"College Baseball Recruiting Checklist by High School Grade"

By: 1Top Prospect - Volume 11

"No two recruiting journeys look the same—but staying organized, consistent, and proactive is what separates recruited athletes from overlooked ones."

The college baseball recruiting process isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey—but if you want to play at the next level, it’s critical to be proactive early and often. Here’s your grade-by-grade checklist to stay on track, stay visible, and stay recruitable.

Freshman Year (9th Grade): Build the Foundation

• ✅ Focus on academics—grades matter from day one

• ✅ Begin strength and speed training

• ✅ Join a reputable travel or club team

• ✅ Attend local college games to observe the level of play

• ✅ Start gathering game footage

• ✅ Create a baseball recruiting profile on platforms (FieldLevel, SportsRecruits)

• ✅ Set up athlete-only social media pages to highlight skills, stats, and progress

• ✅ Begin understanding NCAA recruiting rules (dead periods, contact dates, etc.)

• ✅ Create a list of dream, target, and realistic schools

  
  

Goal: Build your skills and establish a strong academic and athletic base.

Sophomore Year (10th Grade): Get on the Radar

• ✅ Maintain strong grades (GPA, core course requirements)

• ✅ Begin recording and editing quality game highlight videos

• ✅ Continue posting video's and updates to baseball profile sites

• ✅ Continue posting video's and updates on social media sites

• ✅ Attend college camps from your target list and select showcase events

• ✅ Reach out to coaches with introduction emails and video links, include profile URL

• ✅ Research programs and begin narrowing your college list

• ✅ Track communication rules for D1, D2, and D3 schools

  
  

Goal: Gain exposure and start showing up on coach radars.

Junior Year (11th Grade): Go All-In

• ✅ Maintain strong grades (GPA, core course requirements)

• ✅ Send regular updates to coaches (stats, videos, achievements)

• ✅ Schedule unofficial visits and meet with coaches when possible

• ✅ Attend invite-only (by head, assistant, & recruiting coaches) camps / select showcases

• ✅ Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center

• ✅ Register for the NAIA Eligibility Center

• ✅ Take the ACT/SAT and submit scores to schools

• ✅ Continue posting video's and updates on baseball profile sites

• ✅ Continue posting videos and updates on social media sites

• ✅ Ask for honest evaluations from trusted coaches or recruiting advisors

• ✅ Begin narrowing down options and building real relationships with coaches

  
  

Goal: Turn interest into offers—This is your pivotal year—focus on turning conversations into commitments.

Senior Year (12th Grade): Seal the Deal

• ✅ Finish strong with your grades (GPA, core course requirements)

• ✅ Finalize official visits and communicate regularly with top-choice schools

• ✅ Respond promptly to interest and offers

• ✅ Commit (verbally or officially sign) when the time and fit are right

• ✅ Finish strong academically and meet all eligibility requirements

• ✅ Stay in shape and keep performing

• ✅ Celebrate the hard work, but stay focused—college ball is a whole new level

• ✅ Submit transcripts to college

• ✅Submit transcripts to NCAA or NAIA

  
  

Goal: Secure your roster spot and make a smooth transition.

Final Tip:

No two recruiting journeys look the same—but staying organized, consistent, and proactive is what separates recruited athletes from overlooked ones. Start early, stay focused, and lean on trusted guidance when needed.

Looking for guidance through the recruiting process?

At 1Top Prospect, we specialize in turning potential into offers. As the Midwest’s #1 College Baseball Recruiting Service—with a proven 100% signing rate—we’re the go-to team for getting athletes noticed, recruited, and ready to compete at the next level. When it comes to college baseball recruiting in the Midwest, we set the standard.

*Bonus - Downloadable check lists on our website www.1topprospect.com - under the "More" tab, then look for the "Free Recruiting Checklist Document" listed by grade.

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Athletic Edge and Wellness, Illinois Baseball Edge, and 1Top Prospect in Algonquin IL. are your professional throwing partners in elite baseball/softball performance and arm care through the continuum of ages and competition levels.  We offer team and hyper-personalized private instruction to help players move better, maximize training progressions, and more efficiently navigate the college recruitment process.  Our services include player centric training on elements such as velocity, command, secondary pitch, arm care, recovery (including Normatec), physical therapy, performance therapy, strength and mobility, and consulting that provides personal attention to student-athletes on their collegiate recruiting journey.  These services are offered under one roof.  Come experience the difference with a professional staff that is world class, tightly aligned, and able to collaborate for superior results.