If there are approximately 300 right hand pitchers in the PG database that have been 90 or better, I'm guessing there is another 50 or more that aren't in the database. That is in any given class there could be as many as 350 or more RHPs at 90 or better. If you were to subtract the draft and considered Freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors colleges account for 4 years, 4 recruiting classes. that does not account for red shirt years. Then there is another 50 or more LHPs throwing 90 or better each year.
If there were approximately 1,000 RHPs that fit the 88 mph range in the PG database, there are probably 300 or more that aren't in the database. Then if there were 200 or so LHPs that can throw 88 each year, adding all the above each class has roughly 400 RHP and LHP that can throw 90 or better. So in 4 recruiting classes there would be approximately 1,600 pitchers throwing 90 or better. If they were divided equally among DI colleges, which they definitely are not, each DI school would have five or six 90 mph guys. And that doesn't account for those that develop into 90+ after they enter college. Obviously the top programs get more of the 90+ guys.
Same goes with the 88 mph guys. If there are 1500 in each recruiting class, that would account for 6,000 in four recruiting classes. so approximately 6,000 pitchers. If they were split equally among 300 DI colleges, which doesn't happen, it would equal twenty pitchers to each program over four years.
Then there are mid 80s pitchers that are much better than some 88-90 mph pitchers.
So split equally by all DI programs, they would all have successfully recruited about six 90 or better pitchers and about twenty 88 or better pitchers. That would be about 7 pitchers a year on average, but truth is the freshman and sophomore classes will have more than half so it is not uncommon to see more pitchers recruited each year.
Velocity is very important, but by itself it isn't enough. There are mid 80s pitchers that are much better than some 88-90 mph pitchers. There are mid 80s pitchers that project to add much more velocity. Every once in awhile you see a pitcher that throws around 80 that can be very successful against top DI hitters. I don't think anyone should label them self a certain level of pitcher or player. There are other people that end up doing that after they see you. In our database we have examples of pitchers that topped out in the mid 80s while in HS, that have since thrown mid to upper 90s in the Big Leagues.