Callis’ take

July 3, 2009 – 6:10 pm

Jim Callis of Baseball America believes college baseball coaches have it far worse than their counterparts when it comes to recruiting.

“I always laugh when you hear the college football and basketball coaches talk about how difficult their life is,” Callis said. “They have more scholarships than they really need players and baseball has 11.7 (scholarships). Literally every one of your recruits, unless it’s transfer from a four-year school is draft eligible.”

Coaches have to guard against recruiting the very top prospects because of fear losing them to major league baseball.

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn took a chance on signing current third baseman Zack Cox, who was rated as the No. 24 prospect by Baseball America last year but knew of Cox’s strong desire to attend college. Because scouts were aware of Cox’s thoughts toward attending school, he wasn’t taken until the 20th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Zack Cox was a coup because I think if he indicated that he would sign, he probably would’ve been a second round pick,” Callis said. “But if you recruit too many guys like Zack Cox, you might lose them and your recruiting class gets decimated. You really don’t know if your class is decimated until early August if you have guys sign late. You can’t got out and replenish players at that point.”

 

The exposure at the College Baseball World series can only help Arkansas’ recruiting efforts this year and the near future, according to Callis.

“Lets face it,” Callis said. “The one time you’re really visible is in college baseball is the college world series. Every game you play in Omaha is on ESPN live. That only helps your recruiting. Arkansas is a program under Van Horn and Todd Butler and the staffs are not only trying to recruit Arkansas and the surrounding states, they recruit pretty much throughout the Midwest and all over. “

Arkansas’ dramatic win over Virginia in extra inngs is sure to stay in the minds of baseball fans and recruits.

“The Virginia game was just a classic,” Callis said. “It wasn’t a championship game but it was a game that if you were watching I don’t think you could turn off.  I think a lot of people thought Cal State-Fullerton had a great chance to win up there and they just smacked Fullerton around. I think that can only help.”