Coaches Roundtable: Justin Pettigrew Southern Arkansas University

January 12, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

All college programs have different ways to evaluate talent and come to their final decision on who to recruit and when they recruit them. I have sat down with Coach Justin Pettigrew from Southern Arkansas University to discuss how his program works through the recruiting process.

PBR: At what grade do you start evaluating players for recruiting purposes?

Coach Pettigrew: At Southern Arkansas University we usually start evaluating players for recruiting purposes during their junior and senior years. We usually don’t start as early as a player’s sophomore year due to the developmental process. Once the recruiting process begins, it is important to cultivate a personal relationship with each player and his family. We have to make sure the student-athlete has a winning mentality on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. There are always those late blooming players that get overlooked until late in the process that may be a huge reward for our program.

PBR: What are some of the biggest factors for you to recruit a student-athlete?

Coach Pettigrew: The initial factor for recruiting a student-athlete is a particular skill set that will be a good fit for our program. We look for athletic players that may be able to play multiple positions and players that possess “difference maker” tools. After the initial evaluation, academics play a huge role in the recruiting process. With scholarship limitations for baseball, it is vital for us to find the true student-athlete. After a player passes the “eye test” and we have gathered academic information, it is important to make sure the student-athlete has strong character. A player must have a championship mentality on the field, in the classroom, and in the community to succeed in our program.

PBR: What are some of the reasons you would not recruit a student athlete?

Coach Pettigrew: The #1 reason would be character flaws. When we go to evaluate a player we are paying attention to the small details that may pop up as possible character flaws. How do you deal with adversity? How do you treat your teammates and coaches? How do you handle success? How do you compete when things aren’t going well? Players never know who may be watching for the first and/or final time. How do you want to be remembered? Just like every coach in America, we also keep an eye on what is being posted on social media. We have passed on players that have thrown up red flags by things they have posted. We need student-athletes that will represent Southern Arkansas University with character and class.

PBR: What is the one skill a position player must have for you to recruit them and why?

Coach Pettigrew: We look for BASEBALL PLAYERS! A lot gets lost in the numbers game of 60 times, arm strength velocity readings, and exit speed readings. Those are great tools, but it boils down to does the skill set show up when the game is on the line. With that being said, athleticism would have to rank at the top of the chart. If we have athletes all over the field on defense it will make things difficult for the opposition to score. On the offensive side, we want as many athletes in the lineup to apply constant pressure on our opponent. Our program has had great success developing explosive athletes into well-rounded players.

PBR: What do you value more from a pitcher, pitch-ability or power and why?

Coach Pettigrew: Pitch-ability is a must! Pitching is all about disrupting the hitter’s timing and rhythm. If a pitcher can’t command the fastball and at least one secondary pitch, he won’t be successful in our program. We want a variety of pitching styles to create match-up problems for our opponents. Don’t get me wrong, we have had our share of big power arms and draft picks at SAU. Most of those guys have been guys with good pitch-ability that could command multiple pitches and have developed in our program with a lot of hard work.

PBR: What advice do you have for student athletes that have a desire to play college baseball?

Coach Pettigrew: Make a REALISTIC list of your top 5 schools that are a match for you academically, athletically, and socially. Every student-athlete can’t play at Virginia, Vanderbilt, or UCLA. Being a big fish in a small pond may benefit you more than just being another number on the roster. After making your top 5 list, send an email of interest to those schools with video attached and attend showcases or camps on those campuses.

Coaches Roundtable: Justin Pettigrew Southern Arkansas University

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