Florida vs South Carolina - channel 41 - Noon
For those of you that need to watch some Baseball today.
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My son and I watched it. The 1st baseman from Florida is a beast!
quote:The 1st baseman from Florida is a beast!
My son and I watched it too! What about that collision at first! The FL 1B flipped up in the air and it didn't seem to phase him much. Of course, he got the out called, so that probably helped! Very good game.
I dont know if those radar guns were right, but I noticed a lot of low to mid 80's fastballs.
Tuzi,
Matt LaPorta (1B)can flat out mash. His first two years he was an All American. Last year he got banged up (still drafted 14th round by BoSox). He is on the watch list as the nation's top collegiate player. His Height is hurting his draft (6'1" First Basemen).
Matt LaPorta (1B)can flat out mash. His first two years he was an All American. Last year he got banged up (still drafted 14th round by BoSox). He is on the watch list as the nation's top collegiate player. His Height is hurting his draft (6'1" First Basemen).
Kenny -- Yes, you were reading it right ... there are very few guys in the SEC or anywhere in D-1 with significant FBs .... most of the harder throwing guys are in JCs --- one significant exception being David Price from Vandy 
PLUS, it was the Sunday game and the top starters had pitched earlier
PLUS, it was the Sunday game and the top starters had pitched earlier
The big arms are in the SEC. Friday night and Saturday starters and closers.
If you know anything about the SEC is that every hitter can hit fastballs. Lots of successful pitchers, in the SEC and elsewhere, have to change speeds or else they'll get smoked.
High school kids don't understand that yet, because most kids that throw 86+ in high school, can throw the ball by 7 of the 9 kids in a high school lineup. Can't do that at a major college program. All the hitters can hit fastballs.
Look at Jeremy Sowers, who was a 1st rounder out of high school and a 1st rounder out of Vanderbilt.
With the Indians now. A lefthander. He pitched against the White Sox on Friday and topped out at 86. But...He's a pitcher. Made Konerko and others looks foolish at times.
If you know anything about the SEC is that every hitter can hit fastballs. Lots of successful pitchers, in the SEC and elsewhere, have to change speeds or else they'll get smoked.
High school kids don't understand that yet, because most kids that throw 86+ in high school, can throw the ball by 7 of the 9 kids in a high school lineup. Can't do that at a major college program. All the hitters can hit fastballs.
Look at Jeremy Sowers, who was a 1st rounder out of high school and a 1st rounder out of Vanderbilt.
With the Indians now. A lefthander. He pitched against the White Sox on Friday and topped out at 86. But...He's a pitcher. Made Konerko and others looks foolish at times.
For the record, before people get confused. Jeremy Sowers was 92 mph as a junior in high school.
It is a lot easier to subtract than it is to add velocity. Maddux was also blowing 90+ fastballs by hitters in high school.
It is a lot easier to subtract than it is to add velocity. Maddux was also blowing 90+ fastballs by hitters in high school.
MD42....Kenny.....
With son in his first year of playing in D3, I noticed the same thing, and so did he. The pitchers are more inclined to get a kid out with off-speed stuff than with speed. Like Beenthere said, most anyone can hit fastballs, but the real challenge comes in college when these same fastball hitters have to learn how to hit off-speed stuff.
I've also noticed that if a hitter goes 0-1, 0-2, 1-2, that most pitchers are 'living' outside and away, up or down. Haven't seen alot of 'smoke' yet. I know its D3, and the quality of pitching is in the upper levels, but even watching Florida play against South Carolina yesterday showed me that speed isn't everything. It certainly commands more attention than a 84-87 mph pitcher, but a good change-up or curve ball gets the job done
I know Andy has had to make adjustments at the plate with his moving toward or away from the pitcher, which to me is a great thing. Its making him think about his at bats. His average may suffer, but he's learn how to read pitches and pitchers better. During his Florida trip, he faced a couple of nationally ranked kids who didn't have alot of speed. They just kept hitting their spots and changing speeds. The one kid is from York, Andy Shields, and is a senior at Washington U. Not fast, but good speed changes and hit his spots. Lived outside. Reminded me of Maddux, ground balls, and fly balls. JMHO
With son in his first year of playing in D3, I noticed the same thing, and so did he. The pitchers are more inclined to get a kid out with off-speed stuff than with speed. Like Beenthere said, most anyone can hit fastballs, but the real challenge comes in college when these same fastball hitters have to learn how to hit off-speed stuff.
I've also noticed that if a hitter goes 0-1, 0-2, 1-2, that most pitchers are 'living' outside and away, up or down. Haven't seen alot of 'smoke' yet. I know its D3, and the quality of pitching is in the upper levels, but even watching Florida play against South Carolina yesterday showed me that speed isn't everything. It certainly commands more attention than a 84-87 mph pitcher, but a good change-up or curve ball gets the job done
I know Andy has had to make adjustments at the plate with his moving toward or away from the pitcher, which to me is a great thing. Its making him think about his at bats. His average may suffer, but he's learn how to read pitches and pitchers better. During his Florida trip, he faced a couple of nationally ranked kids who didn't have alot of speed. They just kept hitting their spots and changing speeds. The one kid is from York, Andy Shields, and is a senior at Washington U. Not fast, but good speed changes and hit his spots. Lived outside. Reminded me of Maddux, ground balls, and fly balls. JMHO
In deference to you, PG. I don't know about his numbers in high school; and, I know he was a stud at Vanderbilt. You know how I love the SEC.
I watched the game versus the White Sox...about 5 innings...before he was taken out of the game.
Topped out at 89 once...Cruised 83-86 on that day. He is definitely a pitcher and not a thrower.
I watched the game versus the White Sox...about 5 innings...before he was taken out of the game.
Topped out at 89 once...Cruised 83-86 on that day. He is definitely a pitcher and not a thrower.
Im just saying, I know a couple fellows that are at least 87-89 with some good off speed that havent been contacted by an SEC school in their life.
Kenny,
They should contact the school themselves.
Plenty of guys in the SEC at 87-89...More than you might think. Not everyone cruises at 90 in the SEC. Only 1 or 2 pitchers get drafted from each club each year.
Lots of mid week starters are less than 87-89 and play a ton.
They should contact the school themselves.
Plenty of guys in the SEC at 87-89...More than you might think. Not everyone cruises at 90 in the SEC. Only 1 or 2 pitchers get drafted from each club each year.
Lots of mid week starters are less than 87-89 and play a ton.