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Converting a catcher to a pitcher

PU Pop Up Hitter dad1,000+ posts

CAgirl,

Let me tell you what happened to my son. He started out as a pitcher, pitched regularly through Freshman HS. Was a very good pitcher. Dad thought catching would get him farther, he had catcher's build and an accurate cannon for arm. However the further he went (college), the more apparent his hitting wasn't good enough. He went back to pitching senior year of college, did very well. He was briefly scouted, but his number never came. From his last college game, he played only once, an alumni game. He hasn't spoken a word since or picked up a baseball.

 

The moral of this story is, teams cannot afford a light hitting catcher no matter what the defense wins games crowd claims (see Mike Zunino). So, your son has a good arm, pitches well, but struggles at the plate, concentrate on pitching. Good luck.

CaCO3GirlCaCO3Girl10,000+ posts
Originally Posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:

So, your son has a good arm, pitches well, but struggles at the plate, concentrate on pitching. Good luck.

That's not the problem. My 2020 son has a good arm, accurate throw downs, pitches well, bats 3rd or 4th, and is projected to be about 6'1. His current positions are 1B, backup catcher, and one of the top pitchers.  He now throws hard enough that this P and C combo has me concerned, but frankly I can't say which way I think he should focus on. As of this moment he is more talented at pitching, but as of this moment he likes catching more.

 

 

bballmanbballman10,000+ posts

I would say for now, let him do what he likes most.  At some point, it will become apparent what he needs to do if he wants to continue playing.  As others have stated, it will usually come down to whether he is a better hitter or a better pitcher.  What are the better chances of playing beyond HS?  Here is a breakdown of my son's team this coming year:

 

7 infielders

4 outfielders

5 catchers (my son says they are probably moving one of these to OF)

19 pitchers

 

Yeah, pitchers are in big demand...

CoachJackECoachJackE500+ posts
Originally Posted by 3 T's Dad:

Catcher son who is in sophomore at a JUCO is being converted to a pitcher. Has a strong arm, consistent pop's in 1.7's and has been clocked by a scouts radar gun throwing 92 from behind the plate in a game throwing a runner out last season. Smaller framed catcher 6'3 175. Comes in this year, workouts start, throws a 1.76 and coach says were putting you on the mound, if you can throw low 90's from the mound you'll get there faster than being a catcher. Threw first inning of inner squad the next day, ten pitches, sat upper 80's touched 91 once and was out the inning. Son is not quite sure what he thinks or what to do but says he will do whatever helps the team and gets him there quicker.

How common is this? Should he just let it play out and see where it ends up?

I know of a case where an Astros minor league catcher, cut due to .225 BA took pitching lessons from a coach I know and subsequently drafted by the Nationals

(had to have been about 3 years ago) He happened to be giving catching lessons at that time.

TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Originally Posted by CoachJackE:
Originally Posted by 3 T's Dad:

Catcher son who is in sophomore at a JUCO is being converted to a pitcher. Has a strong arm, consistent pop's in 1.7's and has been clocked by a scouts radar gun throwing 92 from behind the plate in a game throwing a runner out last season. Smaller framed catcher 6'3 175. Comes in this year, workouts start, throws a 1.76 and coach says were putting you on the mound, if you can throw low 90's from the mound you'll get there faster than being a catcher. Threw first inning of inner squad the next day, ten pitches, sat upper 80's touched 91 once and was out the inning. Son is not quite sure what he thinks or what to do but says he will do whatever helps the team and gets him there quicker.

How common is this? Should he just let it play out and see where it ends up?

I know of a case where an Astros minor league catcher, cut due to .225 BA took pitching lessons from a coach I know and subsequently drafted by the Nationals

(had to have been about 3 years ago) He happened to be giving catching lessons at that time.

You can't be drafted after you have been cut?!?!?!

In milb this happens often, good are can't hit and never will be behind home plate. Very rarely do they make a 25 man roster.

CoachJackECoachJackE500+ posts
Originally Posted by TPM:
Originally Posted by CoachJackE:
Originally Posted by 3 T's Dad:

Catcher son who is in sophomore at a JUCO is being converted to a pitcher. Has a strong arm, consistent pop's in 1.7's and has been clocked by a scouts radar gun throwing 92 from behind the plate in a game throwing a runner out last season. Smaller framed catcher 6'3 175. Comes in this year, workouts start, throws a 1.76 and coach says were putting you on the mound, if you can throw low 90's from the mound you'll get there faster than being a catcher. Threw first inning of inner squad the next day, ten pitches, sat upper 80's touched 91 once and was out the inning. Son is not quite sure what he thinks or what to do but says he will do whatever helps the team and gets him there quicker.

How common is this? Should he just let it play out and see where it ends up?

I know of a case where an Astros minor league catcher, cut due to .225 BA took pitching lessons from a coach I know and subsequently drafted by the Nationals

(had to have been about 3 years ago) He happened to be giving catching lessons at that time.

You can't be drafted after you have been cut?!?!?!

In milb this happens often, good are can't hit and never will be behind home plate. Very rarely do they make a 25 man roster.

Maybe I used the wrong term, but I met the gent and he went from C to P and he was using the same pitching coach as were my two grandsons. The PC was a MLB P 

Mauro Gozzo You can contact him if you need to know the exact process. 

 

TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Originally Posted by CoachJackE:
Originally Posted by TPM:
Originally Posted by CoachJackE:
Originally Posted by 3 T's Dad:

Catcher son who is in sophomore at a JUCO is being converted to a pitcher. Has a strong arm, consistent pop's in 1.7's and has been clocked by a scouts radar gun throwing 92 from behind the plate in a game throwing a runner out last season. Smaller framed catcher 6'3 175. Comes in this year, workouts start, throws a 1.76 and coach says were putting you on the mound, if you can throw low 90's from the mound you'll get there faster than being a catcher. Threw first inning of inner squad the next day, ten pitches, sat upper 80's touched 91 once and was out the inning. Son is not quite sure what he thinks or what to do but says he will do whatever helps the team and gets him there quicker.

How common is this? Should he just let it play out and see where it ends up?

I know of a case where an Astros minor league catcher, cut due to .225 BA took pitching lessons from a coach I know and subsequently drafted by the Nationals

(had to have been about 3 years ago) He happened to be giving catching lessons at that time.

You can't be drafted after you have been cut?!?!?!

In milb this happens often, good are can't hit and never will be behind home plate. Very rarely do they make a 25 man roster.

Maybe I used the wrong term, but I met the gent and he went from C to P and he was using the same pitching coach as were my two grandsons. The PC was a MLB P 

Mauro Gozzo You can contact him if you need to know the exact process. 

 

I think that you meant was signed as a free agent by the Nat's as a pitcher after the Astros released him as a catcher.

I understand the process, I don't need to contact the pitching coach.

TD 3 T's Dad100+ posts

He made the cut after the fall season. He stressed about it for a while. Had to figure out his release point when throwing across the field, everything high or low for awhile and sailed a few in to the stands. Once he figured it out he hit the jump ropes to try and get rid of this catchers feet. A tad heavy for a middle infielder. Moved him over to 3rd and it was almost natural.

Never put the gear on except for scout day and threw a 1.84 so he was pleased. Went 12 for 18 with 4 doubles 1 triple and a almost in the parker, got him at the plate.

Don't know what the spring plans are, he's just happy he made the cut. When they played the fall ws he had the game of his life and after the family / team dinner he looked at us and said if that was the last game I ever played in I am ok with it because that's how I want to go out. I thought to myself that's how I'd want you to go out too, with a big smile on your face and no regrets.

 

 

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