In this episode, I sit down with Nate Cole, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Harvard University, to talk about what it actually takes to play baseball at one of the most selective schools in the country.
Nate walks through Harvard’s recruiting process, what they look for academically, how they evaluate players beyond stats and rankings, and why being a great student alone is not enough to play at the Division 1 level.
We also get into the development side of Harvard baseball, including how Nate works with pitchers, how they use technology and data, why some players need more simplicity instead of more information, and what separates players who succeed at the college level.
This conversation is especially valuable for players and families who want to understand the balance between academics, baseball ability, work ethic, and finding the right fit in the recruiting process.
Topics Covered:
What Harvard looks for in baseball recruits
How academics filter the recruiting process
Why GPA, SATs, and AP classes matter
The importance of challenging yourself early in high school
How Harvard evaluates players in person
Why Harvard recruits nationally for small classes
What families misunderstand about Ivy League recruiting
Why being “an Ivy League kid” is not specific enough
The type of player Harvard baseball wants
Why players need to be self-driven
How Nate develops pitchers at Harvard
Using technology, data, and video in player development
Why some players overthink and need to simplify
The role of passion, work ethic, and love for baseball
How baseball can open academic opportunities
The biggest mistakes families make in recruiting
Why fit matters more than logos, rankings, or scholarships
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