I am a LHP average height average arm velocity, but above average feel for secondary pitches. I have been told this by colelge coaches at camps and by former pro pitchers that I have worked with. To what extent does velo matter to pitch at the D1 level and what do you all think is the minimum velo?
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There are tons of threads on this, so a search - see why has been put out there already.
Velo is king. Sorry to tell you that but if your looking at D1 programs you are going to need some zip on the pitch. For most programs as a lefty you will need to be sitting mid 80s. For the top programs upper 80s.
You have said before that you want to make a career out of baseball. What many kids forget is that MLB drafts from HS, Juco, NAIA, D3, D2, AND D1...not just D1. If you need more time to develop you aren't going to get that sitting on the lowest rung of D1, if you even make it to D1. Look at other options.
What is average velo?
LHP Mid-Major....maybe can get by and be effective at 86-87 if you have great secondary stuff.....upper level D1's won't give you a look unless you're 90. 85-86 gets lit up even by teams that don't hit well.
We have a LHP on sons team who committed to a Mid-Major, he sat 83-84 last summer (he's a 2018), in a private bull pen session for the Mid-Major he hit 86, the HC and RC thought he was a guy they could develop further. Kid is 5'10 165lb with a nice motion.
Buckeye 2015 posted:LHP Mid-Major....maybe can get by and be effective at 86-87 if you have great secondary stuff.....upper level D1's won't give you a look unless you're 90. 85-86 gets lit up even by teams that don't hit well.
85-86 with movement does not get lit up. Soon we will see more emphasis on spin rate. Agree 85-86 with a very average spin rate would get lit up. But if you are 85-86 with an extremely high or low spin rate you will find success. Even at the college world series there are guys throwing in the 80's.
I’m a 2021 if that gives you all some help. I am 5’8 145, projected to grow a couple more inches. I now top in the mid 70s and can sit in the low 70s. I know my velo is not there yet but I am only a 2021.
BaseballComesThird,
Here is the bottom line.....without velocity it is going to be much harder for a Coach to take a chance on you. Everybody knows somebody who is an exception to the "rule", but the "rule" is there for a reason because coaches have seen it be successful. I coached a young LHP who was less than average height (and still is even in the minors) who had outstanding secondary pitches who somehow found his way to an ACC team and became a starter and held various pitching roles over 5 years. He was tenacious and never gave up. While this ended up being a great experience for him, there is no way I would have recommended this path for any of my kids because I know how much of a long shot this was. Recruiting is about risk management for both the HC and the recruit. If you can demonstrate you are not a risk through your pitching stuff (and possibly other tangibles....ie..grades, SATs, attitude, other) then may be you have a shot based on your measurables. Go into this with eyes wide open, and good luck!
As always, JMO or experiences.
The big issue is coaches can’t teach velocity. They can teach pitching. The higher the velocity the more room there is for pitching mistakes.
A 35 player roster will typically have 16-18 pitchers. Typically 10 contribute to the success of the season. The other6-8 are developing. It gives young pitchers with velocity time to learn to pitch. Each year a team recruits several pitchers only needing half to pan out.
It’s why coaches typically go with velocity. Half show up as pitchers with velocity who can pitch. The other half have velocity and time to learn to pitch.
Nothing has changed since the last time you asked. I understand your enthusiasm for the game. But your size and velocity are working against you. Be careful the baseball people telling you nice things aren’t selling something (lessons). Work hard physically and developmentally to become the best pitcher you can be. When the time is right, probably post junior year have a plan that results in you ultimately having a quality college baseball experience regardless of the level.
I'm going to be a little vague so I don’t ID the player. A friend’s son was a dominant high school pitcher in Massachusetts. He was 5’10 170. He cruised about 82. He maxed about 85. Not one D1 was interested despite his staggering stats, command and great stuff. He was a smart pitcher. He was a four year, middle innings contributor for a ranked D3 in college.
joes87 posted:Velo is king. Sorry to tell you that but if your looking at D1 programs you are going to need some zip on the pitch. For most programs as a lefty you will need to be sitting mid 80s. For the top programs upper 80s.
Agree about velo to get to the "next" level from HS. Movement, location,control and ability to get outs needed to succeed at the next level.
Baseballcomesthird posted:I’m a 2021 if that gives you all some help. I am 5’8 145, projected to grow a couple more inches. I now top in the mid 70s and can sit in the low 70s. I know my velo is not there yet but I am only a 2021.
BaseballComesThird -- my son (2019) was much larger than you as a freshman, but at the same velo you are. He's now in mid-80s as a junior and getting looked at by a couple of P5s, numerous high academic D1s and D3s (although he's a two-way player). Do you have a good pitching instructor? Do you have good strength training? My son has done Cressey evaluations and workouts and that has made a huge difference for his strength. Nutrition is also an important component.
Yes, I go to a good pitching instructor. I also have been to Cressey a lot as I live near by. I don’t go anymore but I went for about a year.
My 2020 RHP has gotten feedback that to be seriously recruited by D1 schools, he needs to regularly be in the upper 80s. His top FB is 87 but that was a "one-time event" so far. A curiosity question for BaseballComesThird: What comes first and second :-)?
God and Family. I tie baseball into school because it motivates me to do my homework.
Keep your priorities, you'll get there.
