Presented by Florida Diamond Recruiting Services (FDRS)
Welcome to The Recruiting Roundtable—the podcast where players, parents, coaches, and scouts come together to talk real baseball recruiting. Hosted by former players and trusted advisors from Florida Diamond Recruiting Services, each episode dives into the truth about the college recruiting journey—what works, what doesn’t, and what every high school athlete needs to know.
We bring you real conversations with college coaches, JUCO legends, committed athletes, and mental performance experts. From timelines to transcripts, showcases to social media, emails to evaluations — nothing is off the table at the Roundtable.
If you’re a ballplayer chasing the next level or a parent looking for clarity in the chaos, this is your recruiting blueprint.
Episode 9: Inside D1 Baseball Recruiting: What Coaches Really Want with FAU’s John McCormack
The conversation delves into the evolution of college baseball recruiting, the scouting and evaluation process, and the impact of new NCAA rules on recruiting. It also covers the recruitment of high school players, JUCO players, and transfer portal players, providing insights into the changing landscape of college baseball recruiting. The conversation delves into the intricacies of college baseball recruitment, emphasizing the importance of playing and enjoying the game, opportunities for movement and growth, physical preparedness, predictability, honesty, transparency, preparation, and fit for college baseball.
Takeaways
Recruiting has evolved with the use of technology and data analytics.
The scouting process involves evaluating players' skills, character, and potential fit within the team. Play because you love it
Be physically prepared and predictable
Honesty and transparency are crucial in the recruitment process
Chapters
00:00 Evolution of College Baseball Recruiting
03:06 Scouting and Evaluation Process
07:31 Recruiting High School Players
09:31 Recruiting JUCO Players
12:48 Transfer Portal Recruiting
21:10 Impact of New NCAA Rules on Recruiting
24:24 Navigating College Baseball Recruitment
25:21 The Importance of Playing and Enjoying the Game
26:19 Opportunities for Movement and Growth
30:03 Physical Preparedness and Predictability
38:57 Honesty and Transparency in the Recruitment Process
48:53 Preparation and Fit for College Baseball
25 Aug 2026
Episode 8: D2 Recruiting, Development & the Future of College Baseball with NSU Head Coach Eric Cruz
The conversation covers Coach Eric Cruz's journey to becoming the head coach at Nova Southeastern University, his background in baseball, the impact of influential mentors, and the transition from coaching to professional scouting. It also delves into the recruiting philosophy, common mistakes made by parents and players, and the implications of the new five-year eligibility rule in college baseball. The conversation covers various aspects of college baseball recruiting, including player evaluation, team dynamics, roster management, and the importance of finding the right fit for student-athletes. Coach Cruz emphasizes the significance of character, academics, and teamwork in the recruiting process, highlighting the role of showcases and camps in player development and recruitment.
Takeaways
Mentorship and influential figures play a significant role in shaping a coach's career.
The new five-year eligibility rule in college baseball will change the landscape of recruiting and the overall brand of baseball.
Patience is crucial in the recruiting process, and players and parents should avoid comparing their journey to others.
Recruiting philosophy emphasizes the importance of finding players who fit the program's philosophy and are good people, good students, and willing to serve the community. Player evaluation and recruitment focus on more than just skill set, considering factors like character, academics, and teamwork.
The importance of finding the right fit for student-athletes, emphasizing the role of showcases and camps in player development and recruitment.
Chapters
00:00 Journey to Head Coach
03:04 Transition and Influential Mentors
07:19 Championship Pedigree and Coaching Philosophy
08:13 Transition to Professional Baseball
12:06 Recruiting Philosophy and Common Mistakes
21:45 New Five-Year Eligibility Rule
27:29 Recruiting Philosophy and Player Evaluation
28:38 Evaluating Character and Team Dynamics
29:33 Impact of Legislation on Recruiting Process
31:08 Roster Management and Recruitment Needs
35:43 Role of Showcases and Camps in Recruiting Process
38:20 Advice for Players and Parents in the Recruiting Process
43:20 Importance of Fit and Development Plan
46:29 Pathways to College Baseball and Recruitment
10 Jun 2026
Episode 7: 🎙️Recruiting Tools vs. Recruiting Teams | Mike Silvestri
Mike Silvestri discusses the importance of a personalized recruiting plan, proper evaluation, and targeted approach in the player recruitment process. He emphasizes the value of tools such as the digital player profile and readiness index calculator, as well as the need for credibility and targeted outreach. Mike also highlights the significance of avoiding misguided recruitment efforts and the need for a targeted approach and guidance in the recruiting landscape.
Takeaways
A recruiting profile is not a recruiting plan
Exposure alone is not enough for player recruitment
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Recruiting Roundtable
05:24 Tools for Player Recruitment
11:21 Player Development and Real Recruiting Opportunities
17:46 Avoiding Misguided Recruitment Efforts
4 May 2026
🎙️Episode 6: What College Baseball Coaches Really Want | Mike Cassidy of Marymount University
The conversation covers the world of Division III baseball, including the opportunities it offers and the importance of effort and attitude. It delves into the coach's background, program overview, recruiting process, culture, player development, and preparation. Additionally, it provides insights into the recruiting timeline, strategies, and tips, as well as the non-negotiable traits for players.
Takeaways
Division III baseball opportunities
Importance of effort and attitude
Recruiting process and timelines
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Division III Baseball
07:32 Culture and Program Standards
13:31 Player Development and Preparation
23:30 Recruiting Timeline and Process
41:27 Non-Negotiable Traits and Conclusion
7 Mar 2026
🎙️Episode 5: NAIA Recruiting with Coach Jorge Perez (Head Coach, St. Thomas University)
The conversation with Jorge Perez covers his background, coaching journey, and the recruiting process at St. Thomas University. It delves into the program's culture, Team USA experience, Bobcat culture, player recruitment criteria, recruiting high school players, and the integration of technology in the recruiting process. The conversation covers the importance of data consistency in player evaluation, the use of technology for player assessment, exploring opportunities in NAIA baseball, the value of different pathways in baseball, and the support provided to players in finding opportunities.
Takeaways
Recruiting Process
Program Culture Data consistency is crucial
The use of technology in player evaluation
Chapters
00:00 Jorge Perez's Background and Journey to St. Thomas University
06:23 Bobcat Culture and Player Recruitment Criteria
18:39 Recruiting Process and Technology Integration
26:21 Exploring NAIA Baseball Opportunities
32:37 Supporting Players and Finding Opportunities
22 Jan 2026
🎙️Episode 4: Interview w/ Tyler Younger (Head Coach, Gulf Coast State College Baseball)
The conversation with Tyler Younger, head coach of Gulf Coast State College, covers the world of junior college baseball and the recruiting process. It delves into the JUCO path, player evaluation, statistics, and the role of camps in recruiting. The discussion provides valuable insights for parents and players interested in the junior college baseball experience.
Takeaways
Junior College Baseball
Recruiting Process
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
06:39 Recruiting and Player Development
23:30 Player Evaluation and Statistics
31:32 Role of Camps in Recruiting
13 Jan 2026
🎙️ Episode 3: From Overlooked to Committed – The Boisvert Brothers’ Journey
The podcast features Cody and Cole Boisvert, freshman pitcher and catcher at Maryville University, discussing their recruiting process. The conversation covers the challenges, networking, geographical considerations, evaluation, effective communication, campus visit, parental role, efficiency, and the level of play in Division III baseball. Key takeaways include the challenges of the recruiting process and the importance of academics in recruiting.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
What it’s like to be a talented player who feels overlooked
Common recruiting mistakes families make early
The role film, academics, and outreach play together
Why recruiting takes time and consistency
What the commitment moment actually felt like
Advice for players and parents still waiting for their opportunity
The conversation with Mikayla Santa Cruz covers her background in softball, the college transfer experience, and the importance of academics in the recruiting process. It also delves into the changes in softball recruiting rules, early recruiting pressure, the role of athleticism and academics in softball, priorities in softball recruiting, mentoring and consultation in recruiting, and the support available for softball players through Florida Diamond Recruiting Services.
Takeaways
Softball recruiting process
Importance of academics in recruiting
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Mikayla Santa Cruz
05:18 How Michael and Mikayla Connected
11:11 Changes in Softball Recruiting Rules
18:47 Priorities in Softball Recruiting
25:17 Equipped to Support Softball Players
6 Dec 2025
🎙️ Episode 1: The State of College Recruiting in 2025
In this kickoff episode of The Recruiting Roundtable, FDRS founder Mike Silvestri breaks down the evolving landscape of college baseball and softball recruiting. From roster reductions and the transfer portal to JUCO pathways and scholarship realities, Mike explains why the recruiting process has never been more complex and how families can navigate it successfully.
You'll learn:
Why D1 roster spots are shrinking — and where players are landing instead
How FDRS evaluates, projects, and places athletes nationwide
The role of academic money, JUCO programs, and the "freshman impact" philosophy
Why managing expectations and starting early are now essential
Whether you're just starting your journey or looking for clarity in a shifting system, this episode sets the foundation for what’s ahead on the Recruiting Roundtable.
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