Originally Posted by 2019Dad:
Originally Posted by jolietboy:
I take it james is long gone... but for the record gunning pitchers is sort of my hobby at tournaments between my son's games. I go around gunning all ages. James was a little on the low side. 8th graders throwing 60-66 would get lit up like a christmas tree. James obviously did not play the good travel circuit. Of course what is average depends on what level. If you are talking big time travel/showcase kind of stuff pushing 80 for an 8th grader probably is about average. My experience is with the best of the regular travel teams. Mostly USSSA. average 8th grader right around upper 60's to low 70's. However good 8th grade pitchers more toward mid to upper 70's. Phenominal ones 80+
I would agree with this. And bacdoorslider's post makes the point more concretely -- 83 as an 8th grader is now the next year one of the top 50 freshmen in the country.
My point about physical maturity -- actually, it was RJM's point -- was more about weight than height. The 8th grader who is 5'10" 135 lbs. and throwing 75 may have more projection than the 8th grader who is 6'1" 190 lbs. and throwing 80 . . . Of course, individual situations will vary, but physical maturity is a big factor at this age, IMHO.
This is the funny thing about recruiting/scouting. What you say makes perfect sense. Yet, the only time you see the phrase "projectable" in baseball recruiting is when it is attached to the analysis of very tall kids.