Maximize Your Playing Time in College Baseball

3 Ways to Maximize Your Playing Time

1. Fit the Positional Mold at Your School

Every coach has different preferences when building their roster. Some prioritize speed and on-base percentage, while others value power and slugging.

For example, if you’re a fast, contact-hitting shortstop who consistently gets on base, and your goal is to play as a freshman, you’ll want to find a program that values that profile. If the team typically recruits power-hitting shortstops, it might not be the best fit right away.

You don’t need to change your game to fit a program—but if you choose a school where your current playstyle aligns with what they’re looking for, you’ll have a better chance to contribute immediately. Changing your play-style takes time—maybe a year or more—so choose a fit that lets you be impactful from day one if you want to maximize your playing time from the get-go.

2. Learn Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Baseball is a game of adjustments. No one succeeds every day, especially over a long season. The best players learn from failure and make adjustments.

This doesn’t mean obsessing over uncontrollables—like when a pitcher makes three perfect pitches. It means identifying patterns—like rolling over breaking balls—and working to correct them, for example by learning to drive those breaking balls on a line to the outfield.

Turn your weaknesses into strengths.

3. Build Your Capacity for a Lot of Baseball

The “off day” can be a trap. If your offseason is filled with days off, how can you expect to handle the rigors of a season with 4–5 games a week?

From my experience, consistent training—hitting, throwing, lifting—helps your body adjust to the grind of the season. Of course, recovery is important, but training consistently builds your resilience.

Train past your comfort zone. Simulate the demands of the season. There will be days you’re playing after long bus rides, doubleheaders, or late nights. Train while a little tired so you’re ready to perform when you’re fatigued during the season.

– Sam