If you've been researching recruiting events for your baseball player, you've likely come across Prep Baseball Report — better known as PBR. It's one of the most referenced names in high school baseball scouting, and families often hear about it from travel ball coaches, other parents, or recruiting forums. But what PBR actually does, how much it costs, and whether college coaches pay attention to the data are questions most families can't answer clearly. This article breaks all of that down.
What PBR is and how showcases work
Prep Baseball Report is a scouting and player-ranking organization that operates in more than 40 states. Unlike a single national event, PBR runs on a state-by-state model: each state has its own PBR scouting team that tracks high school and travel ball players locally throughout the year. They attend games, run showcase events, and produce written scouting reports on individual athletes.
A PBR showcase is an evaluation event where players perform measurable athletic tests in front of PBR scouts. The core measurements include:
- Fastball velocity — the speed of a pitcher's fastball, measured by radar gun in miles per hour.
- Exit velocity — how fast the ball comes off a hitter's bat, also measured in mph. Higher exit velocity generally means more power.
- 60-yard dash — a timed sprint that measures a player's raw speed. This is the standard speed test in baseball recruiting.
- Pop time (catchers only) — the time from when a pitch hits the catcher's glove to when the ball arrives at second base on a throw. Measured in seconds; under 2.0 is strong at the high school level.
- Home-to-first time — how long it takes a batter to run from the batter's box to first base after making contact. Indicates game-speed quickness.
After the showcase, each player receives a profile on the PBR website with their verified measurables, a written scouting report, and a ranking within their state and graduating class. PBR also covers high school and travel ball games throughout the season, so a player's profile can grow over time as scouts see them compete in live settings — not just in a controlled showcase environment.
Do college coaches actually use PBR data?
Yes, but the answer depends on the division level. PBR data gets the most traction with coaches at D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO programs. These coaches have smaller scouting budgets and fewer staff members on the road watching games. They use PBR state rankings as a filtering tool — a way to identify players worth watching before investing time in a phone call, a film review, or a trip to see them play.
D1 coaches are aware of PBR and will occasionally reference a player's PBR profile, but they rely more heavily on in-person evaluation at national-level events like Perfect Game tournaments and on-campus prospect camps. At the D1 level, coaches have the budget and staff to see players themselves, and they trust their own eyes over third-party rankings.
The practical way to think about it: PBR rankings are a discovery tool, not a final evaluation. A strong PBR ranking can get your athlete noticed by a coach who wouldn't have found them otherwise. It won't, by itself, earn a scholarship offer. Coaches use the data as one input among many — film, academic profile, in-person evaluation, and positional need all factor in.
PBR showcase costs and what you get
A typical PBR showcase costs between $200 and $500 per event. Some states run premium showcases or invitation-only events at higher price points. For that fee, your athlete receives:
- Verified measurables recorded by PBR scouts
- A written scouting report with strengths and areas to develop
- A state ranking within their graduating class
- A public profile page on the PBR website that coaches can access
When PBR is a smart spend:
Early in the recruiting process — sophomore or early junior year — when your athlete has no verified third-party data. If you have no measurables to put in front of a coach, a PBR showcase gives you concrete numbers to include in outreach emails and a profile link coaches can review on their own time.
When PBR is redundant:
If your athlete already has verified numbers from Perfect Game or another credible showcase organization, paying for a PBR event to get a second set of similar data may not add much. The exception is if your athlete is targeting programs in a state where PBR has strong coach relationships and visibility.
For context on why every dollar matters: D1 baseball programs share just 11.7 scholarships (equivalency, meaning they're split across the roster), so even D1 baseball programs rarely offer full rides. Most recruited players receive partial athletic aid combined with academic money. Spending wisely on showcases is part of the broader financial calculus.
These three platforms serve different segments of the recruiting market. Choosing the right one depends on where your athlete realistically fits.
| Platform | Cost per event | Coach attendance | Data / rankings | Best for |
|---|
| PBR | $200–$500 | Strong at state level; D2/D3/NAIA coaches actively monitor | State rankings, verified measurables, written scouting reports | Athletes targeting D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO programs; players who need verified data early in recruiting |
| Perfect Game | $350–$750 | National gold standard; highest D1 coach attendance of any platform | National rankings, PG grades, comprehensive player profiles | Athletes with legitimate D1 talent; families willing to invest in national-level exposure |
| Headfirst | $695–$895 | Focused on academic-oriented programs; D3, Ivy League, Patriot League coaches | Combines baseball evaluation with academic positioning and school matching | Strong students targeting academically selective D3 or Ivy-caliber programs |
A few notes on the comparison. Perfect Game is the platform D1 coaches trust most, and their events draw the largest number of college scouts at the highest level. If your athlete has D1-level tools, Perfect Game is the priority investment. PBR fills a different niche — it's more accessible, less expensive, and better connected to the coaches who recruit at the D2/D3/NAIA level where the majority of college baseball players actually land. Headfirst occupies its own lane entirely: it pairs athletic evaluation with academic advising, and it's built for families where the school's academic profile matters as much as the baseball program.
Most families don't need all three. Pick the one that matches your athlete's realistic recruiting level, and invest there first.
When PBR fits your recruiting timeline
The sweet spot for a PBR showcase is sophomore year through the fall of junior year. Before sophomore year, your athlete's measurables aren't mature enough to present a meaningful picture — a 14-year-old's velocity and exit velocity will change substantially. After junior year, most coaches have already built their recruiting boards for that class, and new data may arrive too late to change anything.
Here's how PBR fits into the broader baseball recruiting timeline:
Sophomore year:
Attend a PBR showcase to establish baseline measurables. Use the profile link and data in initial outreach to coaches — it gives them something concrete to review. This is the stage where PBR adds the most value, because most athletes don't yet have verified numbers from other sources.
Junior year (fall/winter):
If your athlete's numbers have improved, a second PBR showcase can update the profile and potentially move their state ranking. Reference updated measurables when emailing coaches — include the PBR profile link directly in your message so coaches can click through and see verified data without having to search for it.
Junior year (spring/summer):
At this point, layer in additional platforms if needed. If your athlete is getting D1 interest, a Perfect Game event makes sense. If they're targeting academic schools, consider Headfirst. PBR data from earlier showcases still supports the profile, but live evaluation at games and prospect camps becomes the priority.
The bottom line
PBR showcases fill a real need in baseball recruiting: affordable, state-level exposure with verified data that coaches — particularly at D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO programs — actually use. They're not the right fit for every athlete, and they're not a substitute for in-person evaluation at the college level. But for families looking to establish measurable credentials early in the process, a $200–$500 PBR event is one of the more efficient investments available.
The key is using PBR data as a tool, not an end point. Get the numbers, put them in your athlete's profile, reference them when reaching out to coaches, and then follow up with campus visits and prospect camps where coaches can see your athlete compete in person. If you're still mapping out which programs to target, our guides to the baseball recruiting timeline and D1 baseball programs can help you build a realistic list. And for the NCAA calendar that determines when coaches can attend showcases and evaluate — the framework that makes timing your PBR events so important — see our NCAA baseball recruiting calendar.