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Catcher pop times v velocity v blocking/controlling game

A Aleebaba1,000+ posts
2014 son went to area code tryout last week in Houston and we saw some very strong talent. The kids that were selected hit bombs, and (I heard) one kid threw 87mph from the crouch to 2nd. How important is velocity to D1 college coaches versus pop times, and what is normal D1 catcher velocity to 2nd? Also, how can a kid be evaluated for blocking and controlling game when a coach may only see him a short period?
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B Backwardsk3410+ posts
Velocity to second is no where near as important as overall quickness. In the end, point to point time is what matters most. If a catcher has a great pop time and no arm strength it's equally as bad as a catcher who has a very slow pop time and great arm strength.

The top catchers have both in the college level.

When it comes to blocking and controlling the game, a coach is going to see some of this and he'll be able to know very quickly whether there is or isn't talent in this area.

Also, college catchers are EXPECTED to be your power hitters. There are a few positions on the field that are expected to make it rain with the stick, however this can be overlooked if a catcher's defensive abilities are on the upper end, and he still gets himself on base. I've seen a few catchers that had amazing defensive abilities and only singles hitting power still do well at the college level.
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
The sunshine west catchers were mostly low to mid 70s release velocity. That's an above average group. I believe the top was 81. I'd guess and it is only a guess that typical D1 velocities would be in the upper 70s with good technique.

It is easier to teach quickness and technique than it is to teach arm strength. Having said that, there are arm actions that produce velocity and preclude quickness.
Last edited by CADad
around the hornaround the horn10+ posts
I wish there was a magic formula for this position and topic. I get so tired of hearing how catchers can hit but catch or vis versa. How many major league C you hear about that can hit but are still working on receiving and blocking and clubs are willing to put up with it even if it costs them games. For example we have Montero right hear in the Northwest catching for our beloved Mariners. Has he cost them or won them more games with his catching skills vs hitting skills?
In spring training all you heard was this kid can really swing it and now that the season is going all you hear about the continued need for improvement on defensive skills. If I have a player touching the ball every play and who has control over balls and strikes and can shut down a running game that is worth more than a guy who if he is successful is going to succeed 3 out of 10 times. Especially up hear in the Northwest where all people seem to be complaining about the lack of run production at Safeco field and how they need to move the fences in because we don't see enough Homeruns. Well maybe they better move the backstop up until they get a catcher who can stop a ball.
Here is a prime example of a player who doesn't seem to have off the chart #'s for catching but the description talks about his hitting and he must be good enough for the current National champs who mind you brought in a bunch of Catchers last year. Do they really want him to catch or play first and DH? We will see!

http://www.perfectgame.org/pla...ofile.aspx?ID=292442

I think another thread that needs to get started is Does your catcher hit from the Left side? My goodness it seems every guy I hear about is a left handed hitting Catcher!
CollegeParentNoMoreCollegeParentNoMore1,000+ posts
Can't teach velocity, however the most important skill is the bat and its a plus if he hits lefty. College coaches are looking for a kid that can hit college pitching and has catching skills and ability that can be worked with. Different coaches will look for different things, however they would all like to have an atheletic kid with a strong arm (80+), figuring they can teach the rest. 75 is a fringy arm in D1, unless the kid can really hit!
PU Pop Up Hitter dad1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by around the horn:
I wish there was a magic formula for this position and topic. I get so tired of hearing how catchers can hit but catch or vis versa. How many major league C you hear about that can hit but are still working on receiving and blocking and clubs are willing to put up with it even if it costs them games. For example we have Montero right hear in the Northwest catching for our beloved Mariners. Has he cost them or won them more games with his catching skills vs hitting skills?
In spring training all you heard was this kid can really swing it and now that the season is going all you hear about the continued need for improvement on defensive skills. If I have a player touching the ball every play and who has control over balls and strikes and can shut down a running game that is worth more than a guy who if he is successful is going to succeed 3 out of 10 times. Especially up hear in the Northwest where all people seem to be complaining about the lack of run production at Safeco field and how they need to move the fences in because we don't see enough Homeruns. Well maybe they better move the backstop up until they get a catcher who can stop a ball.
Here is a prime example of a player who doesn't seem to have off the chart #'s for catching but the description talks about his hitting and he must be good enough for the current National champs who mind you brought in a bunch of Catchers last year. Do they really want him to catch or play first and DH? We will see!

http://www.perfectgame.org/pla...ofile.aspx?ID=292442

I think another thread that needs to get started is Does your catcher hit from the Left side? My goodness it seems every guy I hear about is a left handed hitting Catcher!


Around the Horn, boy did you hit a home run on the lefty hitting catchers, tried to talk son into batting left, he used to switch hit but a coach told him switch hitting wasn't needed at Little League. I said to him, two catchers, one left, the other right, who do you think is going to play more?

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