I took this video of my son this week. We timed him saw that based on the charts he is extraordinarily fast. Anyone else offer some insight? I mean we know his 60 time, but never really timed his home to 1st base before. We know speed is a huge tool that is either God given or isn't. Just wanting some educated eyes to give us insight.
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The only way to really tell is to put a stop watch on him. So, I did so several times for this video and I come up with about 3.8 sec +., which is indeed fast . . .particularly for a RHB. This would be well above average for a HS player or for any RHB at any level for that matter. Putting a stopwatch on him during a live game with be the best way to get the best measurement.
PS: If you don't have s top watch but do have a smart phone, you can download a stop watch app and take your own measurements. 
Yes, I'm getting something just a little faster in this video too. But I would still call it at or around 3.8. Speed is indeed an important tool as it helps a lot with production in that he will tend to get on base more often with those safe call. And guys that are fast can get more extra bases and steal bases to get into scoring position. It's a big plus if he can add this + tool to some other average or even below average tools. Someone with that kind of speed can be a + in the outfield if he learns how to play out there and track down fly balls properly. So, the coach moving in to the outfield sounds like it is a good decision.
Good luck to him. I hope that like my son's freshman year, he's bringing a big smile to the game and really enjoying himself.
Curious as to what his 60 time is . . . I mean, if he is truly 3.8 HTF . . . as a RHH that is literally off the chart:
Objective Tool Grades
| Tool Is Called | Fastball Velo | Batting Avg | Homers | RHH to 1B | LHH to 1B | 60 Yd Run | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 80 | 97 | .320 | 40+ | 4.00 | 3.90 | 6.3 |
| 75 | 96 | .310 | 35-40 | 4.05 | 3.95 | 6.4 | |
| 70 | Plus Plus | 95 | .300 | 30-35 | 4.10 | 4.00 | 6.5 |
| 65 | 94 | .290 | 27-30 | 4.15 | 4.05 | 6.6 | |
| 60 | Plus | 93 | .280 | 23-27 | 4.20 | 4.10 | 6.7 |
| 55 | Above Avg | 92 | .270 | 19-22 | 4.25 | 4.15 | 6.8 |
| 50 | Avg | 90-91 | .260 | 15-18 | 4.30 | 4.20 | 6.9-7.0 |
| 45 | Below Avg | 89 | .250 | 12-15 | 4.35 | 4.25 | 7.1 |
| 40 | 88 | .240 | 8-12 | 4.40 | 4.30 | 7.2 | |
| 35 | 87 | .230 | 5-8 | 4.45 | 4.35 | 7.3 | |
| 30 | 86 | .220 | 3-5 | 4.50 | 4.40 | 7.4 |
I believe Tanner English CF at South Carolina was a Right handed batter/speedster who was converted to a Switch hitter "officially" his freshman year at USC. For same reasons. With that speed FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOX as your leadoff? Not sure how the switch hitting experiment ended with English at USC? He used his speed in CF obviously but I seem to recall later in his career with Gamecocks he usually hit as a Righty, due to an "injury." Not sure what that was about? I took it that the "experiment" of getting him to switch hit was on the rocks and he just wasn't comfortable doing it? And with hid speed out of the right handed side of box he did just fine anyway.
HTF and 60 times dont always translate, but the 3.8 is more important. And what's nice is that it was recorded in a live at bat with a full swing, not a half swing trying to record a low time. I don't know if I have seen a 1.5 or lower in the 10 yard split, but this guy might be in that range.
#BBMOM-- Thanks for sharing. I always like to hear about speedsters. I could see that he ran track-- little wasted motion in run HTF.
Only because you asked, the ABs do look "best case" to me. He's obviously a speedster, but he is leaning toward 1B at contact in both videos. Do you have a clip from an AB where he's driving the ball up the middle? I wonder if it makes much difference. There's an article on mlb.com about Trout going 3.53 on a bunt toward 1B, while his time on a ground ball to the left side was 3.82. I use a sundial on my kid, so I'm not an expert.
MidAtlanticDad posted:Only because you asked, the ABs do look "best case" to me. He's obviously a speedster, but he is leaning toward 1B at contact in both videos. Do you have a clip from an AB where he's driving the ball up the middle? I wonder if it makes much difference. There's an article on mlb.com about Trout going 3.53 on a bunt toward 1B, while his time on a ground ball to the left side was 3.82. I use a sundial on my kid, so I'm not an expert.
I agree that those two particular AB's look very much as "best case" to me too and of course it does make a little difference.. But still . . . he's pretty darn fast.
#1bballmomfan posted:Ok because my lingo is limited "best case" would mean?
It's referring to the particular pitch he's hitting, he's already leaning well towards 1st base for a quick first step out of the box. Pitch location when he hits the ball will effect his body position leading to just how quick he can get out of the box.
Speed is important but I would not try to concentrate on it too much. Work on power and staying back, getting a good turn and drive the ball hard in the air.
Most hitters won't be able to do the ichiro running hit and by trying to cheat out of the box they will sacrifice contact quality.
Of course I don't know that particular batter, just wanting to warn against focusing on home to first too much.
Super fast, like how he starts out low and head down. How's he hitting this year? That speed will catch the eyes of the scouts and if he has a couple more tools to go with it he will get some serious looks from the scouts.
Some insight and things for you to look for.
Quality at bats: squared up hard hits or outs, 7 or more pitches in a at bat, a walk, sac bunt/fly.
What conference does he play in?
Are home to first times referenced in the table above typically only taken from live game scenarios, or is there a test where the player runs from the box?
K9 posted:Are home to first times referenced in the table above typically only taken from live game scenarios, or is there a test where the player runs from the box?
Live game scenarios.
When will he be 21 years old?
He turns 20 in December.
#1bballmomfan posted:He turns 20 in December.
Was thinking he might be draft eligible because of his age... but he's not.
Without knowing what the scouts notes said, I'm guessing he had some of the players on a follow list. The notes could be positive or negative in that case. If he didn't know about a player and was taking notes, they were most likely positive notes. Possibly would write a report on him.
His running ability, is obvious. He is an 8 runner! For reference, we used to get Byron Buxton in the 3.8s from the right side. He was one of the fastest we have seen. 2nd over all pick in the 1st round of the draft. So in this case everything will depend on the other skills, because your son will be one of the fastest runners in all of baseball.
Good luck and I would be interested in knowing more about him.
the first video i got him 3.88 twice, the second video i got him at 7.98 because of the buffering,, lol, but got him at 3.66/7. The difference is on the first video the first pitch high and inside 3rd, the pitch he hit was outside 3rd and wasn't ready. The second video he already saw that same exact pitch and was ready and pulled it, launching his body toward first, hence faster time. my opinion.
