High School and College Pathways: Continuing the Journey

Charles D'Amico
Aug 15
6 min read

If you’ve made it this far — through the 10–12 development years and the middle school filter — you’ve already beaten some of the toughest odds in baseball.You’ve done the work. You’ve stayed healthy. You’ve kept the joy alive.

Now the conversation changes.

High school ball is here, and with it, the “what’s next?” questions start:

Will I play in college?
What division?
Can I get drafted?
Do I even want to play after high school?

The reality? Everyone’s path looks different. The starting point isn’t the story — it’s the starting point. And the “majors or bust” narrative? For some, it’s a driving force. For others, it’s not the point at all.

High School: The New Landscape

In some parts of the country — Florida, Texas, California — high school baseball feels like mini-college. Packed stands, radar guns, scouts in the bleachers.

In other areas, coaches are happy if they can fill a JV roster and get kids to practice after basketball season.

The difference matters because it changes the entry point into the next level:

In hotbed programs, competition is fierce from Day 1. Players might sit behind D1 commits for a year or two. The flip side? Playing time here carries serious weight with recruiters.
In roster-thin schools, making the team might not be as hard, but players have to work harder for exposure — often through travel teams, showcases, and summer ball.

Here’s the good news: both roads can lead to college baseball.

The Real Numbers: High School to College

Let’s talk odds — and let’s do it honestly.

According to the NCAA:

8.1% of high school baseball players go on to play NCAA baseball at any level (D1, D2, D3).
About 2.4% play at the D1 level.
Only 0.5% are drafted by MLB teams.

But here’s the catch — those NCAA numbers don’t count:

NAIA baseball (about 250 programs, ~9–10k players)
JUCO baseball (NJCAA, CCCAA, and other 2-year leagues — ~12–14k players)

When you add NAIA and JUCO into the mix, the real HS-to-college rate looks more like 11–12%. That means roughly 1 in 9 high school players ends up playing some form of college baseball.

That’s not bad odds — especially for those who make it through our earlier funnel as committed, healthy, motivated players.

Do the Numbers Matter?

Yes… and no.

Yes — because they give perspective. Baseball beyond high school is selective. You can’t just show up. You have to earn it.

No — because they’re averages, and averages don’t define individuals.The only percentage that matters is you — your work ethic, your skill set, your health, your adaptability.

You can be in a program that sends 10 guys to D1 every year and not play a single college inning. You can also be from a tiny rural school, put up numbers, get seen at a showcase, and end up in pro ball.

The “real numbers” aren’t destiny. They’re context.

College Pathways: The Big Three Routes

If you want to play after high school, you’ve got three main doors to choose from — and they each have their own vibe, strengths, and realities.

1. NCAA Baseball

Division I — The top tier in terms of exposure, facilities, and competition. About 300 programs nationwide.
- Scholarships are partial — most players are on some blend of baseball money, academic aid, and grants.
- Rosters are deep. A D1 freshman might sit a year before getting serious innings.
- The competition level is insane — the Friday night starter at a mid-major could easily be throwing 94+ with two plus off-speed pitches.
Division II — Strong competition, often with a better balance between athletics and academics.
- More chances to play earlier.
- Scholarships are also partial, but more evenly spread.
Division III — No athletic scholarships, but plenty of financial aid and academic money.
- Great for players who love the game but also want a college experience not dominated by athletics.
- Don’t underestimate D3 talent — plenty of guys get drafted from here.

2. NAIA Baseball

Around 250 programs.
Competition varies widely — some NAIA programs could beat solid D2 teams; others are closer to mid-level D3.
More flexibility in eligibility rules, often smaller class sizes, and a family-like atmosphere.
A great landing spot for players who bloom late or want a bigger role right away.

3. JUCO Baseball

Junior colleges are a huge part of the modern baseball pathway.
Two-year programs with 25–30 game schedules (some play 50+).
Perfect for:
- Players who need academic improvement.
- Late bloomers who need more development time.
- Guys who want to re-enter the recruiting pool in two years.
With the transfer portal, JUCO is no longer a “fallback” — it’s a legitimate launchpad. Plenty of D1 and pro rosters are loaded with former JUCO players.

The Transfer Portal Era

The NCAA transfer portal has completely changed the game:

College coaches now actively recruit JUCO transfers to fill immediate roster needs.
Players can move from D2 to D1, from NAIA to NCAA, and even back to JUCO to reset eligibility.

Translation? Your first college isn’t necessarily your last.It’s not “you picked wrong” — it’s “you found the right next step.”

It’s About Continuing the Journey

This is where mindset matters more than ever.

Some players treat the end of high school as the finish line — “I made varsity, I’m done.”Others see it as a checkpoint — “I’m just getting started.”

The ones who keep moving forward? They understand:

The journey is personal. Your tools, your body type, your mental game — they’re unique.
The goal can change. Maybe the dream was MLB, and you realize along the way that a great college career is your mountain top. Or maybe you find another gear and push further than you ever thought possible.
Every stop matters. The high school coach who taught you how to play the game right, the JUCO where you learned to grind, the summer ball team where you faced your first 95 mph fastball — it all stacks.

What Makes the Difference?

Not everyone has the same tools. That’s the beauty of baseball.Some guys have a cannon for an arm. Others have a bat that just finds barrels. Some run like deer. Others have instincts so sharp they’re always in the right spot.

The players who keep moving forward usually check at least three boxes:

Self-awareness — They know what they do well and what they need to work on.
Adaptability — They can adjust when the game changes speed.
Consistency — They don’t just have good days — they have a good every day routine.

The Majors: For the Few, But Not the Only Goal

Yes, MLB is the dream for many. It’s also the most selective professional sports league in the world.

Out of every high school senior baseball player:

About 0.5% will be drafted.
Of those drafted, the majority will never see an MLB field.

Does that mean it’s impossible? No. But it means the path is long and winding, and there’s honor — and joy — in every stop along the way.

Playing in college is rare. Playing in the minors is rarer. Playing in the majors? That’s the top of Everest. But here’s the thing — whether you summit or not, the climb is still worth it.

Stories That Prove the Point

Paul Skenes — Started at the Air Force Academy (not exactly a traditional baseball powerhouse), transferred to LSU, became the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft.
Tarik Skubal — Played at small-school Seattle University, missed significant time with Tommy John surgery, now one of MLB’s top pitchers.
Mookie Betts — Drafted in the 5th round, never the top high school prospect in his class, now an MVP.

Different starting points. Same end result: elite performance.

Parents: Your Role Now

The high school/college years change the parent role.You’re not driving to every practice anymore. You’re not the one packing the gear bag.Your job is to:

Support without smothering.
Ask about the experience, not just the stats.
Help them navigate big decisions without making them for them.

Players: Your Mindset for the Next Level

If you want to keep going:

Be coachable — every level brings new voices and perspectives.
Own your development — you won’t always have someone telling you what to work on.
Take care of your body — recovery, nutrition, mobility.
Keep the joy alive — the love of the game is fuel for the grind.

Closing Thought

High school baseball is not the end of the road. College baseball is not the only definition of “success.” The majors are not the only dream worth chasing.

The beauty of this game is that the journey looks different for everyone.Some paths are straight. Others zig-zag. Some climb quickly; others grind for years before breaking through.

The numbers can give you perspective, but they can’t predict your story.Your tools, your work ethic, your joy for the game — that’s the real equation.

Keep going. The next step is the best step — not because of where it ranks on some national stat sheet, but because it’s yours.