 35 years. Today I’d like to share some college recruitment myths I’ve seen throughout my time in baseball and some knowledge I’ve learned to avoid them along the way. These insights reflect what coaches actually value when evaluating players at Stanford Baseball Camps and beyond.
1) “If my child is good enough, coaches will find them.”
Somewhat true, but incomplete. With today’s phones and video access, it’s harder to be a true “hidden gem.” At the same time, that means college coaches now have ten times more video to sift through.
Coaches recruit aggressively, but within limited time, budgets, and staff size. Athletes who market themselves well help their cause, but great performance and success on the field still trump everything. Exposure helps, performance seals the deal.
2) “Scholarships are plentiful.”
Reality: Even in today’s Division I baseball world, where programs can offer up to 34 full scholarships, only a small handful actually do. Most college baseball programs are partially funded.
Scholarships are routinely split among many players, and many athletes receive little or no athletic money at all. Families must understand this early to avoid unrealistic expectations.
3) “Only Division I matters.”
Reality: Outstanding baseball development occurs at Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior colleges—often with better fit and opportunity.
In today’s transfer-portal environment, the goal should be to play early and often. If you perform well at the D2 or D3 level, transfer opportunities will be plentiful if competing at the D1 level is still your goal.
4) “Recruiting is all about stats.”
Reality: Coaches evaluate tools, projectability, instincts, competitiveness, and makeup—not just numbers.
I was often leery of stats because my question was always: Who was he doing it against?
“I can hit every pitcher in my league except one.” Guess what, that one pitcher is who you’ll be facing at the next level.
As a coach, I had far more success with an 85-mph high school pitcher who could change speeds, spin a breaking ball, and command the strike zone than a 92-mph pitcher who dominated with velocity alone but never developed command or secondary pitches. When that 85-mph pitcher gets to college and his velocity jumps to 93—with command and pitchability, you have a star.
5) “If a coach is interested, an offer is coming.”
Reality: Interest is not a commitment. Until something is in writing (or formally agreed upon), nothing is guaranteed.
Coaches must remain interested in multiple players while evaluating fit and timing. Just as a high school player explores multiple schools, college coaches need the same flexibility.
6) “You need to specialize in one sport early.”
Reality: Many college coaches prefer multi-sport athletes because of their athleticism, competitiveness, and lower burnout risk.
Personally, I loved recruiting baseball players who also played football. There was almost always a level of toughness and competitiveness that showed up between the lines.
7) “Highlight videos should be long and flashy.”
Reality: Coaches want short (3–5 minutes), simple, honest video that shows game- relevant skills. No coach is spending five minutes on an initial video. I was always looking for actions more than results. Funny thing—I never received: A pitcher giving up a home run. A catcher throwing a ball into center field. A baserunner getting thrown out. A hitter striking out. If you only showed the best five golf swings from my round, I’d look pretty good. The other 90 would tell you I’m average at best.
PS: D2 and D3 coaches rely on video way more than D1 programs as their budgets are way more limited. These realities are often misunderstood by families new to the recruiting process and are part of why in-person evaluation opportunities still matter when reviewing camp schedules.
8) “Recruiting ends senior year.”
Reality: Recruiting happens earlier and later than most parents expect. Don’t get caught up in the comparison game: “So-and-so committed, so I need to hurry.” Just play—and let the process unfold. I was always amazed when great students chose schools where they could have been admitted with a GPA a point and a half lower. Reap the rewards of your work in the classroom—you owe that to yourself.
9) “Parents should handle communication with coaches.”
Reality: Coaches want to hear from the player, not the parent. The athlete—not the parent—is the one I’m coaching. I need to understand the player’s personality, how he communicates, and whether he fits our culture. Parents matter, but knowing your son matters more.
PS: If an athlete didn’t respect his parents, I wanted no part of coaching him.
10) “The biggest name school is the best choice.”
Reality: The best fit is where the athlete can develop, play, graduate, and be happy—not where the logo is biggest. Find a coach you trust—one who cares about the whole person, not just the baseball player. Never choose a school unless you have complete confidence that the coach can develop you on and off the field. That philosophy has guided Stanford’s approach to player development for decades.
Final Thought for Parents
Recruiting is not a race or a ranking. It’s a process of finding the right fit academically, athletically, and personally. The more informed parents are, the calmer—and more effective—the journey becomes. If you have questions about the recruiting process or how camps fit into it, we encourage you to reach out directly.
