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HS Pitching

D DPElite9910+ posts
My son will be entering HS in the fall. Since he has played from age 8, he has been used only on occasion ( May be every 3-6 games) as a pitcher. (His current primary and secondary positions are 1st and 3rd.)

His current coach is starting to use him more in games as a pitcher. As he as grown quite a bit in the past year more and more coaches and more knowledgeable parents than I have remarked how they expect him to move to that position as he gets older. I am somewhat skeptical as to me it seems he does not throw hard enough. And No, I have never put a gun on him.
Could not tell you how good his location is but he averages anywhere from 30-40% strikes at 14U depending on the day, team and umpire. He never has pitched over 4 innings. (We and his coach try to keep him at less than 60 due to growth plate issues when he was 12)He has a good demeanor on the mound, doesn't seem to let errors, walks or being taken deep bother him to the point it affects his pitching. And No, I have never put a gun on him.

Here in Orlando, most HS teams do not have their pitchers bat in the lineup, I guess because they ususualy do not get enough time to work on their hitting during practice. My concern is next year, if they mark him as a pitcher, he will not see many games and therefore limit his chances for a college somewhere. (His coach believes he could go to a D2 or D3 somewhere provided his work ethic keeps up)

He just turned 14, Height is 6'-2" about 170 lbs. I would be interested in hearing from parents who have faced this situation before, both going into HS and going into College. Should he try to keep playing the corners as well as pitch?

Thanks
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ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Should he try to keep playing the corners as well as pitch?

What does he want to do? Shouldn't it be his call?

Nobody knows right now what level of college or pros he is qualified imho. If the young man wants to pitch then encourage him to pitch. If he wants to hit, then encourage that. If he wants to do both, encourage that as well. If he is one of the team's best hitters, they are not going to rot him on the bench because he pitches imho. The trick is for "him" (not you) to absolutely convince the coaches he is one of the team's best hitters.

IMHO, it is way too early to be worried about anything. Trust that his talent will be recognized be it pitching and/or hitting and let it go at that. Enjoy the ride. The future will take care of itself.
P 80PATRIOT100+ posts
DP, mine was in a simular situation. The JV teams in our area won't sacrifice his bat. Not all coaches are the same but they are going to want to develop him as a pitcher and a hitter and a 3b and a 1b. You don't know what is going to happen. If he pitches pretty good as far as varsity goes, just let it happen. He will always have May through January to work on the rest.

If you look at our HS team from last year, the starting SS and 3b ended up being the number 1 and 2 pitcher when the finals came around.

If he goes to DP, Coach Barefoot will know what to do.
Last edited by 80PATRIOT
BD Baseball Dad 46100+ posts
IMHO--Give it a few more years. I just had a discussion on this about my son. He is a freshman just turned 15. He was on freshman team starting 3B, one of starting pitchers , batting 3 or 4. Got moved up to soph to play 3 B as that was there need , he gets to pitch a little, and bats 9th. The coaches are terrific and have put him in situations that I beleive have helped him settle in. I do wish he got to pitch more (but a wish is only a wish Smile) but overall both my son and I are happy with the situation. He has done very well overall, batting over 300, no E's at third, has a 3-0 record as pitcher with just over 2.0 Era. We have been told by everyone that because he is such a good pitcher that is were his future is but ultimatly it will be his coaches who deciede were-when and if he will play. Best of luck to your boy and I hope his High School experience will be as good as my sons Smile
Last edited by Baseball Dad 46
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
I would not worry about it. He will find his way. Any "planning" you do will get turned upside down once he reaches HS. Many times a player will end up where he is needed more than "his position". If he likes pitching let have him practice pitching. If not then don't worry about it. BTW my son started at 1st, they moved him to 3rd last year and this year he is the starting left fielder when not pitching. Next year who knows.

The only other thing I would add is "if he can hit they will find a spot for him" This is very very true in HS.
Last edited by BOF
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
It appears the coach is projecting on your son's college ball potential based on physical possibilities. He still has to become a pitcher. If I had an entering freshman that size I'd be trying to make him a pitcher too. Learn the game. Enjoy the game. Then the possibilities will present themselves. Be careful about discussing the coach's views on your son's college potential with players parents. Some will be jealous.
Last edited by RJM
Hawk19Hawk19100+ posts
quote:
Since he has played from age 8, he has been used only on occasion ( May be every 3-6 games) as a pitcher. (His current primary and secondary positions are 1st and 3rd.)


If he pitches every 3-6 games, I would consider him a pitcher. Just not an overused pitcher, which is good.

If you're curious, why not have him gunned? You might be surprised. I would assume that he throws at least average (mid-70's) for a 14U and I'll bet he throws more that 50% strikes. If he only throws 30% strikes, he would, on average, walk every batter...
D DPElite9910+ posts
I very much appreciate all the feedback. As little as I know about HS ball, (or baseball for that matter) this helps alleviate my concerns. Sometimes its hard not to get caught up in what everyone says about your boy! (80Patriot, DP is actually one of the two possible places he will end up, I figure its about a 90% chance he will go there)

Thanks everyone for their input, it is much appreciated!
C Coachric1,000+ posts
Hi Dp. I coached against alot of orlando programs that used pitchers only. We gave our players a chance to play where they were productive and competitive. He can hone his pitching in the summer and fall ball programs and then be prepared for the spring. If he can hit and pitch, he will be a great combo for any program. If you don't mind me asking, what HS will he be attending? Keep in mind that several elite players in the area both pitch and play the field and can hit.
D DPElite9910+ posts
Coachric,

You're' correct. As of today it is looking like he will be going to DP in the fall. There was an outside chance he may have gone to Windermere Prep but that pretty much fell through today. He plays for Gil Morales travel team. He coaches at Windermere and just relocated last summer to Orlando from Jacksonville where he won 3 Class A state championships. He is a great coach and really has raised my sons level of play. Because he grew almost 4 inches since January his hitting is off, but may start coming around soon. He is a very intelligent player, and fields very well. As I said he probably is not the hardest throwing kid around but his mound demeanor is excellent-he just has never really focused on pitching yet.

From what parents of two current players tell me, Barefoot may be handing over his program to the assistant sometime in the next few seasons. They also told me my son would fit in well there. (they have watched him come up through LL until age 10, and then travel ball)

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