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LHP velocity advice needed
Hello, 16.5year old Lefty sophmore throwing consistant true 80-82 fb. I know this topic is discussed on older threads but would love some feedback. 6'1 205. Large frame but done growing for sure.But lifts religously. Very good control and shifty curveball. (by far his best pitch) realisticaly I think he may get FB to 85. 3.8 GPA. of course he dreams of D1 but it may not be in the cards. question is : do D1 schools even look at him or not? LHP DAD
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
When I see “dreams of D1” I get concerned. If it’s realistic, go for it. But I get concerned a kid will place himself in the wrong prospect pool and not get noticed. Unless a player is a potential top ten round pro prospect education should come first. The player should be looking for the best possible education and baseball experience regardless of division level. There are some advantages of opportunity to being a left handed pitcher. But the goal should be to get on the field not on the...
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
thank you all for replies. when I say he " dreams of d1" I guess like most kids it's always a dream, but I am very realistic with him. He runs a 4.8 40 and takes all honors or high honors classes. We always stress academics. I am a teacher and have seen many kids not get into schools bc of academics. But growing up as a lefty pitcher people always say what an advanrage it is.... He would be happy playing anywhere but also as a lefty I don't see him at ss or 3b. I always thought being a lefty...
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Lhp Dad a few years ago at our Texas Rangers Area Code team tryout at TCU, I noticed a 6' 5" Lhp throwing 85 mph. I ask our Rangers GM, "what about this pitcher" Randy said "no Bob he does not throw with velocity". I overruled Randy and place the pitcher on my 900 team. True Story: the young man returned to Houston and gained 10 mph and in June was a 1st round draft. "you never know"! Keep the faith! Bob
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Keep working hard. May not be a top 25 program but all pitching coaches want a guy who can get players out. With the right instruction, he can be the teams secret weapon.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
“he may get better playing time and development at a JUCO “ This has always been true for 90% of HS players that advance to play in college. Covid has only added strength to the argument - and it’s even more true for position players. You don’t get better sitting on a bench and JUCO baseball is way better than people realize. Last Thursday I saw Grayson and McLennan play a DH in Waco, TX. There were more scouts in the stands than fans - and there were a lot of fans!
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
There is a 2022 we know (he was a 2021 but reclassed, re-did Jr. year HS at private school) who is an LHP, max velo of 83 mph, but is an excellent pitcher with good curve/off speed. He just committed to Lafeyette. He's not a big as your son. I am unsure where he is academically. I just put this out here so you know D1 patriot league could be a good fit down the line too.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Osh1001, Yes, and he has the potential to get a lot of looks across other NCAA levels Your son has a lot going for him. Use those "tailwinds" (academics, LHP, frame, etc...) to target schools that are looking for someone like your son. He still has time to further develop, and put some polish on his skills. Also, don't get hung up on the "D1 thing". As RJM stated, getting on the field should be the athletic goal. Folks get hung up on the D1 label because they don't understand there is a...
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Yes, they will absolutely look at him if he is in a spot to be seen. Does he play for a travel team that gets to big tournaments? Does that org have connections to colleges far and wide? If the answer is no, then its time to fix that one way or another. Your son will play somewhere, if he wants to play. Don't rule our JUCOS, in the current environment of packed rosters at the D1 level, he may get better playing time and development at a JUCO. JMO
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Ok. Thanks for all the input. He just moved to a team that will travel east coast. Fla, Georgia tournaments on schedule so. So at least some opportunities.Been to 1 pg showcase 15 months ago... Has had a couple camp invites. Not against JC at all. Just trying to figure out best fit at best level... thanks!
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
he just started with a higher level team that does velocity training. He went 10 weeks with them and gained approx 2-3 mph. Next step is to get one on ones but not sure about the timing with school ball and then travel in the summer. Should he be throwing with a one on one coach in season? Thank you for response.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Since you are a critical juncture, probably so. Probably that time to go all in.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
I have a 6-2 LHP that is as strong as an ox - - 210 lbs. High school he topped out at 82 on a good day. Today he sits 85-87 and can touch 90 on a good day. He went the D3 route. 3.4 GPA and a 32 ACT. Used baseball to get into a school he was just barely able to qualify for. Best decision he made... period. We tried hard for a D1 program.... got looks from Ivy and Patriot teams. But he went where he was loved and it has made all the difference. Made friends for life and had fun while still...
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
My son didn’t want to be a college pitcher. But he wanted to excel as a high school pitcher. And arm strength is good for any position. He worked with a pitching coach in the fall of his junior year. He went from cruise 82/83 Max 85 to cruise 87/88 Max 90 with improved mechanics and listening to a new coach. He was at the point where he was tuning out his travel pitching coach of three years and me. The new pitching coach didn’t tell him anything we hadn’t told him. But it was a new,...
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
I have a sophomore in college that is 5'10" now 182 lost 20 pounds this year on purpose. Sat 86-88 in high school and not sits 86-90 touched 91 this year touched 92 in high school. But has great control of all pitches which include 2 seam, 4 seam, slider, curve, and change-up. He is at a P5 and getting innings as early reliever, middle reliever, closer and situational guy. Has pitched 2 pitches one game to get a guy and 4 pitches another. Has .000 era with 15 innings so far which does not...
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Thanks! I agree with the high academic d3. Still very high competition and so many more positives that will carry through life. School ball is around the corner. I am sure it will clear things up a lot. Appreciate your time.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
Osh1001, my high GPA 2022 LHP son was in the same boat a year ago. Most of the "rules of thumb" regarding velocity are geared toward RHPs, with vague caveats for LHPs. Everyone says you should be realistic about the schools you target, but how do you get a realistic assessment of your son's prospects? PM me if you'd like. I'd be happy to share my son's experience speaking with high academic schools.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
At 16 it is unlikely he is at his physical peak. Some genotypes mature earlier than others. If he doesn't have a full beard, squat 400+ and bench around 300 then he has a ways to go. No amount of lifting before his body is ready is going to achieve much. Besides physical maturation, mechanics are usually where the bug chunks of velo can be found. I just checked my sons stats for that age. He was 6 feet tall and threw 82 at his first PG event. At 21 he is over 6'3'' and has touched 95; and...
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
He actually has a partial beard, squats 300 and benches 200. So maturation is in full swing. Thats why I wonder how much more growth is possible... Thanks for the input. I appreciate it!
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
My understanding is that it is in your sons best interests to shave that beard, use wrinkle cream, adopt a squeaky voice, and tell them that his mother is 6 ft 3 inches.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
I remember this advice from a showcase coach. If you can grow a beard then shave, if you have peach fuzz leave it.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
I found my old thread… so now at 17 summer before senior year. 6’1” 213 gpa 3.8 All honors and ap classes. FB velo sitting 82-83. Basically the same as was. Increased 1-2 mph. Has some interest from very good D3 and very happy about it.
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Re: LHP velocity advice needed
We got a good pitching coach a few years ago that took him from 86-93 in a year. New coach has him now sitting 94 with 4 pitches. Coaching really does work. But ACT is very important!