Hi, I was wondering where my pitching speed is considered in the "average" scale with my age, height and weight. I throw around 77-81, I'm 15 and I am 5'9 and 130lbs. I am trying to gain some weight and muscle. If you have any good tips or ways to gain a good amount of weight in a healthy way it would be fully appreciated. Thank you for your time!
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DCPhillyBaseball,
I think any 60 time under 7 is good. I think any 60 time under 6.6 is great, but others with more experience may be able to answer that better. Our son has been taking something called Cytogainer that was reccomended by his trainer. He is gaining weight and muscle, but he is also working really hard on his diet and working really hard with a trainer who trains only baseball players. We bought Cytogainer at Nutri-Shop. It is approved for college athletes to use. Good luck!
DcPhilly,
Are you asking about Speed as in 60 times or do you mean velocity as in Pitch MHP?
DcPhilly,
Are you asking about Speed as in 60 times or do you mean velocity as in Pitch MHP?
My bad, I meant my velocity. But thank you to 2014 Prospect on the tips!
At age fifteen, 5'9", 130 don't worry about velocity. You're going to fill out and get stronger over the next couple of years. Focus on mechanics, physical strength and arm strength. When you fill out the velocity will fall into place.
77-81 is fine for a freshman. If you're a lefty, things are even better.
The key question is how you will or won't likely fill out. If your parents are about your size, then there is no guarantee you'll get much bigger or stronger. But if your dad is 6'6" and he had a history of shooting up between ages 15-17, different story.
I disagree wtih DcPhilly about approach. You should absolutely put effort into building velocity in the coming years. Some MPH will come from maturation, but more comes to those who apply themselves. Good mechanics should lead to better MPH as well as to better control. Don't listen to anyone who tells you to work on spot control first and MPH second. Proper mechanics will improve both at once, and anything that leads you to think you're OK neglecting one in favor of the other is leading you astray. To succeed long term, you will need both.
Midlo,
Might be a bit strong to suggest that someone recommending mechanics over velocity is leading someone astray. My experience is that mechanics are the foundation of a smooth, repeatable delivery. Fast pitches with poor mechanics- consider yourself blessed but realize you'll have to change the bad mechanical habits and habits are hard to break. I'd rather someone get good mechanics and then build strength through drills. You're right that good mechanics may improve velocity so as a general recommendation I'd tell pitchers to first focus on good habits (mechanics).
My son is from a south texas school and is 5'8 and 130. He is a young freshman and is only 14 yrs old. His bday is in July but has great mechanics and throws 75-78. he is left handed and I'm 6'1 so I think he will grow more. The coach does not like left handed pitchers so he does not throw much. I do think he has a future in college and a lot of other high school teams want him. Just don't understand why the coach does not use him.
DcPhliiy,
Go to the strength and conditioning forum and look around there and do some searches and you will find all kinds of advice on gaining muscle mass.
Yotes.....Your son's coach does not like to throw lefty's.......Yikes.
He is likely the upper 10% of his age group as far as velocity.
Yotes, did I read that right? A h.s. coach that does not like lefties? These are mental issues that perhaps can't be dealt with here at HSBBW. 
Seriously, your son is young and if he progresses and keeps up his velocity it won't matter. Some college will want him. BTW height is not a factor, take it from me.
Yotes - There could be many reasons that the coach does not pitch your son (right now), but only the coach knows the reasoning and logic. How many other pitchers are there, is your son "needed" at another position (1B), is yotes-jr throwing strikes and getting outs?
I just find it hard to believe that any coach and any level "does not like left handed pitchers".
Actually the philosophy is to not throw freshman on varsity, it's there opinion no freshman should play even if they are better than older classman. Other schools play the best players, this does not. Hemo son is setup with a houston showcase team and will feet his college opportunity even though the high school coach is very old school. Must be the politics.
yotes78 - Is there an opportunity to start on JV? You are right, to not start a kid on V with the sole logic being that he is a freshman seems "old school". If that is the case, then he should really be on JV. There is no reason to have a freshman watching the varsity game from the bench when he could be playing on JV.. or the freshman team for that matter. Your son is a tall lefty freshman throwing 75-78. How are the other V pitchers? Is your son throwing strikes and getting outs?
Hi, I was wondering where my pitching speed is considered in the "average" scale with my age, height and weight. I throw around 77-81, I'm 15 and I am 5'9 and 130lbs. I am trying to gain some weight and muscle. If you have any good tips or ways to gain a good amount of weight in a healthy way it would be fully appreciated. Thank you for your time!
I recommend balanced nutrition to go along with the weight gain shakes coupled with a goal oriented strength conditioning and muscular development program.
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77-81 at 5'9, 130 for a 15 year old is very good. Keep working...on both velocity, pitch selection and control. I'm not sure of the quality of HS baseball in the Philly area...but if he pushes that up to 85mph by his junior year, he's going to be a problem for the majority of HS hitters to handle.
Mechanics, mechanics, mechanics. Start at a young age (usually 8) to instill fundamental smooth mechanics. These are the true building blocks for success. If you wait until he is 13 or older, it is very difficult to correct bad habits without commitment to many many hours in the off season.
Velocity is increased naturally "in part" by creating AND maintaining proper mechanics. Dropping (buckling the knee) the back leg, throwing open or closed, breaking hands early or late, poor hip rotation, bad front arm movement, stride length..........are just some of the issues that kills velocity and hurts control.
NEVER put mechanics over velocity or vice versa when you are 15 and older. BOTH should be worked on. proper mechanics can add 5-6 mph without more effort. Throwing proper "high velocity" bullpens in addition to throwing zones is the best way to work on both. Hopefully your building block fundamentals are already apparent and the need to "tweak and maintain" is the only issue when you continue any training (pylometrics best)
For Love of the Game~
