The games I have watched have all had hard throwers. I haven't seen a guy yet that was not cruising along in the 90's.
Velocity matters! LOL
Who was that guy, 130K's with 7BB's for the season. How is that possible?
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Two years ago Joey Denato (Indiana) cruised 87. He's a 5'10" lefty. Last year he was one of the top winners in the country (15). He was drafted in the 19th round due to his physical shortcomings. He's been very successful in the minors so far. One year in he's in high A.
Yes, the big, hard throwers draw the attention. But an adequate fastball, control, command and composure wins.
Originally Posted by RJM:
Two years ago Joey Denato (Indiana) cruised 87. He's a 5'10" lefty. Last year he was one of the top winners in the country (15). He was drafted in the 19th round due to his physical shortcomings. He's been very successful in the minors so far. One year in he's in high A.
Yes, the big, hard throwers draw the attention. But an adequate fastball, control, command and composure wins.
No doubt!
Is it me, or is in the CWS 90+ becoming much more common?
MLB hitters comment on how velocity is up in the bigs. A constant borage of heat pushing 95mph. From the starter, reliever, and closer. With the more 100mph plus in the game today than in all of history.
The CWS seems to be supporting that trend as well.
DeNato is in full season A - he's an all-star this year. his velo has risen a bit since he is now an RP.
Originally Posted by real green:
The games I have watched have all had hard throwers. I haven't seen a guy yet that was not cruising along in the 90's.
Velocity matters! LOL
Who was that guy, 130K's with 7BB's for the season. How is that possible?
That would be Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Cal State Fullerton. His three-year career at CSUF thus far.....363 IP, 1.66 ERA, 307 K and.........18 BB. Absurd, silly numbers. Not an over-powering guy, upper 80's - very low 90's. Non-human fastball command.
Supplemental First Round pick, I predict he will be the first starting P in this year's draft to make the bigs.
Originally Posted by real green:
The games I have watched have all had hard throwers. I haven't seen a guy yet that was not cruising along in the 90's.
Velocity matters! LOL
Who was that guy, 130K's with 7BB's for the season. How is that possible?
The teams you are watching are among the very best in the country.
Most got that way due to outstanding pitching with lots of arms ready and available.
IMO this hasn't changed, when mine was in college the top programs had guys throwing 90+ as well.
When I was there last year (only saw three games) I was shocked the other way around - how few guys were in the 90's.
Originally Posted by 2020dad:
When I was there last year (only saw three games) I was shocked the other way around - how few guys were in the 90's.
I will give you my opinion based on my sons experience.
Draft is over and tired arms.
Plus most of these 2015 teams have the best pitching instruction in the country.
Originally Posted by 2020dad:
When I was there last year (only saw three games) I was shocked the other way around - how few guys were in the 90's.
That's what I have been seeing too. A lot of guys throwing in the high 80's. I have been really surprised...
IMHO, high eighties are where most of D1 baseball sits... Of coarse most of these players are not drafted.
TCU's best pitcher (coach's words not mine) Preston Morrison doesn't touch 90. Against A&M in the Supers I think he touched 87.
Topped at 83 as a senior in HS in Jupiter. Was successful all four years at TCU. 8th round draft pick.
He has off the charts pitchability and is a fierce competitor. Also nothing he throws is straight.
I go to and watch a lot of college games. Spanning all of D1 IMO there are many more pitchers that sit less than 90 than sit above 90.
Topped at 83 as a senior in HS in Jupiter. Was successful all four years at TCU. 8th round draft pick.
He has off the charts pitchability and is a fierce competitor. Also nothing he throws is straight.
I go to and watch a lot of college games. Spanning all of D1 IMO there are many more pitchers that sit less than 90 than sit above 90.
Need to add. Look up Ryan Johnson at Vandy. You hear all about those hard throwing Vandy pitchers.
Ryan is 5-1 this year. I watched a start this year where his fastball did not touch 80!! If I recall correctly he was perfect through 5+ that day.
Ryan is 5-1 this year. I watched a start this year where his fastball did not touch 80!! If I recall correctly he was perfect through 5+ that day.
All three starters for Oregon State sat around 90 with Travis Eckert probably being the lowest (topped 95 in regionals, sat 89-92).
Andrew Moore (2nd round, Mariners) was 89-93 for most of the year, topping 95 vs. Texas.
Drew Rasmussen (FR, Team USA invite) was 95-97 in the first inning vs. VCU and settled in around 92-95.
So the better schools tend to have good arms. It also depends on what the team prioritizes. A lot of teams have arms that come in and throw a lot slower because they pound "THROW STRIKES" into their heads. Oregon State and Vanderbilt are a lot different and prioritize velocity. Vandy's weekend starters weren't close to dipping below 90, not especially Carson Fulmer...
If you can top at 95, you have a very nice chance of being drafted nowadays.
Otherwise your chances are drastically reduced.
Other than Preston Morrison, topping at 90 and being drafted in any higher round is almost like seeing Big Foot.
Most of the guys in the Show that throw under 90 today, were not drafted in that way.
Originally Posted by Kyle Boddy:
All three starters for Oregon State sat around 90 with Travis Eckert probably being the lowest (topped 95 in regionals, sat 89-92).
Andrew Moore (2nd round, Mariners) was 89-93 for most of the year, topping 95 vs. Texas.
Drew Rasmussen (FR, Team USA invite) was 95-97 in the first inning vs. VCU and settled in around 92-95.
So the better schools tend to have good arms. It also depends on what the team prioritizes. A lot of teams have arms that come in and throw a lot slower because they pound "THROW STRIKES" into their heads. Oregon State and Vanderbilt are a lot different and prioritize velocity. Vandy's weekend starters weren't close to dipping below 90, not especially Carson Fulmer...
I think that a lot of teams we are seeing in Omaha, besides winning, prioritize on developing pitchers into those that will be drafted their junior year so they can give their scholarship money to the next guy.
Lot's of 90's plus posted over the weekend! LOL When I was a kid, 1980's, I remember getting excited about MLB guys pushing 90 and the VERY FEW that were in the 90's was something to watch.
Today it's just the opposite for me, I get excited watching the few guys that get it done under 90. I love seeing the slow junk followed by a 87mph FB that the hitter is behind on.
I don't get real excited about velocity until they start pushing 100mph now. While it might not be common for MLB guys to average mid 90's, MANY guys touch mid 90's every outing.