Tagged With "Pitching"
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
We'll see what others I have to say. I've personally seen plenty of D3 pitchers throw fastballs in the high 70's in games. Generally most will say you need to throw 80 to get college interest at the lowest levels 85+ as a lefty pitcher will get you D1 interest. High 80's as a right hand pitcher for D1
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
No. There is not one speed or situation where a coach is going to say I'm not interested. There is more to pitching than velocity and I could rattle off a dozen or so things a college recruiter is going to look at holistically to make a determination if they are initially interested in a recruit. If you want an answer, I think you are going to have to ask the coach themselves and I really don't think that is a good question to ask. I think a better question would be to ask "what are the...
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
check out this topic. There is some good research in it. http://community.hsbaseballweb...r-at-certain-schools
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
Answer that Dads want to hear: 75 and your son is that special snowflake Answer that is more close to real: 87-93 at least once in front of a scout, depending on school, for weekend starters (Dad thought bubble... but, but I saw a kid throw a few two seamers in relief in a D3 game during the week once at 78..) Think of this as a pyramid. Hundreds can touch 90, Thousands can touch 85. Everyone else can touch 80. Which group do you want to be in? Which group do you want to recruit from?
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
All the answers above are right, and there are many more that are right depending on the situation. Our younger son, 5-10 RHP, 85 mph in HS, pitched at a Power-5 school and left barely touching 90 but as the all-time innings-pitched leader at that school. "Spectacular command" is how one scout describes him (now pitching in double-A). So when you say, "By other things i mostly meant control and off speed," I say, yeah, he has/had all of that. But your definition, mine and a college coach's...
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
This is research from 2012 in regards to what it Velocity wise to play DI, obviously a little dated, and only focuses on DI but this should give you a better idea. However, for a variety of reasons, "all over the map" does not equate to "random distribution". HS pitchers who aspire to pitch in college should have a reasonable idea of where they fit in by the end of summer following their Junior year. Important disclaimer: Although people often offer the fuzzy disclaimer that "velocity is...
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
Son is RHP at a mid-major. He was getting looks from D2 and D3's once he hit 85, but he was also an all-state SS. Never really talked to any of them, but there was real interest. Ended up getting D1 interest and offer once he was consistently 87...touching 90. He is now a junior. Their pitching staff now has 5 guys who can be at 90 pretty consistently....all RHP. Several guys 85-86, a few 87-88 and a lefty juco guy who is not much over 80. He has friends from his years of travel that are at...
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
I went to PG and looked at the top 100 college recruiting classes for 2019s. As expected the top 25 are all loaded with 90+ RHPs, plus I must add 12-15 recruits per school (seems like too many to me). Anyway as the poser above states below that the drop off is significant. I always tell the anecdote of the BIG 12 tourney a few years back in OKC when Baylor played WVU and the Baylor kid hit 87 once and the LHP from WVU never hit 80. 2013 or 2014 I think.
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
After all the pitchers I've seen over the years, I've developed an inner radar..........no its not accurate........I call it " 80's"...... Get there (or near) and you can pitch somewhere ......( CC, NAIA, D3,2,..etc..)...And you need one school to like you........ Now the variables.....add in these and its gives you more choices.......or them more choices / reasons to like you... Tall, lefty, control. off-speed, grades, etc......you get the idea......the list of variables goes on and on........
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
From what I have seen there is a minimum of 75, and this was for a VERY low totem pole D3. So as far as a deal breaker, yes, no matter the control the kid has to be throwing at least 75 to pitch in college in my opinion.
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
Work on developing velocity. Never stop trying to improve. But unless you’re throwing at a jaw dropping velocity learn how to pitch. Work on command. Work on the mental side of pitching. If you work to optimize these aspects of pitching you will find your place in the game. Theres a lot involved with whether someone becomes a major conference D1 pitcher versus D3. But the most important thing is elevate yourself to be the best you can be. Ultimately you want to have a positive college...
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
On the NCAA site, there are 299 D1 baseball teams listed. Using an average of 15 pitchers per team, that is 4,485 guys pitching at the D1 level in any one season. Just looking at the class of 2017, 292 RHP's threw 90 plus and 270 LHP's threw 85 plus(from PG site). If you expand the parameters on the PG site to 2017 RHP's throwing 88 plus and LHP's throwing 84 plus, the list expands to 621 and 440. I don't know how many of those players signed professionally but I'm guessing that number is...
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
He said college. Not D1. How many college programs are there in the US? Don't forget JUCO and NAIA....there is a huge wide door for many pitchers.
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
The only point I would add is that the top programs get the Lions share of top pitching, the top 75 may get 50% or more of the total. So that still leaves 125 D1s looking for arms.
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
Disclaimer - Not real good in math... So a quick search of The Google says there are around 1,140 four year colleges/universities (D1-D3 and NAIA) of all levels playing baseball. Using 15 pitchers as a average ballpark, that means there are 17,100 pitchers needed at 4 year schools at any given time. That is alot of arms! Then you add another 500 or so junior colleges and that is another 7.5K or so for a very rough estimate of 24.5K +- arms needed in collegiate baseball... When you look at it...
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
Ha Ha good catch. You made my argument sound even better LOL thx
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
Just clarifying, are you saying there was a kid pitching for WVU who threw in the 70s?
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Re: Minimum Velocity to pitch in college
If there are approximately 300 right hand pitchers in the PG database that have been 90 or better, I'm guessing there is another 50 or more that aren't in the database. That is in any given class there could be as many as 350 or more RHPs at 90 or better. If you were to subtract the draft and considered Freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors colleges account for 4 years, 4 recruiting classes. that does not account for red shirt years. Then there is another 50 or more LHPs throwing 90 or...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
If the kid loves to pitch he should continue to pitch. It amazes me how many people make a plan for the future that cuts out the present enjoyment. Don’t forget to enjoy today. High school and travel ball are fun. Plus they’re the bird in hand. You can’t guarantee future pleasure in baseball. Don’t obsess on level of play at college. Find an opportunity that is the best potential baseball, academic and social experience regardless of level. Once college is over what level is played is...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
Let's take inventory... You know the kid loves to play and is a good player. You know he doesn't currently have D1 measurables and size and may not reach that going forward. You've learned the velo, projected velo and size are certainly parts of the equation with regard to college recruiting at the D1 level. You mentioned he has been told catching skills are high and it may be his ticket to a mid- D1... although there is a little bit of confusion to that point as you also say when he doesn't...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
I'm sure he is a good catcher, but at 5'7 he doesn't have any tickets. Size is important and he is still growing. For now all he can do is continue to eat and hope he sprouts up in the next year. If you're wondering why your 5'7 mid-high 70s son isn't getting looks as a pitcher it's because there is nothing for a college coach to look at. Getting outs and having a low ERA at 15 does not project as anything. Height and velocity does. So his coach is right, he is somebody that can pitch well...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
A bit off topic, but the relationship between a pitcher and catcher is important. DS is a pitcher (1 of 6 on his team) and we have 3 catchers. DS keeps getting paired up with one and he tells DS to throw only FB's and DS shakes him off but he signals him to throw a FB anyways. I did ask my DS, can't you shake him off and throw what you want and he said not really because if the catcher is set to catch a FB and he throws a slider, and the catcher misses it, it affects him... I told DS to talk...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
DS needs to speak first the catcher who keeps calling fastballs so he can understand the reason why. They should try to get on the same page first before anything is asked of the coach. No good will come of going around his catcher to the coach until they (pitcher and catcher) come to an impasse.
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
He has already spoken with the catcher multiple times. The catchers response is “ do what I tell you” 🤷♀️
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
OP, Can your son hit? I've seen my share of outstanding defensive catchers in high school and college. All three of my boys were primarily pitchers in high school but also played the field and hit. In college, nothing separates a catcher from another catcher like being able to hit. Switch hitting catcher...double bonus. IMHO catcher is THE most important position on the field. He always needs to know what is going on in both dugouts, be a step ahead, and get a feel for the flow of the game.
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
My son asked the coach if he could have some additional bullpen time with the catcher that was struggling with his slider and wouldn’t call it during games. Saying he “just needs time to get used to it”. It was a valid point as my 2022 is (obviously from my moniker) a lefty. Also a passive aggressive way of bringing the coach into the situation. But I do understand your son’s frustration. My son loved it when he was pulled up to pitch varsity games because the catchers would call what they...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
More background needed... what level program? fall games? is regular coaching staff on hand? is there a P coach? is C calling on his own or getting signs relayed? is C and upperclassman and P underclassman? will C be the likely starter going forward? what's DS? could this be beginning of practice season when P's generally are directed to throw only FB's? is this 100% of the time or just most of the time?
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
Club level - 16u team. Fall season. No P coach, but 3 coaches are there. Catcher makes his own calls. The C is the primary one. DS stands for Darling Son 😂 The C calls FBs most of the time. My son and the other P’s can throw sliders and curves. Some are better than others. My son and 1 other are the top 2 for the team And as far as bullpen time: my son has asked numerous times for him and C to get together with us doing the driving and open to the C’s schedule and C says he can’t.... this C...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
Hahaha... definitely a new use of an acronym So, sounds like there might be some issues going on with the C so tough for us to advise without being in tune to the situation. Maybe it's something more important than fastballs and curves. Maybe son can appeal to him that way... "hey, everything OK? I can't get better as a P and you can't get better as a C if all we're doing is throwing FB's. What's up?" If still no response, at some point, maybe son has to go to the HC but, at the same time,...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
Do you have an older daughter who played sports? DD is a girl’s sports term. I’ve never heard DS. I’m thinking my son might have had a comment had I called him Darling Son.
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
DD and DS are pretty common online abbreviations (in non-sports circles). Very prevalent on parenting boards and college admission boards as well. Don't forget the DH, which doesn't stand for Designated Hitter
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
There are other boards? ... THERE ARE NON-SPORTS CIRCLES ?!?!?!? Seriously, I don't get out enough.
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
I have been in threads on this site where DS was used...originally I posted “my son” and thought oops and changed it to DS. Oh well....
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
TideFan, thanks for the post...thank you to all who post here. I have been a lurker for a couple of months now and this is post #1. I have a 2022 who was a catcher/pitcher combo until the end of the spring season this year. I agree with the majority of advice/info given thus far on this thread but do want to post a warning or caution for you and your son to consider. My son was similar to yours from a velo standpoint with him touching 78 this last spring on the mound while catching a lot of...
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
The size of a pitcher and catcher will matter to a D1 HC/RC. Pitchers are typically in the 6'2"-6'-5" range for D1 and catchers are typically 6'-0"-6'2". If your son would like to compete at a D1 then my suggestion is to showcase as a catcher. As Fenway stated, catching is the most important position on the field. With plus defensive catching skills coupled with ability to hit then most HC/RC will overlook size. I have seen many catchers 5'10" who can hit that are successful at the D1 level.
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Re: Pitching vs, Catching
Thanks Guys for the replies..... USED2LURK - You hit the nail on the head. The only reason our kid is not catching right now is because of his pitching skills. To his teams, his ability to go out there and win a game on the mound right now is his most important contribution. He is also a solid hitter (always ends a season in the .300 - .350 batting average) so he always has a spot in the line-up as an infielder or DH/EH. He too developed a soreness (never a pain) in his shoulder which was...
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Re: Winter pitching velocity
My guy was in the same place and yes, he lost a little the first month or so after winter resting. Just takes time for the arm to get used to daily throwing, loosen up, etc. But by the time the showcases come around he should be back to the level where he left off, maybe a shade stronger or lower depending on how his body reacts. The benefits show up in a few more months. Natural progression would be 3-5mph improvement.
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Re: Winter pitching velocity
My 2022 ended the summer season in late July regularly hitting 83. In August he shut down throwing and started working out hard on a program through Cressey Sports Performance. He started throwing again in mid October touching 85 and touched 87 in early December. He put on roughly 13lbs of muscle and increased both flexibility and stability in key areas between early August and late October. Hopefully that is a data point you can use but I am not certain a sample size of one really means ...
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Re: Winter pitching velocity
Between natural growth progression and the velocity program, you can certainly expect to see increases but it really varies by individual. There is no formula. There can also be spurts and stalls. And, yes, certainly during ramp up, you can not only expect regression but must (in effect) force it - vitally important that the ramp up is properly gradual, not rushed. In fact, this is one of the challenges to fitting in a rest period, particularly from this age on as he may be dealing with...
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Re: Winter pitching velocity
I don't think attending a showcase in February will serve you much purpose, unless you just want your son to experience that type of setting for down the road. Sounds like your son did have a rest period, which is imperative. If he's just starting to throw lightly now, I'm not sure he should be going to a showcase in a month. As Cabbage points out, he's going to feel pressured to through hard, risk injury, with very little outcome on the other end.
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Re: Winter pitching velocity
A lot of the PBR state qualifying events are in Feb. At least here in the NE they are presidents week.
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Re: 2020 just wants to pitch.......
Actually, he is at the age when teams start to look to add players who are "pitcher only." But he better like sitting around a lot. Depending on circumstances he may only get one game for a typical tournament week end.
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Re: 2020 just wants to pitch.......
JMO but from my experience players should not be pitcher only until they reach varsity in HS. Why the rush? Mine was one of the top middle school pitchers entering HS. He passed up most of his freshman year to play varsity and remained as a utility guy. When not pitching he played other positions. But during summer after that year he was a pitcher only on any travel team and HS team until senior year.
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Re: 2020 just wants to pitch.......
At 12 or so my son thought he would like to be a PO. He wasn't having the success batting that he wanted and was frustrated. But, his team had 11 players so a PO wasn't an option(and we wouldn't have supported it at 12 anyway). So, he worked on his batting and by freshman year he had a pretty good bat. Now he is a sophomore playing varsity as a primary pitcher but will also play in the field as well. Because his bat is too good to put on the bench. Do you think his desire to PO is in any way...
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Re: 2020 just wants to pitch.......
The OP explained he plays other positions but loves to pitch and wants to be a PO. Should he be? No. JMO
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Re: 2020 just wants to pitch.......
This is what I have seen. At his age, a lot of travel teams want PO's, or kids who mostly pitch, but the orgs themselves do not work pitchers in practice like they are pitchers only. The put them through positional fielding and batting practice. If a PO, pitcher specific conditioning, bullpens, long toss, pitcher drills come outside of the org's practice. So just something to consider in how your son's travel team is set up.
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Re: 2020 just wants to pitch.......
I remember these words of wisdom..."there's only so many bullets in the holster". Since your son has seen such good progress with a pitching coach, have you considered that he may have the same or better success with a hitting coach? He's average now (as are most 14 yr olds)...a few hitting lessons could take him to above...or exceptional...or...? And, there's not quite the risk of overuse/injury/pressure. And, playing multiple positions, developing as a hitter...provides more options in...