So so many years ago the question was asked on Letstalkpitching, which is more important, velo or command. The answer was velo. Command could be taught, velo was god given. Is not Allen the poster boy for this line of thought?
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I think you can't generalize that like this. The issue is you simply need a certain minimum velo to be successful in pro ball which these days is probably about 90 (95 is better of course). This means until teams don't see you at least have a chance to throw 90 one day they won't care for your command. This is because improving velo for adult players who have finished growing and have lifted some weights already was believed to be almost impossible (a 13yo is different of course as he is still growing).
Recently that has changed a little with weighted balls but still once you reach physical maturity potential has its limits.
That means as a starting point you need to have the potential to throw 90 (or high 80s for college) before you even care about command.
But on the other hand just like a hitter needs to hit and not just have raw bat speed at some point a pitcher at least needs to be able to put it into or near the box and the track record for really wild adult pitchers who gain command is also not great but still a better chance than a physically mature 81mph pitcher learning to throw 90.
However recently some mlb teams have had good success adding velo to good command pitchers. Shane bieber is a good example, he had 4 good pitches and great command but throwing low 90s he was just ok. Then he started to throw 95 and became a monster.
So teams with good velo programs might want to get good command throwers and make them throw harder but still we are talking a couple mph here (like 86 to 90) and not 77 to 95 of course, so a certain minimum must already be present.
As for kids I think you should train both. There are some guys out there now who say throw or swing hard and worry about control later to develope the quick twitch ability but I believe really into a more balanced approach of working on speed, mechanics and control at the same time (maybe not always in the same session).
The story I've heard in the past is that velo will get you on the team and command will make sure you stay there and are given opportunities to pitch.
I think he's a great example. When the Browns drafted Mayfield, I was really hoping they'd take Allen. I figured he'd be the roughest initially but had the big arm, big body, athleticism and makeup to potentially be a great qb for a long time.
Lamar exceeded my expectations early but a guy that relies so heavily on his legs will have a shorter peak window. And, he is still sort of the poster boy against this argument.
Hey- I am excited about watching Josh and Buffalo (I grew up 90 miles from Orchard Park, NY..in Erie,PA) Followed the team as much as I could, but many games weren't televised due to the 48 or 72 hr blackout rule, if game wasn't a sellout. Went to a game-Arizona's first year in league- where all of the scoring. both teams was "with the wind." First quarter (Some sun peaked through)second (rain), third (sleet), 4th (snow). AZ punter had 12 or 13 yard punt (it blew back at his face).
Looks like they will host a playoff game this year. And maybe the spelling of the football team will revert back to its original. After January 30, 1994 the critics were calling them the Buffalo B-I-L-L-L-L-S.