Improving Doran Still Looking For College Home

NATICK, Ma. - The GPA has always been there. Improved numbers in baseball now add to the resume of Carter Doran, an uncommitted senior outfielder.

“This summer I’ve gone to a lot of PBR events and the live streaming there has helped me,” noted Doran, who carries a 4.1 GPA on a 4.0 scale at Natick High School.

Salve Regina, Bentley, Clark University and Charleston in West Virginia are some of the schools that the 28th-rated 2021 outfielder in New England has been in contact with during the recruiting process.

“My coach has been saying Endicott and Southern New Hampshire are other schools I should check into,” Doran noted. “If nothing works out, I might look into PGing (Post Graduate School) to have another year to develop.”

The 5-10 165-pounder has made plenty of strides of late.

“I’ve spent a lot of time working this year on my swing, my approach to the ball and keeping balance through the whole swing and making sure my head’s not moving,” Doran pointed out. “I’m definitely more solid and consistent with my swing.

“On the defensive side of the ball, I’ve definitely improved. I’m a lot more aggressive with my first step.”

Dennis Healy, PBR Massachusetts Director of Scouting, sees a difference in the 195th-ranked New England senior.

“He’s a much improved player in the last two seasons,” Healy said of Doran, who is also the captain of his high school soccer team. “He is a good runner, the swing path has improved and he’s gotten physically stronger as well. He shows the ability to get off the baseball in the outfield and he plays hard.”

There is also some versatility to his game.

“I catch a little, too,” noted Doran, a center fielder and left fielder at Natick. “I have experience there. I did it to get more playing time on the legion team. I let colleges know if they need me there at catcher I’ll put the work in.”

College baseball has been in the picture since entering high school.

“It’s always been on the table but it started amping up my freshman year,” Doran said of playing ball at the next level. “I started club ball and that breeds you to be a college prospect. Guys I train with do a great job reaching out to colleges and doing stuff to help me improve.

“Last summer and this summer - when I knew I wanted to go to the next level - was when I started going to a lot of PBRs.”

Still, there is a feeling from Doran that colleges may be missing out on what he can do for a program.

“I pride myself in work ethic,” Doran said. “I’m always looking to improve. I take criticism from anyone that sees me play. Anything that will help me get better.”

There is one trait Doran sees as being beneficial wherever he ends up.

“The competitiveness I have as a leader,” Doran noted about what he can provide a college program. “I’ve been with the same team for three years now (MetroWest Devils out of Ashland, Ma.) and found a role as a leader. Whatever school I end up at, I hope to be a leader there.”

An exit velo of 91, a 60 time of 6.82 and an outfield velo of 84 are improved metrics the 5-10 165-pounder has shown.

“PBR does a great job with stats, comments and watching videos,” Doran said. “The first one I did was December of 2018 and I can see all the improvements on my profile, which is big.”

The hope is that colleges see it as well, no matter the level.

“Entering high school I was one of the better players in the area and I wanted to go D-I,” Doran reflected. “Once I started playing club I realized a lot of guys play ball and a lot are better so I’m thinking D-II might be best for me, or D-III.

“I feel there are some tremendous opportunities out there to get better with not as extensive pressure as D-I. There are more D-II and III locals around here, programs that are still tremendous and a lot that contend for a title every year and are known on the national level. I feel wherever I land, D-I, D-II or D-III, I can make it work.”

A decision could come soon.

“The colleges I’ve been talking with I think most will be wrapping it up at the end of September or October,” the 17-year-old noted. “So if something happens I want it to be before my birthday (Jan. 19), by the end of November or December. If nothing works out, I need to find a place to go for PG.”