What is considered average arm strength for shortstops and second basemen respectively in the majors? Is there a magic cutoff like 90mph for a pitcher that makes someone only second base material?
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Would an infielder with a good glove and range be able to play ss in the majors if he threw 80 mph?
That shortstop for the Cardinals, Eckstein, has had a terrific career (although I am not one of his fans) and he likely tops out 75-80.
Cheats in a few steps and makes the plays.
Cheats in a few steps and makes the plays.
A pro scout once rated my son's (SS) arm as average. He was clocked at 85mph throwing from the SS hole.
Wow I didn't realize that Eckstein had more than his height to overcome. Does anyone know if 85 mph is around avg. for college players also?
I've wondered about this too.
Occasionally non-pitchers are called in to pitch an inning. I remember watching 3rd baseman Gary Gietti throw for the Cardinals around 1998, He was topping out around 85 mph. and got out of the inning easily. Only time he pitched since HS as I recall.
Anyone else have examples like that?
Occasionally non-pitchers are called in to pitch an inning. I remember watching 3rd baseman Gary Gietti throw for the Cardinals around 1998, He was topping out around 85 mph. and got out of the inning easily. Only time he pitched since HS as I recall.
Anyone else have examples like that?
Was it Campy Campaneris who once played all 9 positions in one game?
quote:Originally posted by Krakatoa:
Was it Campy Campaneris who once played all 9 positions in one game?
He did it in '65 ... Cesar Tovar also did it 3 years later. During Tovar's turn on the bump he faced Camanarie.
After that, the "novelty" of the idea seemed to go away and no one else bothered to do it again until 2000 when Scott Sheldon (Rangers) and Shane Halter (Tigers) repeated the feat. Both should have waited until 2001 so they could have set the record as the first in the 21st Century.
I'm sure it's been done at other levels, but probably the most notable was by Bugs Bunny.
JDsDad,
Sorry, I have been away for a few days and didn't see this one. When my son was recruited, all the infielders were gunned from deep shortstop. My son was told they were looking for 85 mph from shortstop. We were shocked when we first heard this but it does seem to be the benchmark velocity even in college. Everything I have read on this site indicate that 85 is an average velocity for a big league ball player.
Sorry, I have been away for a few days and didn't see this one. When my son was recruited, all the infielders were gunned from deep shortstop. My son was told they were looking for 85 mph from shortstop. We were shocked when we first heard this but it does seem to be the benchmark velocity even in college. Everything I have read on this site indicate that 85 is an average velocity for a big league ball player.
Thanks Cleveland, I wonder how much less a second baseman can get by with? I would project my son to hopefully be at the 85 mark by the time he's full grown. He has had a dream to play college ball ever since he was really young. He just turned 14 he's 5'2" 110lbs he can throw 71 now. He's probably not going to be much taller than 5'7". So he can name all the short guys that play in the bigs,Eckstein,Furcal, Etc. 
At 14YO, he can wait a while to worry about it. Lots can happen between now & then.
No, I have it figured out. He's been gaining around 5 mph per year. By the time he's 25 he should be throwing 137.
bbscout
Thank you
We never put a gun on the fielders, nor have we had a cooach or scout ask us to.
To us fielding and throwing is more than just velocity--it is reaction and range--the rest takes care of itself one way or the other
Thank you
We never put a gun on the fielders, nor have we had a cooach or scout ask us to.
To us fielding and throwing is more than just velocity--it is reaction and range--the rest takes care of itself one way or the other
quote:Originally posted by JDsDad:
Wow I didn't realize that Eckstein had more than his height to overcome. Does anyone know if 85 mph is around avg. for college players also?
Throwing 85 from the 6 hole during game conditions is a HOSE. Ozzie Smith had a pretty weak arm but made all of the plays. Foootwork can make up for a lack of arm strength (to a certain point).