Division I

The typical Division I baseball player is ‘polished’ and seems to already have all the tools necessary to be successful as a freshman. As opposed to the Division II baseball player, the typical DI player needs far less development, if any. The position players possess at least 4 of the 5 measurable tools – hit for average, hit for power, arm strength, speed, and defensive abilities. The pitchers display a command of at least 3 pitches with high velocities. On average, they have the ability to throw many innings, and most often they are only used on the mound and rarely as position players. Most D1 players come from large high schools. Many of these programs are considered the best in their area or in the State. In addition, most DI players have been awarded accolades such as All-Area, All-County, or All-State.
The average characteristics by position are as follows:

Right Hand Pitchers:

  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 180 Pounds
  • Over 1 K per Inning Pitched
  • ERA below 2.50
  • Velocity: 88-90 MPH (Verified by neutral source)

Left Hand Pitchers:

  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 180 Pounds
  • 1 K per Inning Pitched
  • ERA below 2.50
  • Velocity: 84-86 MPH (Verified by neutral source)

Centerfielders:

  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 170 Pounds
  • 60 Yard: 6.8 (Verified)
  • Velocity for OF: 86-87 MPH (Verified by neutral source)

Middle Infielders:

  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 175 Pounds
  • 60 Yard: 6.8-6.9 (Verified by neutral source)
  • Velocity from INF: 85+ MPH (Verified by neutral source)

Catchers:

  • Height: 5’10″+
  • Weight: 180 Pounds
  • Pop Time: Sub 1.95 (Verified by neutral source)

Corner Infielders:

  • Height: 6’2″
  • Weight: 200 Pounds
  • Power Numbers: 8+ HR, 30+RBI

Division II

For some colleges, especially those in the Southern States and out on the West Coast, DII Baseball is an extension of DI. There are very few differences between the typical West Coast or Southern DII player and the average DI player. For the DII schools up North, the athletes may be a notch below the average DI and perhaps a little less polished. They may not throw as hard, play for the top high schools programs, or possess at least 4 of the 5 measurable tools. This is not always the case, as there are some very solid DII Baseball Programs up North. However, it is no secret that overall, the better baseball schools are those located in warmer climates.
The Minimum Requirements by position are as follows:

Right Handed Pitchers:

  • Height: 6’0′ (Preferably taller)
  • Weight: 175 lbs
  • Averaging about 1K per inning pitched
  • ERA below 3.00
  • Velocity: 85 MPH

Left Handed Pitchers:

  • Height: 5’10’ (Preferably taller)
  • Weight: 165 lbs
  • Averaging about 1K per inning pitched
  • ERA at 3.00 or below
  • Velocity: 83 MPH

Centerfielders:

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 165 lbs
  • 60 Yrd Time: 6.8 or below

Middle Infielders:

  • Height: 5’9″
  • Weight: 165 lbs
  • 60 Yrd Time: 6.9 or below
  • 79-80 MPH from SS

Catchers:

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 180 lbs
  • Pop Time: 2.0 or below

Much can be determined on film. It is very difficult to measure defensive abilities on paper. Fielding percentage cannot be used as an accurate statistic because it is difficult to calculate and it can be easily manipulated. Most Division II players have received several accolades, such as All Conference or All Area.

Division III

Some DIII programs are stronger than others, but there seems to be more continuity with the physical characteristics of DIII players than there are for DII or NAIA. Certain DIII programs, such as Wisconsin Whitewater or George Fox, play at a superior level. However, for the most part, the range of physical characteristics was slim.
The Minimum Requirements by positions are as follow:

Right Handed Pitchers:

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 170 Pounds
  • 1 or less than 1 K Per Inning Pitched
  • ERA below 4.00
  • Velocity: 83 MPH

Left Handed Pitchers:

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 165 Pounds
  • 1 or less than 1 K Per Inning Pitched
  • ERA below 4.00
  • Velocity: 81 MPH

Centerfielders:

  • Height 5’10”
  • Weight: 165 Pounds
  • 60 Yard Dash: 7.0 or below

Middle Infielders:

  • Height: 5’9″
  • Weight: 165 Pounds
  • 60 Yard Dash: 6.9 or below

Catchers:

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 175 Pounds
  • Pop Time: 2.1 or below

NAIA

The discrepancies in characteristics are very severe when it comes to NAIA baseball. Some NAIA schools are playing at a DII level, while others are competing at a lower DIII level. NCSA found a mix of D2 criteria and D3 criteria make up the recruiting guidelines for this league.

Junior College Baseball:

Unlike the NAIA, Junior Colleges do have 3 divisions for the purpose of separating stronger JC programs from the weaker ones. While there may be somewhat of a drop off in talent between Division III Junior College and Division I and Division II Junior Colleges, there is little difference between DI and DII Junior Colleges. Many of the Junior College players lack the ‘polish’ to be considered DI players coming out of HS, but they already possess the necessary physical tools to be successful at the DI level. All they need to do is harness and polish those skills. The GPA’s of most of the Junior College athletes are lower than those attending 4 year schools, suggesting that these athletes need to two years to mature academically as well.

Preferred Grades for All Divisions:

3.0 GPA + 24 ACT + 1000 SAT (out of 1600)
(No scores needed for underclassmen)

Schools Offering Baseball
NCAA Division I 291
NCAA Division II 242
NCAA Division III 373
NAIA 188
Junior College 398
Total 1,492

Athletic Scholarship Opportunities
Division I (per school) 11.7
Division II (per school) 9
NAIA (per school) 12
NJCAA (*varies per school) 24

Student-Athlete Participation
NCAA Division I 10,039
NCAA Division II 8,278
NCAA Division III 11,169
NAIA 5,903
Junior College 10,179
HS Student-Athletes 477,430

Note: Division III schools offer merit, academic, and need-based scholarships.