2016 - too late to start pitching?

I wouldn't say it's too late at all.  It's never too late until you hang up the spikes.

 

Things may be a little more difficult just due to the lack of experience, but that's not something that can't be overcome if his coaches see promise.

 

One thing your son will have to do is decide how much time to dedicate to pitching - and how much to other positions.  If he is a really good fielder - will he be setting himself back if he loses reps. to work on pitching? There are many factors to take into consideration. If his goal is to play in college, does he have the velocity they are looking for?

 

You want to seek out an evaluation from someone who isn't at the same time looking to sell you lessons. I don't know what you have available in your area, but your HS or summer coach may have someone they can suggest.

 

If you have video, you can post it down in the pitching board and I am sure you will get some responses.

Never too late...as a matter of fact, with the right coaching he may have an advantage, since he may not have years of bad mechanics to overcome (which doesn't apply to all I know). 

 

My 2016 hasn't pitched in HS at all; he pitched for his 16U team last fall, but was very dedicated to making HS Varsity (at 1B) this year and didn't want to be pre-occupied with worrying about pitching. He has told me he will add his name to the list of pitchers for next HS season - his coach was told he can pitch so he encourgaed him to do so. As you know, you can never have enough pitching. 

 

I wish your son all the luck!

 

 

Never too late if he has strong/quick arm action.  Fact: BucsFanSon's HS team just won state championship on Saturday.  Fact: hero in finals was 2015 RHP who "shoved it" (CG, 10K, 1R) and....was our starting C last year....Summer team out him on mound last Summer and he has not C since.  Had ERA of about 0.5 and topped out at 88 several times with a slender frame and only about 6' tall.  Getting mid major D1 attention.

It is never too late.

....should add, he had not thrown a single pitch since LL prior to last summer.

I have two friends who didn't pitch until halfway through senior year. One went on to an SEC school and pitched in the majors. Another was drafted, signed and made it to AAA. There are pitchers who were position players in the minors until it was decided they couldn't hit adequately to continue. So, no, it's never too late. However, your son has to decide how committed he will be to working on pitching. If I were him I would play a position on the travel team and get a pitching coach on the side to prepare for pitching next high school season.

He really should have  a passion for it or don't waste time/money. He could try getting lessons over winter and see what happens. Pitchers also must have good mental character. If he can't handle the pressure then don't bother either. Good luck

Thanks everyone for the great feedback.  We will talk about this more seriously to determine if he thinks it is something to pursue.  As for the mental character, I'm not sure how to evaluate that without having him try it.  I'm going to post a couple videos on the pitching board to see if anyone can give preliminary thoughts based on those.  Thanks again.

Son was converted to pitcher as a college sophomore.  deGrom, who pitched for the Mets last night was also converted as a college sophomore.  Its never too late when you throw the right number.

Look up the story on Kenny Rogers. Don't think he ever pitched in HS & did pretty well for himself.

I'll say.

 

His chicken was never to my taste, but I love that duet with Dolly Parton.

http://mlb.si.com/2013/12/26/k...s-hall-of-fame-jaws/

Pretty good but wrong Kenny Rogers. Here's a link, pretty good story. Think he signed for 1K out of HS.