My son converted from RHP over-the-top to sidearm/sub late in fall 2014 in is SOPH yr of JUCO ball. He was a starting pitcher his JUCO freshman yr but felt that going sidearm would give him "something different". So, he went from being a 86-88mph (touched 90 last summer) overhand pitcher with only average movement to recently throwing sidearm 83-85mph fb, 72mph on change and 72-74 slider (in 50 degree temps) with pretty good command and movement which resulted in 4 k's and a soft lineout facing 5 batters.. Again, at 10 weeks into this new arm slot. I originally thought he was crazy to change at this stage but it's his dream, not mine.
He turned down a near full-ride at an NAIA as a starting pitcher and decided to commit to sidearm so that he could keep working on a D1 or D2 opportunity.
At 6'4 and a sidearmer, he has attracted some recent attention from a handful of D1's and a very serious level of interest from a top 20 D2. He's a good student and will have no problem with admissions to most D1/D2 colleges.
Knowing the level of knowledge on this site, I thought I would ask a few questions.
1. Do many D1's and D2's still have scholarship money available for 2015 JUCO pitchers? He has stated he is willing to take a recruited walk-on spot if $$ isn't available in the right program.
2. Do the velocities stated above translate into D1 velocities? D2? He had one D1 coach say that a 75mph slider was a minimum requirement and had no min for FB.
3. Do you know of any D1's or D2's that actively search for sidearm relievers? We know of several high D1's that recruit sidearm guys, but want to have plenty of irons in the fire.
4. What have you seen from recruited walk-on situations? Are the players treated much like scholarship players (ie. study halls, coaching, training, etc)?
Any input appreciated.
Thanks!
