Metrics for 14 year olds?

If by "shine" you mean, make the top showcase list, or garner attention, you likely need to wait.  The very elite 14 year olds are low-mid 80s fb.    You can go to PG and look up some of the 14U invitationals and see where those boys are.  Granted, they are probably top 100, but to stand out from the crowd, outside of height and build, his metrics will need to be better.  And you are in Texas...they make a lot of crazy arms here....

Ok, thx ! That's kind of what i was thinking. He's making great progress on all metrics, but still is playing "catch up".

No need to waste money, until the time is right. 

@baseballhs posted:

If by "shine" you mean, make the top showcase list, or garner attention, you likely need to wait.  The very elite 14 year olds are low-mid 80s fb.  The very top guys are upper 80s.  You can go to PG and look up some of the 14U invitationals and see where those boys are.  Granted, they are probably top 100, but to stand out from the crowd, outside of height and build, his metrics will need to be better.

Definitely take a look at the 14u National Showcase on PG. That will show you what numbers the top 14 year olds are putting up.

For 2019, the 14 year old class averages (for all those attending PG showcases) were:

FB: 74mph
60: 7.73s
10 SPL: 1.79
OF Velo: 75mph
1B Velo: 71mph
Exit Velo: 75mph

So, my son is affiliated with Baseball Factory and we have access to this College Match metrics engine that they publish.  Essentially, it shows a kid how his or her measurables compare to all of the former BF clients who have matriculated to different college programs over the years (which is by no means all players on a given school's roster, but certainly at least a handful of them); it is based on who knows how many years' worth of data... perhaps decades in some cases.

I pulled the following for you:

- For D1... the average throwing and exit velocities of 14-year-olds over the years who eventually signed NLIs to D1 schools appears to be around 77 mph.  The best-ever recorded velo (which would definitely qualify as "shining") for any of those kids is low-to-mid 90s.  Average 60-yd time was about 7.7, and the best was 6.6.  For legs, the average broad jump was about 7'4", while the best looks to be about 9 and 1/2 feet.

- For D3... for 14-year-olds tested by BF who someday moved on to play for D3 programs, the average fastball and raw throwing velocity both appear to be 72/73 mph, while the best scores are both 88.  The average and best-ever exit velos are both a tick lower, at 70 and 87, respectively.  Average 60-yard time is 7.9, while the best ever was 6.6.  The broad jump scores are about 7.1 average and 8.5 best-ever.

I can do this for entire conferences and even individual schools too... neat toy.  I hope that these numbers help you.

At this age metrics will be all over the map as some have hit puberty  and others have not.  Read the timeline below.

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruit_timeline.htm

My advice is to focus getting bigger, stronger, faster  and baseball skills. Once he makes the Varsity team then consider a showcase. Until then save your money and limited time.

This is all just my opinion.

My youngest is a 2025 (we are also in south Texas). The only 2025s that I am aware of that are getting any looks are getting them through the travel teams. These are high level National level teams (Some also play for Team USA). Not much will happen via showcases until summer after Fr year from what I am seeing. Looking at your son's Metrics would put him in the average range for what we see at the local/state USSSA Major and some AAA travel team level.

My suggestion would be to spend the time working on getting bigger, stronger, faster (I know this is said all the time, but it is true). Get on a good travel team that sees equal or better computation (Not sure what level team he is on now). And hit a showcase next summer.

Edit: Sorry, BOF, didn't see you posted the Bigger, stronger, faster before I posted.

Wow, great info from all the respondents !!!!! We will  keep working on getting Bigger, Stronger, Faster, as well as getting more playing experience. He joined local team(P2P, located in Corpus Christi)  that does travel some in Texas, and has been playing alot of local tournaments. Knowing those metrics helps us plan for the future. He is still in 8th grade so we have some time before the "Summer after Freshman Year". Thx folks!

P.S.: ARCEKU21 post a metric called 10SPL. I am not familiar with that. can you please explain it for me?

Can you teach your son the 6th Tool?

Bob

This was from the horses mouth awhile back.  He hasn't posted here in awhile, but here was his response on the 10SPL.

PGStaff posted:
We feel it is a very important measurement.

If 2 tenths equals a full stride and you had one shortstop run a 1.5 ten yards and another run a 1.7, which one would have more range? Actually to some degree that would hold true for every position. It would also tell you who the legitimate base stealers are.

There might be a hundred or more sprinters that can beat Usain Bolt in the first 10 yards, but no one can beat him in 100 meters. Baseball players can be the same way. We have seen splits that are very revealing, such as 1.75/6.6 and 1.5/7.1. It could be argued that, in many ways, the latter has more of an advantage in baseball, despite being a half second slower in 60 yards. It is the reason the best base stealers aren't always the guys with the best 60 yd times.

However, there are times when late speed is actually more important. When scoring from 1B on a double. Ideally you want the distance from 3B to HP to be the fastest distance covered. It allows the 3B coach to make better decisions and it is where you either make it or you don't. So in cases like that you could argue that later speed, or maintaining speed is more important.

Humans are like race horses or Greyhounds. Some are faster at the beginning, some are faster at the end. It is our belief that being faster at the beginning is more important in baseball. And for the few that are fastest at both the beginning and at the end, they are extra special!

@Adams Baseball posted:

P.S.: ARCEKU21 post a metric called 10SPL. I am not familiar with that. can you please explain it for me?

It's the 1st ten yard split of the 60.  Measures quickness and explosiveness.

@baseballhs posted:

This was from the horses mouth awhile back.  He hasn't posted here in awhile, but here was his response on the 10SPL.

PGStaff posted:
We feel it is a very important measurement.

If 2 tenths equals a full stride and you had one shortstop run a 1.5 ten yards and another run a 1.7, which one would have more range? Actually to some degree that would hold true for every position. It would also tell you who the legitimate base stealers are.

There might be a hundred or more sprinters that can beat Usain Bolt in the first 10 yards, but no one can beat him in 100 meters. Baseball players can be the same way. We have seen splits that are very revealing, such as 1.75/6.6 and 1.5/7.1. It could be argued that, in many ways, the latter has more of an advantage in baseball, despite being a half second slower in 60 yards. It is the reason the best base stealers aren't always the guys with the best 60 yd times.

However, there are times when late speed is actually more important. When scoring from 1B on a double. Ideally you want the distance from 3B to HP to be the fastest distance covered. It allows the 3B coach to make better decisions and it is where you either make it or you don't. So in cases like that you could argue that later speed, or maintaining speed is more important.

Humans are like race horses or Greyhounds. Some are faster at the beginning, some are faster at the end. It is our belief that being faster at the beginning is more important in baseball. And for the few that are fastest at both the beginning and at the end, they are extra special!

@baseballhs posted:

This was from the horses mouth awhile back.  He hasn't posted here in awhile, but here was his response on the 10SPL.

PGStaff posted:
We feel it is a very important measurement.

If 2 tenths equals a full stride and you had one shortstop run a 1.5 ten yards and another run a 1.7, which one would have more range? Actually to some degree that would hold true for every position. It would also tell you who the legitimate base stealers are.

There might be a hundred or more sprinters that can beat Usain Bolt in the first 10 yards, but no one can beat him in 100 meters. Baseball players can be the same way. We have seen splits that are very revealing, such as 1.75/6.6 and 1.5/7.1. It could be argued that, in many ways, the latter has more of an advantage in baseball, despite being a half second slower in 60 yards. It is the reason the best base stealers aren't always the guys with the best 60 yd times.

However, there are times when late speed is actually more important. When scoring from 1B on a double. Ideally you want the distance from 3B to HP to be the fastest distance covered. It allows the 3B coach to make better decisions and it is where you either make it or you don't. So in cases like that you could argue that later speed, or maintaining speed is more important.

Humans are like race horses or Greyhounds. Some are faster at the beginning, some are faster at the end. It is our belief that being faster at the beginning is more important in baseball. And for the few that are fastest at both the beginning and at the end, they are extra special!

Not much of that means a tinkers damn at 14 years of age.

Bottom line, as my insightful 16-year-old asks commonly, "when on a baseball field is anyone actually going to run 60 yards in a straight line?"  The 10-yd. and 30-yd. are actually much more useful measurements, IMHO.

In all honesty, sometimes none of it means anything at that age...sometimes it does. 13U we played against twins that were 6 ft tall and had 78-80 mph fb.  At 17, they were still 6 ft tall and still about 79-80 mph.  

Adams, i think you have the right thought process... not quite ready to "showcase" with those numbers (although encouraging for future potential).  I agree with others about continuing development and would add the importance of keeping the game fun, having balance with other interests and paying proper attention to academics.  Lastly -  it's great to look to the future but make sure you are enjoying everything about your son in the present and that he is allowed to enjoy everything about being an 8th grader.

Well said, Cabbagedad! thanks to baseballhs,adbono, Notmadeof$$, and T_Thomas.

Ok, i'm showing my lack of knowledge-Consultant, could you please clarify on teaching the 6th tool?

Metrics for fourteen year olds will be all over the place. A fourteen year old might be 5’2 or 6’2”. I wasn’t worried when my son was 5’4” 120 in 14u when he was 13u eligible (playing grade appropriate). I figured if he was an above average player at 5’4” his talent was about to explode.

Three words at age 14.  Bigger, Stronger, Faster!    At age 14 there is so much more room for development.  Showcasing too early is not a good idea in my opinion unless you have exceptional metrics.

The 6th Tool are the "little" things that "WIN" baseball games.

1. Observation of the location of the outfielders, infielders. Is the catcher a "one handed" receiver. Expect pass balls.

2. Knowledge of the opposing pitcher. Watch his warm ups, release points. Study!!!

3. Study the field which way is the wind blowing, the distance of the fence, any holes in the fence. Do not expect the coach to tell you. He is busy with preparation of his team.

4. Remind your teammates to "turn off' the cell and focus on the preparation. Wear your uniform property. Keep shirt "tucked in".

5. When you are "on deck" hitter and a teammate is "rounding" 3b, be ready to signal "slide or stand up" at home plate. Always remove the hitter's bat to protect the safety of runner's route to home plate.

These are a few.

Bob

thx for all the info , folks! great stuff! We are off to batting practice. Lots of kids and lots of fun!

Fourth word for age 14:  fun.  If it's not fun, none of the rest will happen.

Who are you showcasing for?  "Competing" for what?  To get attention from high-level travel teams? (why not just go to their tryouts?)

Most colleges/universities recruit baseball players in the summer after junior year of high school.  Schools in high-level D1 conferences recruit earlier.  All schools recruit players who meet the size and metrics they are looking for, at the time they are looking.  If you don't meet their criteria (and based on what you posted, he doesn't), then "shining" or "being seen" at showcases is not going to do much for you, all it will do is publicize numbers that you will have to pay to update later. 

@RJM posted:

Metrics for fourteen year olds will be al over the place. A fourteen year old might be 5’2 or 6’2”. I wasn’t worried when my son was 5’4” 120 in 14u when he was 13u eligible (playing grade appropriate). I figured if he was an above average player at 5’4” his talent was about to explode.

Exactly!  My son was about this size at 14 and had nothing to showcase, his teammate was a LHP who stood 5'-10", threw 85 and committed to the #1 team in the country.  Three years later the LHP was 5'-10", threw 85 and was told to find a new home.  My son was 6'-2" and on his way to play D1 baseball.

George Springer:
“I didn’t start growing until my junior year of high school. Freshman year I was 4-10, 87 pounds. But I always had the same makeup. I thought I was 6-5, 250."

Brian Roberts (according to his dad, Mike):
"He wasn't very strong, he was little and he had trouble getting the ball out of the infield, even in high school."

Tim Linsecum:

At Liberty High, Tim pitched as a freshman at 4'11" and 85 pounds. As a sophomore he was 5'2", 100 pounds. ....By the time he entered college...Lincecum stood all of 5'9", 135 pounds.--Sports Illustrated

@Consultant posted:

The 6th Tool are the "little" things that "WIN" baseball games.

1. Observation of the location of the outfielders, infielders. Is the catcher a "one handed" receiver. Expect pass balls.

2. Knowledge of the opposing pitcher. Watch his warm ups, release points. Study!!!

3. Study the field which way is the wind blowing, the distance of the fence, any holes in the fence. Do not expect the coach to tell you. He is busy with preparation of his team.

4. Remind your teammates to "turn off' the cell and focus on the preparation. Wear your uniform property. Keep shirt "tucked in".

5. When you are "on deck" hitter and a teammate is "rounding" 3b, be ready to signal "slide or stand up" at home plate. Always remove the hitter's bat to protect the safety of runner's route to home plate.

These are a few.

Bob

This is a great post. Learn how to play the game !  Quit chasing numbers that aren’t indicative of good of a player you are.

Thx to all-great advice.  My son is so competitive, that i get caught up in the desire to "be the best" . Both of us have got to remember that Baseball is supposed to be fun -First. Showcases can wait.

I loved the post about the "other" things that win games. Learning the game so important to maximizing talent and helping out your team. Example: The biggest guy on our team, is no where near the fastest, yet he has stolen more bases than any other player. He just seems to know when to "get the jump" on the pitcher and catcher. 

Before he hits 80+ EV or mound velo you don't even think about showcasing. Mid 70s for 14 is not bad but for college recruiters that is not interesting so if he isn't an early bloomer then keep getting stronger and better.

thx! Good Info. That does seem like the consensus. It'll save me money too!