- D1: Big stadiums, big budgets, national TV. Ultra-competitive. Few spots. Coaches recruit early.
- D2: Still very competitive, but more balance. You can get money and playing time faster.
- D3: No athletic scholarships, but tons of academic/financial aid. Great option for guys who want to play and focus on academics.
- JUCO: Two-year grind. Development-heavy. Tons of dudes get drafted or transfer up. Perfect if you’re a late bloomer or need to prove yourself.
- NAIA: Smaller schools but still solid baseball. More scholarship flexibility than you think.
The truth? There’s great baseball at every level — the right fit is about where you can develop and get on the field.