Converting a catcher to a pitcher

My son did the same thing entering his senior year of high school.  He was (is??) a very strong defensive catcher with a plus arm.  Once he started pitching, the general interest in him ramped up considerably and he is sticking with focus on pitching.  I would say let it play out for a while and see where it leads.

Agree with 9and7, let it play out.  Having that kind of pop time keeps catching as a legitimate secondary fallback position.  If he can touch 90 now, assuming he has not worked out much as far as pitching mechanics go, he should have no prob sitting low 90's after some time in the pen on the mound.  Good luck

 

Thanks!

He's warming up to the idea, pitching coach has some MILB experience and is working on mechanics and teaching him some other pitches. Last time he pitched was in the 12yr old U-trip state tourney when they played 6 games on championship Sunday and were almost out of pitching so I think his mechanics are probably non existent, the learning is exciting him. Threw 2 innings in a inner squad Saturday and got out of it with 21 pitches then put on the gear and caught 6 innings. Coach said the scout that shot his throw to 2nd in the game called and said get him on the mound. He said he will be playing both positions with some 2nd base mixed in so he's pretty excited and that's a good thing.

Well yesterday he made his debut in the first fall game, pitched third inning gave up 2 hits, 1 run on 19 pitches. Sat 92-93 on fastball slider was not that great but threw 3 out of 8 for strikes. 1 pop up to catcher, 1 ground out to short and 1 fly out to center. He was pleased with the inning. Put the gear on and caught the rest of the game and threw 2 out trying to seal second. DH'd and played short second game till the rain ended everything. Coach was pleased with the effort and said upcoming weekend they will push it to 2 innings, guess I will be making a 6 hour trip to see it.

I might look at this a bit differently. We see many pitchers every year that throw in the low 90s.  We have only seen one or two catchers in the last 20 years with that combination of velocity and pop time.  So if he can hit and shows power potential he should be a highly regarded prospect as a catcher.

 

I suppose the thinking is about his ceiling as a pitcher.  If he has just started, I suppose anything is possible.  But right now he sounds like a catcher with a great arm.

Honestly I think the hitting is the issue, always has been more of a hit for average gap to gap hitter, never a power hitter. That's how he ended where he is on the recommendation of a D1 coach so they can fix that, and I don't guess they could. He's been to a few of your events with the NOLA group and Coach T-Bus and I think everyone they talked to said the same. We had a long conversation last night and my thinking is like yours but he really is excited about the possabilities and said he's gonna play it out and see where it goes. He's almost 20 so it's his choice now and I'll just be encouraging as much as I don't totally agree with him.

IMO he should stick to catching.

curious, do they plan on him pitching/catching in same game all the time. 

I hope not, it's JUCO fall ball it's kind of like a showcase team in the fall. They are just getting sophomores the looks to try and get them moved on.

If he eventually gets drafted he may end up like our college team's catcher. He did not pitch one inning for Delta State in two years but then he was drafted and has not had one AB as a catcher. Pitching only in the minors.

I am a Catcher Coach; so I have a bias.  I have seen excellent catchers converted (temporarily) to pitchers and shortstops because they have good arms and are good athletes.  As pitchers, many elbows are injured because they continue to throw like catchers. Catchers use "bow & arrow" type mechanics to attain the quick, accurate throws to second base. In a given game, that accounts for a dozen or so throws (most between innings).  That can work as a relief pitcher but NOT as a starting pitcher.

Some coaches do not consider the player best interest.

Remember this quote: "the fastest route to becoming a major leaguer was as a catcher."

 

Rick hit the nail on the head. Threw 7 pitches in the inning, saw the gun said 97. I was busy looking at that. When I looked up I saw his coach talking to him on the mound and I said to my wife is he pulling him already she said he hurt something look at his face. He walked off the field an came to get some ice, I met him and he said he felt a pop in his arm, it was swollen on the fore arm by elbow. MRI is tomorrow and we are hoping for the best. He's scared and so are we. He said he's not having surgery he will rehab it and I'm thinking it's all over now. Don't know how to say you should have stuck to catching without sounding harsh. At least I got to see what was possibly be his last game is all I keep telling myself.

3T's Dad.  Man, I hated reading that news.  Best wishes for tomorrow.

I am truly sorry to hear this.  I have seen this too many times.  BUT, each catcher that suffered this, MADE IT BACK to catching again; without surgery!

This thread caught my eye tonight because my 2016 catcher came home today saying that he hit 90 on the gun today and the coach told him his catching days are over.  I have never wanted him to pitch, and I still don't.

 

Your son's experience might help my son make a more thoughtful decision.  Thank you for sharing a very difficult time for your family.  Best of luck tomorrow.

Some coaches are myopic. 

Listen closely when he said "his catching days are over".

 

I'm sorry. Modern medicine gives us much hope. Keep us informed.

Reminds me of Winemiller the D3 pitcher from Case Western. He had not pitched until a summer in the NYCBL. He hit the mid 90's and was drafted it the 25th round by the Jays. Before that he was a backup catcher at Case. Now, I hope someone is watching out for his mechanics. He is going back to Case for his senior year. He admittedly is a reliever for them so not as much work on the arm. 

MRI showed a minor tear in the UCL and a lot of stretching in the UCL. 4-8 weeks of rehab to start and no throwing for 4 weeks. Looking like a red shirt coach said he won't play with it and that's fine by me. Doc said with the amount of stretching it was a matter of time more of a when not a if thing so pitching or catching it would have happened sooner or later, pitching just made it sooner. Son said when I go back to catching I'm doing some serious arm care and that was music to my ears.

You should ask the doctor about doing PRP treatments. It's kind of new, but from what I've read, it sounds like your son's condition might be a good situation for it.