Gwynn cites learning ability as recruit quality

San Diego State University baseball coach Tony Gwynn will be seeking top San Diego area players, as well as high school seniors and junior college transfers from elsewhere in the nation, to play on future San Diego State University baseball teams. During a San Diego Hall of Champions luncheon January 26, Gwynn spoke on his recruiting focus.

“I spend a lot of time on recruiting, because if you want to win a College World Series you’ve got to get the best guys,” he said.

Talent is only one component of the process in seeking players. The recruiting of the most talented players may go for naught since those are often the ones drafted by professional organizations and offered signing bonuses.

“In my three years going into this year I’ve lost 15 guys,” Gwynn noted.

“That’s part of the game. I knew that coming in,” Gwynn remarked. “You’re going to lose some guys every year. You almost have to plan on losing some guys.”

Gwynn, who took over as the Aztecs’ head coach in 2003 after serving as a volunteer assistant to Jim Dietz in 2002, has adjusted his recruiting strategy. “This year I’ve kind of changed it up a little bit,” he said.

Gwynn explained that now he seeks the best players and the players who are the easiest to teach. “I think I’m getting the best guys here in town,” he remarked.

“I’ve concentrated the last two years just kind of staying around Southern California,” Gwynn noted. “Recruiting takes a lot of time.”

Gwynn stresses personal contact in his recruiting process. “We’re pretty straightforward,” he remarked.

He tells recruits about the university as well as the baseball team. “By the time I leave, you’re going to know what’s on the table,” he said. “I’m going to try to sell them on that.”

Gwynn played 20 years for the San Diego Padres but spent parts of three seasons in the minor leagues. He sometimes shares that experience with recruits deciding between college and a pro contract. “I can’t make that decision for them. I can tell them what’s going to happen,” he noted. “Minor league baseball is nothing like people think.”

In addition to long bus trips, minor league baseball does not include some of the guidance provided by college coaches, and Gwynn explained that ultimately the player is the one who will need to take steps to improve. “The one thing that the kids see are the dollar signs,” Gwynn said of pro contracts.

Gwynn notes that most high school pitchers have a fastball and only one breaking pitch. In addition to increasing the number of breaking pitches, Gwynn believes that pitch location is also a key to success at higher levels. “I’m a big believer in pitching inside. You’ve got to be able to pitch inside to have success,” he remarked.

On the college side, Gwynn also has the obstacle of the university’s minimum 2.5 grade point average and 850 SAT score. “When you’re coaching, we kind of get locked into the baseball aspect of it,” Gwynn noted.

College players must not only meet university admission requirements but also maintain academic eligibility while in college. “There are certain things you’re going to have to do just to get the opportunity to play baseball,” Gwynn remarked.

During the fall semester, when off-season baseball practice is limited, all 38 of Gwynn’s 2005 players maintained academic eligibility. Gwynn notes that meeting academic requirements will be tougher now that the college baseball season has begun.

Gwynn relies on 1987 Fallbrook High School graduate Mike Sweet, who is the Aztecs’ Director of Baseball Operations, to ensure the eligibility of his players. “He’s the tutor guru,” Gwynn said of Sweet. “He’s the guy who makes them get up when they’re on the road to go to study hall every day.”