Exit velocity

Can’t speak for others, but I would say don’t worry about tee exit velo.

That's above average for a 2026, you are on track...

Catcher26, kudos to you for putting in the hard work in the gym and asking questions in search of improvement. As a mom of a senior catcher, I'd suggest a continued focus in the weight room this off season with solid stretching/flexibility regimen. I agree with bpthrower about not worrying about tee exit velo. Keep up the good work!

Medicine ball slams.  Left, right middle.  10, 10, 10 for 3 sets after every workout.  As hard as you possibly can. 

Catcher;

Are you a right hand hitter? How and where do you place your hands on the bat handle? Do you practice with wood bats?

What exercise do you use to strength your hands and fingers? Who is your favorite ML hitter? Do you know the term "bat swing efficient?

Bob

Nobody cares what your exit velocity is off a tee. Literally. Nobody. Cares.

People care.  It is a good measure of growth.  Especially at such a young age.  Keep trying to get stronger. 

@BB and BB posted:

People care.  It is a good measure of growth.  Especially at such a young age.  Keep trying to get stronger.

Nobody that matters in terms of helping to advance a baseball career cares. Peers and parents care. Coaches don’t.

Son is also a 2026 and at least some of the travel organizations do seem to care.  The kids who hit harder, run faster, and throw harder are more closely looked at when team placement takes place - those kids are often placed on better teams that travel to more competitive/better tournaments.  While the numbers are not everything, I can certainly understand why our players are getting a different message, in some cases.

My 2026 son is currently doing exactly what you are - working on getting bigger, stronger, and faster, as his travel organization does measure numbers and the high school coaches absolutely noticed the boys who were hitting well and very hard in preseason workouts.  Keep up the hard work!

I appreciate everybody's responses, I understand that exit velo is not important in the eyes of recruiting however I find it to be a good way to track my progress and see if I am actually swinging the bat harder.

Questions:

Can he hit the curve? Can he steal first base? Does he use the "high tee"?

It is easy to "manipulate" exit velocity readings.

Bob

I get what you are looking for, but some kids just don't hit it hard on the tee. Are you hitting it harder/farther on the field? Do you have any facilities around you with Trackman or something similar?

Exit velo was not even talked about 20 years ago.  Now, it is everywhere.  Every batted ball is tracked.  It is important.  BUT, ONLY IF YOU CAN HIT!  It tells a coach how far you can hit a baseball IF you can hit.  All things equal, a coach will look harder at a recruit who hits a ball 100mph over a kid who only hits it 91. 

@BB and BB posted:

Exit velo was not even talked about 20 years ago.  Now, it is everywhere.  Every batted ball is tracked.  It is important.  BUT, ONLY IF YOU CAN HIT!  It tells a coach how far you can hit a baseball IF you can hit.  All things equal, a coach will look harder at a recruit who hits a ball 100mph over a kid who only hits it 91.

Yes, college and pro coaches talk about live exit velo. Travel coaches and showcases talk about tee exit velo. There are no college coaches anywhere who are going to turn down a kid because he's hitting 100+ on the field when he only hits 90 off the tee.

The only time an exit velo measurement is relevant is in game vs good pitching. And you don’t need a measurement to know when a ball is hit hard off an elite pitcher. Your eyes and ears will tell you. As Bob accurately stated, it’s easy to manipulate exit velo off a tee. And coaches know that. There are many more important things a ‘26 C should be working on. Such as bat path, approach, pitch recognition, going oppo, and situational hitting. Those are things that will make him a better player.

Adbono;

The tee is a classroom to refine the player's swing.

"High tee" to develop carry on the ball. "Low  tee" to develop fast hands and strong fingers. Tee on the corner to hit to the opposite field. The player set his routine and phase of work. When you are in the game it is "pass or fail".

"Swinging hard" = pitcher's change up" and over swing.

Bob

@Consultant posted:

Adbono;

The tee is a classroom to refine the player's swing.

"High tee" to develop carry on the ball. "Low  tee" to develop fast hands and strong fingers. Tee on the corner to hit to the opposite field. The player set his routine and phase of work. When you are in the game it is "pass or fail".

"Swinging hard" = pitcher's change up" and over swing.

Bob

I agree. Tee work is important and I’m a big fan of it when done as you described

My 2026 does do tee work like some of what @Consultant describes.  While I agree with @adbono, my experience is my own and not based on years of being involved in the game.

My 2026 has about the least impressive exit velo off the tee.  I think he might have one of the worst off a tee for all players his age at his HS.  They just measured it in HS and his absolutely sucked.  What he does do is hit for power consistently against a variety of pitches - best extra base hits and most 2B and 3B in spring.  My opinion is focusing on a metric that doesn’t mimic a game scenario can adversely affect your performance.  I know I saw Freddie Freeman’s tee work video again recently.  He’s not measuring velo or really anything but working on his hands and bat off the tee to perfect his ability to drive balls that are really hard to hit.

If you want to be like the King of JUCO YouTuber, keep the focus on tee exit velo.  If you want to be a top prospect, forget the velo and groove your swing so you can hit anything in the inside or outside, and for power.  

Great metrics. You should consider blast as it will have other important measurable to make sure you are heading in the right direction. Are you working with an instructor to optimize your swing and decision making/AB plan ?