I have been reading HS, College, and Pro catcher's arm strength on the oldest of radar equipment, and for a long time.
The debate continues whether to recruit a raw catcher with excellent arm strength (and average C&T skills) vs a polished catcher w/ excellent C&T skills, yet average arm strength.
Using the ol' pipe (ie Decateur), when finding a kid from behind the dish with an initial velo of 75 mph, I show pop times in the sub 2.0 sec range. This takes into account above average glove transition times (ie .75 to .80 sec)
Given a quality receiver w/ plus arm (ie 80+ Jugs), and plus transition (.75 sec), great feet, and hits left handed with power is special (and rare) and a high round draftable kid.
OBTW: Velo's at 75 mph release, typically reveal 67 mph at Minf glove (on the Decateur).
OBTW: Differences in Decateur and other newer radar guns (& frequencies) have shown to be:
- 4 mph (older Jugs)
- 5 mph (newer Jugs)
- 7 mph (old Stalker)
- 9 mph (newest Stalker)
May be seeing and chatting w/ Ellie Hendricks (former bullpen catcher - Balt) over the weekend, and will bounce it off of him.
If not, I am hoping to run into an ol' friend Joe Breeden (former bullpen catcher Marlins,, and now with NYY Tampa) in Jan 06, to see what he says.
Stay tuned.
cheers
Bear