When I coached Division I baseball, one thing I learned was that some of the best college baseball opportunities aren't necessarily at Division I schools.

Emory in Atlanta is a program I want more recruiting families to know about.

You're talking about a highly selective university with a Division III baseball program that has competed on the national stage.

For an athlete who takes both baseball and academics seriously, Emory deserves a closer look.

Here's where its recruiting classes currently stand.

2027 | 5 Commit:

• Bennett Johnston - RHP
• Hudson Tittle - OF
• Lincoln Bump - OF
• Jake Saltarelli - RHP
• Grady Cothrum - RHP

2028 | No Commits Yet

2029 | Wide Open

That doesn't guarantee available roster spots, but it gives families a reason to learn more about the program and its recruiting timeline.

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A D3 program with a serious baseball history

Emory isn't just a strong academic school with a baseball team.

The Eagles have reached the Division III College World Series six times and finished as national runner-up twice.

In 2025, Emory returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017, finishing 28-16.

The Eagles followed that with a 20-20 record in 2026, including an eight-game winning streak and victories over nationally ranked WashU.

And there's something else I like about this program.

Head Coach Bobby Perez knows Emory baseball.

Before becoming head coach in 2024, he spent 16 seasons on the coaching staff and helped guide the Eagles to three consecutive College World Series appearances from 2014 through 2016.

That's valuable experience, especially at a program where academic demands and competitive baseball both matter.

What makes Emory different?

When I coached Division I baseball, I saw plenty of talented players focus almost exclusively on the division next to a school's name.

But here's something I always want parents to understand:

Division III doesn't automatically mean an easier level of baseball.

At programs like Emory, you're still competing against talented players who have spent years developing their game.

The difference is the overall college experience.

At Emory, your athlete could have access to:

• Strong academics: A highly selective private university with an acceptance rate around 10%.
• Individualized learning: A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
• Competitive baseball: A program with national postseason experience and an established coaching culture.
• Atlanta opportunities: Access to internships, professional connections, and career opportunities in a major city.

One important financial consideration: Division III programs cannot offer athletic scholarships. However, families can explore academic scholarships and other institutional financial aid, depending on eligibility.

That's an important part of evaluating a school like Emory, especially with annual tuition exceeding $60,000.

Is Emory worth adding to your athlete's list?

If your athlete is academically strong, wants competitive college baseball, and values the education just as much as the sport, I would absolutely encourage taking a closer look at Emory.

But here's where families need to be strategic.

A program's history doesn't tell you whether it needs another outfielder, catcher, infielder, or pitcher in your athlete's graduation class.

And a recruiting class with few known commitments doesn't automatically mean the coaching staff has open roster spots.

You need to understand what the coaches recruit, how your athlete compares to their current players, and when the staff is making decisions for his class.

That's where having an actual recruiting strategy matters.

Inside the Premier Athletes Baseball Recruiting Program, we help families identify programs that match their athlete's ability, academics, goals, and graduation year, then build a plan to get in front of the appropriate college coaches.

If Emory sounds like a school your athlete might enjoy, let's find out whether it's a realistic fit.

Explore your recruiting options here, and we'll talk through your athlete's current level, recruiting timeline, and the types of programs he should be pursuing.

To your son's success.