quote:Originally posted by TT53:
Mr. Guthrie,
Just curious. What would your limit(s) on pitch count be for the hypothetical strong, mechanical correct, physically conditioned 16-17 year-old pitcher in March?
If different, how about in May or June.
There are too many missing variables to attach a number to your question.
1. When did the kid pitch last?
2. What formal routine has the pitcher been on?
3. When do I expect to throw him next?
Hypothetically, if it was a pitcher who is pitching early in the spring with a formal throwing program I would look for at 70-75 pitch max. This number would increase if there was an out left in the inning to where the pitcher could throw 5 or so more pitches and be done. Also, I would hope to progress the pitcher to where he had something left in the tank towards the end of the season gradually increasing the pitch count each outing.
The summer has a whole different set of circumstances....
1. How many pitches did the kid throw in the spring.
2. Is the kid a legitimate starting type arm.
3. At what point in the schedule are you?
This, once again, also depends on the type of pitcher we are dealing with. There is a big difference in a power thrower and a thumber.
For example, would Tim Wakefield and Roger Clemens have the same pitch count the first game of spring?