Here we go with another unpopular truth.
While being a utility player makes a player very valuable to the team they are playing on, being a utility player does not really help you get recruited. This flies in the face of what many people believe – but there’s a reason it’s true.
When a college coach looks at a player, they don’t start out looking for someone who can play a bunch of positions pretty well. They want the very best players they can find at whatever position they play.
The old saying about “Jack of all trades, master of none” rings true for many college coaches.
Consider this, too: Do you really want to be evaluated at your second or third best position? It’s unlikely that a player is equally talented at many different positions. I want to see a kid play her best position. Then I can decide if she’s going to play that position for us, or if her skills are go enough for me to move her to another position.
That being said, many players who get recruited to play a specific position in college do become utility players in their college program. Often, this player is the kid who is a very strong offensive player who can play several different positions. In this case, it’s her bat that really keeps her in the lineup more than the fact that she can play a bunch of defensive positions.
The bottom line is simple: If you can hit or run, you’re probably going to be in the lineup. While you are getting recruited, it’s best for you to be seen playing the position you play the best.
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