quote:Originally posted by SultanofSwat:
You should work on the curveball I guess.
Right or wrong, I don't see many changeups in high school ball.
Really? My RHP freshman son learned a change up as a 13U at 54'. It has turned into an absolutely nasty pitch now at 60' with down and in movement.
When viewed from the side it looks like a curve because of the break and I have to ask him which pitch it was. He get's more swing and misses on this pitch than on his curve. At least when it breaks hard. Now and then it doesn't get as much break and it gets hit into the ground.
My son is not an extraordinary pitcher. I think he is probably average or a bit above average on the FB. His curve is decent but not a "plus" pitch. Based on that, I would think that any decent JV pitcher could learn a good changeup.
You are right though that not many kids have a "real" changeup with good movement. In 22 games on JV this year, he's only faced (as a hitter) one pitcher with a changeup - a lefty.
I just think people don't realize that with the right grip and pronation you can get a ton of movement on this pitch.