Howdy folks, long time no update... I had so many supremely helpful individuals on this site helping encourage and steer my son and I back when he was in HS. He is the definition of a late bloomer, so I thought i would let y'all know how he has done.
in HS he was an 80 mph sinker baller pitcher and had some success as a senior. They won their conference. But he was never the overpowering guy, just the dude who hit his spots and never walked anyone. He started a growth spurt in his Sophomore year and never put on a pound. Ended up 6 2 and change at the end of his senior season and 175 lbs. He had been lifting pretty regularly and eating me out of house and home, but with no apparent effect.
He enrolled at an ODAC school and turned in a good Freshman (shortened) season, finishing with a 2.5 ERA. He was predominantly used out of the pen to relieve our hardest throwing starter. Still never threw more than 82 in a game.
When he came home, he was 6' 3.5" and 180 lbs, even after 6+ months of team lifts.
After getting home, he started really eating and lifting, and one silver lining of COVID crap is that his PC, a single-A PC, was also stuck at home, so he started working with him twice of week.
Between lifting, working with his coach, and gaining 20 lbs (now 200), he went from 82 to 87. He is sitting 85-86 and hits 87 a few times per bullpen. This is an amazing jump that will see him getting even more innings in this D3 conference.
I attribute it to a couple things. One, his body is finally starting to catch up with his height, but two, his intent on the mound is so much more physical and focused compared to his HS years. He really fed off playing college baseball and wants so much to be the guy that starts the big games. It has infused how he works out, how he approaches nutrition, and how he attacks his bullpens.
Who knows if he will be a 90+ mph guy, but he is working it like I've never seen. I'm obviously very proud of the man he is becoming. He is still the introvert that never says anything (his teammates ask me if he said anything at home ... hah) and is always on the outside of the pack looking in when they gather, but there is a fire in him now that was never there before... in fact I wondered if it even existed.
For those of you hoeing this row with your son... it can happen, but it takes a lot of grinding and dedication before the rewards pop out.
All the best... Still Clueless.