mid and low level D1 velocity

Hitting 85 or cruising at 85?

IMO, to be meet the criteria of what higher level D1 programs are looking for in RHP, cruising 85-86 with at least three good solid pitches thrown for strikes and good solid grades can draw attention. As far as height, for some it matters for others it doesn't.

Top 25-50 D1 programs may have different criteria.

Your son should look for a program that will provide a good fit for him, regardless of division.

My son had 2 D-1's chasing him at 86-88, 1 of them Ga. Southern said as he stood he was better than at least 3 guys on his squad. Grades have caused us to look to the JUCO ranks, we aren't sorry for that either...both of the interested D-1's have commited to watching him through his AA degree and the truth is he will have more opportunities to pitch, his head coach is a fantastic pitching coach and is running the staff personally. His philosophy is that he wants the pitcher and catcher running the game, with his assistance so he will have a protected 2 years to develop while D-1's wait in the wings for his last 2 years (If he doesn't get drafted).
The worry I would have for him would have been the danger of redshirting and having to sit around and self-motivate for the first year without serious competition..then have to fight his way onto a staff with Jr. and Sr. pitchers who have experience and likely conditioning on their side...that sort of crucible can prove daunting.

With a max roster, you won't find many D1 programs redshirting players anymore. Instead you might find yourself sitting more than you might like your freshman or sophmore year so I suggest always consider going where you think you will get in most of your playing time.

Another point is how good is the scholarship, my son just got everything but $180 per month co-pay on housing..books, tuition, labs. I understand that with D-1 it is not as substantial. More like 30-33% and they attempt to find additional financing through scholastic monies...lots-o-cash if you ain't getting plenty of game time.

I guess I look at that a bit differently. My son will be going to a Pac-10 school beginning this Fall, and I know he would rather be fighting his way up the food chain on a big stage than being a star for a smaller school. I know others look at this differently.

As for velocity, figure

Large D1-- RHP Cruise 86-88 Top 89-90
LHP Cruise 84-86 Top 87-88
Mid-Size-- 1-2 MPH less

Bum is on target with mph, but he leaves to assumption pitches. I'm sure that a top level "large" D1 that you have to have at least 2 quality pitches (one being a breaking ball) and nearly there with a third pitch. Other tiers and levels will get some guys throwing 86-88 (sitting), but these guys will have some issues (mechanics, one pitch, etc.). Son is in the second group, throws great (touched 93 in 4th inning in spring game & sits 87-89) and has a decent change, but is in need of a consistent breaking pitch. He's D1, but not at one of the top 50 schools.

quote:

I guess I look at that a bit differently. My son will be going to a Pac-10 school beginning this Fall, and I know he would rather be fighting his way up the food chain on a big stage than being a star for a smaller school.

Thats an interesting statement...how do you see it differently? I am glad for your son and wish him well. You seem to be inferring something that isn't supported by the discussion, perhaps if you re-read it you'll see that given a set of facts, it isn't necessarily a bad thing to look below D-1 for a myriad of reasons...my sons grades dictated another course...why? well D-1 schools have a level of scholastic acheivement that they demand, they don't have the latitude to make a decision on a scholarship on something like...for just an example, a kids girlfriend getting killed in a car accident at a point where a honor roll GPA tanks to sub-3.0. Now I know TPM's son was a Clemson attendee and my son was pursued aggresively by D-1's until said GPA went down...but given a choice my boy would be playing D-1 baseball..life didn't offer that alternative, so the very best possible situation was pursued...kids who have it going on want to fight against the best. I mearly wished to point out that there are alternatives and they aren't necessarily bad. A kid throwing mid-80's at the D-1 level will have an exceedingly hard time to get mound appearances..from what I've read about your Jr. he's a bit above that...so it may be a little easier for him to go "up that food chain", the poster made no mention that his son was "Player of the Year" in a particular area.
Though Dr Buzzy was also right having a complete arsenal to go with that speed is essential if you want to play at the highest level.

I don't think that the statement meant anything other than Bum's son's preference.
Not everyone has opportunities immediately to play on a larger stage, and many that do often find themselves wondering if they should have gone somewhere else. This is very hard to understand, until your player goes off to play.
The original post was regarding velo needed for mid - low level D1 vs. possibility of attending D2. My response was that velo is not necessarily the only indicator, but you must also be able to have more than one pitch, as also indicated by doctorbuzzy.

I think you are right, sorry to sound petulant Bum and run off topic Cardsfan..I made nothing from something.

Here I go off-topic but Welcome to the 10,000 Club, TPM!