Catch versus Pitch

Ohio Dad:

I have several thoughts here, and I am sure others will as well.  I will try to be brief:

* If you are thinking 4 years down the road, you are in a great spot b/c both Ps (so many are needed) and Cs (good ones are hard to find/seems not enough young players want to focus on that position) are in high demand for college coaches

* LHH Cs are a nice commidity as well.  My son's HS has a 6'3" sophomore LHH C who is athletic and "country strong" and is starting to get attention already.  While his skills behind the plate still need work, I am convinced the fact the he is a power hitting LHH with a strong arm stands out.

* Same HS:  last year's starting C has a hose and was switched to a RHP (hadn't pitched since LL) last summer by his Summer program who gunned him on a run and gun and thought he needed a look on the mound.  Kid hasn't caught since, has a sub 1.00 ERA this year and is starting to get some nice attention (even before summer heats up) from some mid-major D1s.

* I think your son is young enough such that if done carefully to protect his arm (I will not get into specifics on how you would do that and trust you can handle that or get advice), he should get on the mound.  You never know where it could lead.

* Lastly, I will paraphrase and share a quote to BucsFanSon from the RC at a very strong mid major D1 from last fall:  "From a big picture and numbers perspective, being a baseball pitcher is the best position to be recruited for out of HS of any sport.  Not only do we need a lot of them, but think about this.  What if you were the 3rd or 4th best QB on the football team?  How about if you are the 4th best goalie on the lacrosse or soccer team?  What if you are the 5th best C on the basketball team?  How important is your role in any given season?  Now, compare that to being any where in the top 5 or 6 on a baseball pitching staff."  Seemingly obvious point, but it really stood out to me.

* Of course, a lot depends on his hitting potential and his "make up" and desire/need to be in the line-up everyday.  I am a former pitcher so I am biased, but to me there is no better position to play in the game.  It truly is 90% pitching.  Being on the mound and knowing you can in fact control the outcome of that game more than anyone on the field is a great feeling and a great challenge.  Some players, even extremely talented ones, just don't want that pressure.

Good luck.

Thoughts, not necessarily wisdom...

-This is the toughest combination to pull off.  Different mechanic emphasis on the throw and footwork, the two toughest positions from an injury standpoint, the two positions that require the most throws, etc.

-There is high value in a good P and a good C will certainly have a good idea of what to do on the hill.

-If he loves hitting, how does he feel about the prospect of giving that up in 2-4 years in place of being PO?

-Let him pitch some and see how he likes it.  But don't allow alot of both during a given event/timeframe.

-Yes, a LH hitting catcher who can hit will have relatively high value.  As will a good P.

-As a RHP, he will have to gain quite a bit of velo to get high level attention.

-It takes the right coach combo to allow both and not kill his arm.  It has been done.

I think, what it comes down to, is let him give P a shot and see where his talent and interests land.

College roster has about 15-17 pitchers and 2-3 catchers.  If you're looking to play in college, the math is easy.

To me it is all about hitting and being an everyday player. Does he want to hit, does he want to play every game or is he content to pitch one a week or so. For my guy it was a no brainer. He was lost if he was not on the field!

It may be that now he can play around with it both ways. Likely though he will get moved to one or the other fairly quickly. As others have stated Arm Use, differing mechanics, not to mention getting fewer at bats and hitting practices in general, all are reasons that specialization will take on a life of its own, and your son may lose control of it.

I love hitters and enjoyed seeing my son play every day. Just my 2 cents.

Chiming in with pure opinion and no real wisdom...

I'm of the belief that certain positions require a certain sort of make up.  Pitchers and catchers top that list, because beyond the very specialized physical skill set AND specialized knowledge base... There is a certain mental makeup required for both.  It sounds from your post as though you see your son as a catcher.  If that's how he sees himself, then to me that answers the question.  If he's not real sure, then would take the opportunity to pitch some this summer and then you and (mostly) he can evaluate and proceed accordingly.  Pure numbers might favor pitchers from recruiting standpoint, but good catchers have to be pretty close in terms of demand... Especially those who can also rake.  The better catchers I know personally and have known over the years just seem to understand by HS age that that's their spot...they walk and talk a certain way. Same with pitchers... They walk and talk a certain way too.  I'm sure there are some great athletes who excel at both simultaneously... But that has to be a rare combo.  Last thought -- from recruitment perspective... and I'm only guessing... but would think programs would want a guy being looked at for either of these specialized rolls to be an all out pitcher or an all out catcher... Not really any useful overlap. Meaning, if you're a little of both, you might be seen as neither.  JMO

You son sounds a LOT like my son, who is a 15 YO/2017 specialized catcher who hits lefty (very well and with power) and has a strong arm. He also has excellent speed for a catcher and led his HS team by a country mile in steals. However, he does not pitch and has not since he was 10 or so. No interest. I'm fine with this as it does eliminate most of the real problems and concerns you have for your son catching and pitching.

Good luck.

Have seen this dilemma often.  Catchers have good arms....that's why they're catchers.   Most catchers have good enough arms to pitch, although most catchers who start catcher, and at your son's age or a little later, "normally" don't transition into good pitchers.  They all throw hard, but few have command...as cabbagedad states, the throwing mechanics are different.  Of course there will be stories where a catcher, did transition into a P, but not often.  Son's team has a catcher, who for the past two years, his coach has tried to get some use from him on the mound, due to his strong arm.  He has never made it out of the first inning....he has no problem dropping a laser on top of 2B with runners trying to steal..., but have him try to hit his spot from 60', and forget it!

I tend to agree with the others, probably the most difficult two positions to manage.

It can't hurt to get some pitching instruction so he doesn't pitch like a catcher throws. Let him dabble with pitching on his travel team. See where it goes. Then he has two options.

Awesome feedback!  He feels he is a catcher, and enjoys the position, has an aggressive catchers mentality, and is pretty good at it, so I guess that should answer the question in and of itself.  Excellent hitter, so would be a shame to give that up.  I am sure he will pitch a little for his HS team starting next year, but I am okay with that as he can get away with some things at that level, that he can't get away with at the higher level travel ball he plays.  Our local HS ball is fair at best.  He will be able to get kids out in HS just with a good fastball and a decent change.  Thanks again for the excellent feedback.  A catcher is probably what he is and will be. 

Stop pitching now. Work on receiving. Working on being the QB on the field. Work on dealing with pitchers and umpires.Especially work on developing pop to BOTH gaps.

When he accomplishes all this let me know and I'll let you know where to mail the check after his sandwich-round selection.

LHH catchers with oppo pop = GOLD.

Will do.  He does have gap to gap pop, and has an opposite field approach, as that is all we work on in the cage, and that is what the MLB guys preach (especially when slumping).  He has not pitched at all in the past three years (except for some local fill in tourneys in Hot Stove that he can dominate with the fast ball).  No travel ball pitching this year.  Travel coach has hinted, but hasn't insisted.  After reading the advice above, I believe he will be sticking with catching.  From what I have read, Pitch/Catch is where most of the opportunity awaits.  My Pittsburgh Pirates just took a left handed hitting catcher with their first pick in 2013 (2+ mill bonus), so that might be a good barometer.  Thanks again guys!  Keep it coming. 

No...you are wrong...they are MY Pittsburgh Pirates! "Let's Go Bucs!!"  Cole Train on the bump tonight!