3 Types of Players & Baseball Positions Best for Them

[@foundationsbaseball]

I’ve been growing my own private coaching business for the past two plus years and I’m trying to build a select program for the upcoming spring season. I just came across your videos and these are incredibly helpful. Kudos sir, you’ve got my subscription

[@waltnakonechny4548]

This is exactly why many teams (college and pro) will take three shortstops and figure out where they fit on the team rather than take a third baseman, shortstop and a second baseman.

[@DanBlewett]

100%

[@archie8109]

@@DanBlewett hi I want to be a baseball player and I was wondering if 14 is to late to make it pro in baseball and is first base good for a late bloomer

[@ThatGuySports1]

@@archie8109 never too late, and if u are really good at catching then 1st base is great

[@archie8109]

@@ThatGuySports1 but I'm from England

[@archie8109]

@@ThatGuySports1 yh it feels like I'm to late because look at tanner Carson started at a young age well then aging some people find there talent a tiny bit late

[@fah924]

Best advice I have heard in quite some time! Thank you for putting this together.!

[@wablackwell2]

Totally agree, but if you can play a higher skill position, they can tell if you would transition to something else at the next level. Mark Teixeira played 3rd in college, but transitioned to 1st in the MLB. LSU had Tre’ Morgan this year that was primarily a 1st baseman, but slowly transitioned him to LF so that he could have a chance at the next level. He was an outstanding athlete and defensive first baseman. (Definitely not common though to go from 1st to outfield at the next level.)

[@buddyryeSE]

Such a good explanation. I would study baseball cards as a youngster and emulate them in pickup games. I was a big Vince Coleman and Daryl Strawberry fan back in the day: 2 extremes that I didn’t fit into. 😅

[@DanBlewett]

vince coleman was so good in RBI Baseball. Bunt bunt bunt

[@Joe-nn1bg]

Beautiful presentation on the topic

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks!

[@stephendaniel168]

I was thinking about Nolan before the video started. From what I’ve heard from his coaches he was a very late bloomer and didn’t come into his leaner body type until really late in his career.

[@dkchillinmusic]

I don’t know what bin I’d fit in I’m a really good fielder, good reaction, good at tracking balls, good arm strength and accuracy. I’m not really a good hitter but also not a bad one either, little tweaks will make me an absolute beast. I’m also not fast but I’m fast for my size 5 foot 5 and 165. I’m 14 heading into high school. I play at 1st base, pitcher, and 3rd base

[@dkchillinmusic]

I’m also strong but I have a layer of fat all around my body

[@jjakeyy]

Dan, I played left field previous years but realized I am not as big and powerful as left fielders, I'm shorter and faster, would a move to center or 2nd be good?

[@DanBlewett]

sounds like maybe, yes.

[@markhorne8318]

Hey coach, I love you videos and how straight forward you are. I coach 12u rec ball and we are in our fall league now with the 1st game 2 weeks away. Any tips or prep for game day to get my guys going? Thanks

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks! I dont have a lot of warm up stuff on my channel yet but peruse my playlists and see if you find anything

[@collinmillerbaseball]

Great video as always Dan!!

[@DanBlewett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dio696]

Hey dan, I'm going into my freshman year, and I'm good at pretty much everything but there isn't much I am great at. I'm a bit above average height, but I can't find a position that I stand out at. Last year I played every position within a month. Will I need to pick a position and work on that, or should I continue working on playing anywhere. If I need to choose one, what should I focus on improving?

[@DanBlewett]

You probably do need to pick 1-2 and get really good there.

[@chuckhoyle1211]

My son is kind of in the same boat. He is a sophomore in HS (15) and until recently he was short for his age, but has caught up to be average height for his age and will probably top out at 6 foot thereabouts and is a righty. He is not skinny, but not fat either, but you can see how his frame can add muscle weight without getting too bulky. He is not fast, but has good reflexes. He usually plays somewhere in the IF and is never out of position and can pitch in a pinch. Because he was short for so long he never used to hit for any power, but he has started to flash some warning-track power this past Spring and Summer. Where he shines is at the plate. He is very patient and draws a lot of walks and almost never strikes out. On his Fall Ball team (mix of Freshmen through Varsity level players) he probably led his team in OBP and worked his way from hitting near the bottom of the lineup (started out with a lineup of Seniors first, then Juniors, etc...) to hitting at the top (usually 2 or 3 hole). Looked good hitting varsity-level pitching as a sophomore. Where do you see a player like this ending up as? I can see him playing 3B or 2B at varsity, but not sure beyond that.

[@michaelwhelton1078]

@@chuckhoyle1211 if he’s not fast but has good reflexes third is for him 👍🏿

[@harrymonster06]

@@chuckhoyle1211 Honestly I'm 15 and this sounds pretty much like me. When I was younger I played a lot of first base but I have been transferred over to third bc I'm not the biggest

[@mbeacom21]

My 12U kid is definitely in bin 1. Very athletic and scrappy, good fielder, and a great contact hitter, but hasn't hit puberty yet and doesn't have a lot of power. Right now he's pitching because he's young and can throw strikes but I think he should probably start to target 2nd base. Thanks for a great video!

[@DanBlewett]

at that age you shouldn't be targeting positions, but it's good to have eyes wide open just about the way things work.

[@mbeacom21]

@@DanBlewett Yeah, good point. Maybe better phrasing would be to starting thinking about 2nd base as a good option. Right now his coach still rotates positions to give all the kids the chance to learn them. My kid usually plays a base or center field when he's not pitching. Please keep the great content coming!

[@dr.stephenmatthewbecker8991]

Great information. At what age would start applying the this b/c body type can change after puberty

[@xanderelbayly6863]

I’m 12 and I pitch and play third base and outfield. I was the 4 hitter last season and I’m 5’ 9” and pretty slow. Am I at the right position?

[@DanBlewett]

You're 12 - just keep playing and learning new positions. You'll grow and a lot of your skills will change with your body.

[@rogueelitecs1229]

Hey Dan, im going into my first year of highschool and I play 1st base. It was the position that I chose to play since I was 6. Unfortunately, I do not fit the profile for a typical 1st basemen. I am a contact hitter(hit 2nd on my last team), I was the 3rd fastest player on my juniors team that went to the state tournament after winning district and am lanky and light for my height (135ish at around 5 feet 10 inches). Since I have been playing this position for so long, I have developed my flexibility and can almost do the splits when stretching for a ball in the dirt. I feel like I'm in a weird place because defensively I play really well at 1st, but my 0 home runs and 1 triple on the season shows that I don't belong at 1st. So, what position do you suggest I switch to if I where to switch. My glove is somewhere in between decent and good when it comes to ground balls, but not incredible and my speed helps when running for hard hit balls in the outfield. My arm is pretty accurate at close/medium range because my secondary position is pitcher.

Are you a lefty perchance?

[@DanBlewett]

sounds like you'd be better second baseman or centerfielder. Definitely won't last at 1st if you're not big and can't hit for power.

[@rogueelitecs1229]

@ Yeah I'm a lefty

[@DanBlewett]

its the outfield for you, then.

[@rslwannabe9475]

@@DanBlewett I have a question When i keep my hands back in the swing like alot of videos say, I have bat drag. But when i bring them in early i get into a jammed position with no bat drag. Why is this? I know you would have to see the swing, but do you have any guesses i can try? Could it be a mechanical back problem?

[@tierseason]

What about arm release as a factor for positions. Shortstops, second base, catcher and sort of third base need a quick release.

[@DanBlewett]

yeah but quick release is just technique - anyone can have a quick release.

[@tierseason]

@@DanBlewett True it just most people are not taught it.

[@redshirt1917]

Great information.

[@schenksteven1]

Super helpful video. How small is too small for a college catcher? My son is going into his senior year, is a great catcher (smart, good-to-great arm, solid backstop), but a little undersized (172 and 5'10"), very fast, and a solid contact hitter. His coach has been encouraging him to split time at center field for some of the reasons you outline in this video. I will share this with him.

[@DanBlewett]

I mean 5”10 170 isn’t tiny but if he’s fast and not otherwise impressing people then he may be better off elsewhere. But, he should play the position he loves. Otherwise college baseball probably won’t be fun.

[@schenksteven1]

@@DanBlewett Thanks. He is really hoping to put on a few more pounds this off season. He has had a few of the local colleges express some interest, and at this point it seems likely he will go the DII or JuCo route. But he loves the sport and wants to play til he can't. And to your point, he loves catching; he has a strategic mind and loves to stay engaged in the game that way.

[@digitalmdrealmd9124]

I played catcher at the AAA level (Mexican league) at 5'10'' 190, its possible but lots of work. He has to add muscle and be very strong for his size. As a smaller catcher you have to be an above avg hitter. Most programs will more likely take a shot on the bigger player everything else being relatively equal. I didn't hit a lot of HRs but hit over .300 with a bunch of doubles. Also, no shame in playing in a lower division, especially if its a good academic school. I played college at the NAIA level in the late 80s early 90s. We had 5 guys from my senior year team play pro ball, some D1 schools don't have any. Good luck to your boy.

[@GamingByThomas]

I’m 5’7 and 110ish and I play first and pitch and am an opposite field contact hitter so what would be a better position other than first for me

[@DanBlewett]

Middle infield or outfield probably!

[@joshyboy6386]

I'm 17, 170lb at 6 foot flat. What bin would I be in?

[@MrCctvtech]

Great topic.

[@mattwest8146]

Straight facts and great explanation. Nice video Coach 👍

[@DanBlewett]

thanks!

[@rslwannabe9475]

@@DanBlewett IS it healthhy to have a little bit of bat drag... Or should you have absolutely none?

[@MH-Tesla]

Very good advice.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

What type of kid plays pitcher? I don't think he talked about that

[@jaymanjay3.0]

I’m not sure you talked about pitcher and selecting that as a position.

[@teon.27]

hello coach dan i’m 5’10 138 i’m fast i can can catch my arm is ok but i wanna play 2nd basemen what do u think would be a good fit for me

[@DanBlewett]

2nd or the outfield sounds like it would be good

[@robgaskins2774]

hey coach! previously commented on a different video. I would like to get in touch. I believe that there is some potential I had, playing in college that i would like to tap into at the age i am now. I know that there is probably multiple comments that say " hey im THAT guy". I would really like to get into contact and send real Under Armour camp videos and tryouts (and college pitching videos) and potentially become a player that can continue my game for MONEY! thank you very much for the videos/ drills to get me back into my shape!

[@DanBlewett]

I am not taking clients.

[@sauljr.renteriaaguirre6049]

Hey coach dan what of your big body and slow but also short what should i play?

[@DanBlewett]

maybe third

[@josephmannix5120]

How do I get faster because I’m quick 5’8 and had a growth spurt a few years ago and my limbs are all over the place I’ve added muscle and worked on lifting allot which helps but idk how to improve my form

[@DanBlewett]

need to get stronger. Try my Early Work strength program.

[@josephmannix5120]

@@DanBlewett damn bro nil that was smooth you ever been a sales person before

[@DanBlewett]

I mean i dont care if you use mine or not, but strength is the answer.

[@josephmannix5120]

@@DanBlewett lol I’m just Messing with you I’m working on it though

[@jaymanjay3.0]

This is about a a year old but Aaron Judge screws all this up haha. Dude can play center field at 6”7 280 hahaha. Probably could play third and first if he tried. Amazing player.

[@MH-Tesla]

Most athletic is catcher. My opinion. It's silly to put the catcher as a slow big guy. He's got to block he's got to be super quick out of his stance to nab wild pitches and also retrieve the very few pitches that get past him. Needs to get to pop flies and bunts. Doesn't need to win in the 60 yard dash but better beat most guys in the 10 yard sprint. Not fast but ultra quick and athletic.

[@The_Schmizz]

I would agree but I think it's more reaction time then being fast necessarily. Fast is of course good for retrieving missed pitches but faster reaction can minimize the number of missed pitches to almost none.

[@aceiam112]

Agree on your catcher analysis. There has never been a great or championship baseball team without a great catcher. If you don't have a really good catcher (and he doesn't have to have the range of a SS or CF, just be an outstanding catcher), then you are going to have a better team even if you put that SS behind the plate. To classify the catcher position with 1B is ludicrous. I thought it was a great video (as are most of his I've seen) until he ranked catchers with big, slow 1B. A catcher certainly doesn't need to be big. He needs to explain his reasoning on this. Until he does, then I say he's dead wrong.

[@kRy-ps5jz]

Underrated 👑

[@shayndapain]

I disagree about catcher. I think you can bet by as a third bin player at catcher, but the best catchers are more two bin guys.

[@DanBlewett]

Okay.

[@ryansgot]

If you can't think of an ideal shortstop not named "Francisco Lindor," you should bring up Ozzie Smith or Omar Vizquel.

[@my2l]

Mike trouts defense has declined the last few years, his jump was the worst of all outfielders last year, maybe a shift to the corners is in his future considering his recent injuries as well.

[@DanBlewett]

yeah could be in his future for sure; everyone declines at some point

[@tierseason]

How old are most people when their body type is fully developed and it is easier to determine what position you can play?

[@DanBlewett]

maybe 17-18 but even then you're not "fully" developed until probably 22

[@tierseason]

@@DanBlewett So it takes a while to be 100 percent sure which type you are even though you can get an idea.

[@shaundhagler]

👍🏿👍🏿👏🏿👏🏿🤛🏿⚾️

[@joeyprice5224]

The most athletic position: pitcher

[@BillGiugliano]

David Wells enters the chat.

[@backyardblitzball7654]

First

[@stephenwhitney2666]

Congratulations

[@DanBlewett]

its quite the honor

[@noahhannon2305]

-baseman