Pitching mechanics breakdown

Not too bad. How hard is he throwing?

He needs to learn to length his stride and not "hunch" during his delivery. This hunching (where he drops his shoulders towards his plant foot knee) can result in a break in the kinetic chain (and loss of velocity).

The stride can be lengthened with leg exercises, lifting for the lower half, crotch exercises, etc.

But overall he's good. What pitches does he throw?

Bum
Thanks for the reply.
I'm not exactly sure of the latest velocity, he was in the 82-84 range.
He throws 2 seam , 4 seam, curve, circle change and a forkball.
His fastball needs to gain a few MPH but has good late movement.
The change and forkball are very tough to square up.
The curve is developing but has nice 2 plane movement.

Agree with BUM the whole shoulder shrug is not helping him and his head his bobbing around in his delivery. He shifts his post leg when he winds up, not a big deal but could create some balance issues. I liked the last pitch...dad.

Get the video camera at 90 degrees and also in front and from behind for closed open issues. Glove side looks good, but kind of hard to see. Slowing the video down helps break down mechanics.

Actually I went back and looked at his foot locations and he is at a different location on his FB vs his off speed pitches. Just watch him pitch and only look at his feet. No big deal at this age, but in college someone will pick up on this and he is tipping all of his pitches.

His arm action and stride length and strength will naturally improve with age.

BOF
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by shifting his post leg.
I have rewatched the video and it doesn't jump out at me.
Could you ellaborate?

quote:

Originally posted by WapakDad2013:

He throws 2 seam , 4 seam, curve, circle change and a forkball.

WapaDad,
Five pitches is a lot for a HS kid (or anyone, for that matter). I don't know if this applies to your son but, generally, a HS pitcher is well served to make sure he can reasonably master each of his pitches. This is usually two, three, four at the most. If he has great command of all five, then great, but he would certainly be an exception.
You are in great hands with mechanics advice. Good luck and enjoy your time with him.

I would agree with Cabbagedad. Focus on the fastball first, the curve second (I know, many will disagree and say change but a good curveball is not only that but a changeup as well) and then the change (hardest to master--your kid has time). Drop the forkball.

I went back and looked at it this morning...not sure what the heck I saw last night but on my computer here at work it looks fine. I thought I saw him up on the rubber with his FB and down in front when he threw his off speed pitches but it looks ok.

Must have been the shooters last night....Just kidding.

Good luck!

Thanks BOF
I was struggling to pick up on what you saw, now I know why....LOL

Anyway, I appreciate the time and the input....
How do college coaches project a player?
How do you think my son projects?

I don’t think college coaches project much frankly. I don't really have the time to at least in the recruiting process. They look for players that they think can impact their program.

For pitchers unfortunately it is all about velocity. Now they will look harder at a “crafty LHP” but you see very few “crafty” RHP’s. Like everyone they like tall pitchers. Your son is tall and a LHP so he has some good things going for him.

Get a gun on your son to see where he really is at and get him long tossing and working out hard in the gym. Flexibility is also huge so yoga and/or pilates is also great. These things will make a huge difference. Also get a good pitching instructor who you trust and can work with him. I would concentrate on the LT and workouts however. Don’t let a coach (HS or travel) over use him.

Like the other guys posted I would concentrate on FB, CB and CU. If he can’t throw it for a strike in any count it is not a pitch.

Good luck he looks just fine.

Here is another set of pitching vids.
Comments are appreciated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...oaMQ6c&feature=feedu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...A1FiXY&feature=feedu

Here's my two cents for what it's worth ...

Mechanics look pretty sound.
He repeats his delivery pretty well on each pitch. It may be just pitching for the video but he should slow down a bit between pitches. He wouldn't work that quickly in a game so he shouldn't in practice either.
Think fastball a little longer when he throws the curve. He seems to hook his arm a little too early which a batter will pick up.
He flat wrists it a bit on his change-up as well. A batter will notice too. The action/flexibility of the wrist on a change-up should match that on his fastball.
Was he throwing a split of some kind? That was the motion he gave with the glove to the catcher before throwing. If so, he slows his arm down a bunch on that pitch.
Overall, he looked fine to me with maybe just some fine tuning.
Keep throwing and good luck!

BaseballByTheYard

meachrm
Thanks for the response.
Johnny did work awful fast in the video and that is not the norm in a real game. I do understand the need to replicate the speed and tempo in practice to that of an actual game.
Could you explain the flat wrist comment on the change up? I'm not sure I understand that one completely.
Yes, he did throw a couple of split finger pitches in that video.
What fine tuning would you suggest?

Flat-wristing is when a pitcher locks his wrist and doesn't let his wrist "snap" forward on the release like he would on a fastball. Usually that's because the pitcher is thinking change-up instead of fastball. I tell pitchers to "think fastball but grip it like a change-up." That helps the player's change-up mirror his fastball more. Remember that it's not so much the speed of the pitch that fools the batter. It's the arm speed and overall mechanics that fool the batter into thinking a fastball is coming. The same applies to the split.
If you want more, feel free to email me at
BaseballByTheYard@gmail.com
Good luck!

We just received Johnny's pitching grades from UNOH a local NAIA showcase.
Coach Hartman wrote:
Johnny has great potential to play at a high collegiate level, considering the fact that he is only a junior. The biggest issue with Johnny during his performance was his control. This is the result of an inconsistent release point. Throwing more and more will help with his muscle memory and can further increase his chance of success at the next level. Both of his off-speed pitches have good action, but again lack consistency. As he grows and matures, while working on his release point Johnny has a chance to be a really special player"

What drills besides the throwing more and more that was mentioned can help with becoming consistent with your release point?

Any insight into practicing how to become consistent with the release point?
Any particular drills to help in this regard?

Throw, throw, and more throwing. Specifically flat ground.

Ok..
Some feedback from Prep Baseball Report Top Prospect Showcase. Rated as the #4 pitcher at the event and current #23 player overall for the 2013 class

http://www.prepbaseballreport....765249301-8675194320

On the mound, the lefty uses a high 3/4 arm slot and long, loose arm action. He possesses quick arm speed and a smooth rhythm throughout his delivery. His fastball sits 80-82 mph while showing late natural sinking action. He showed excellent command of a 69-70 mph sharp, sweeping curveball. His changeup, which sits at 72-73 mph, is thrown near fastball arm speed and shows sinking movement. In addition, he displayed a 70 mph split-finger fastball.

Attend a PG showcase for a national ranking and rating for the class of 2013. JMO.

TPM
Thanks for the reply.
Will be attending the WWBA 17U National in Marietta, Georgia this coming July to play the tourny and get a PG rating.
Should be an awesome experience for these young men. I know as a baseball fan I'm looking forward to seeing all that talent on display.

Wapak- The WWBA events are outstanding and are loaded with scouts and coaches. I participated in a WWBA event on four different occasions as a player. However, your son will not receive a PG rating unless he attends a showcase event.

J H
Thanks for the info, I didn't understand that.
I guess that just shows how much of a novice I am with this stuff.
So, just how important is it to get a PG rating?

quote:

So, just how important is it to get a PG rating?

It's the getting looked at, what is your or his goal currently? Is it pro, attend college on a scholarship? Well I don't guess the question would apply without one or the other factor.
Perfect Game puts on outstanding events with a very high caliber of competition, I'm speaking of their tourney's not their showcases (I have no experience personally with their showcases).
It is crucial to develop a plan as to how this is to be approached, grades, SAT scores and performance make up what it takes to play college ball. You can play the game at all levels but not at all levels can you get a complete scholarship. PG's showcases and tourney's can show a player where they are at in the talent pool, it can get them a look at by scouts who represent colleges (Lighting up a gun can get you attention..not lighting up a gun can get you ignored..so being ready is what it's all about).
Having a ranking can fill your mail box with info from many schools but I'd offer that it's best to look for fit, not a name when it comes to colleges....some stellar kids walk away after being numba 1 for their entire hs experience and then have to deal with being a redshirt to play for a Fla. or a Cal State, Texas...Trade off's abound.

Wapak, getting a rating is helpful, if its a good rating. Hoping your son does well that day is all you can hope for. Lexington Ky. is the nearest PG showcase location to Ohio, usually held in August. Who is he playing with in Ohio and what team is he going with to East Cobb? On a second note, getting a good rating albeit is good, if you only go to one showcase and then they have multiple events after your son goes to one, if he gets "ranked" fairly high, eventually due to not attending another event and the PG folks seeing more and more players your sons ranking, not rating, will go down. So, if you can afford to go to a few and you want him to be highly noticed/ranked then do so. Best of luck! Go Bucks!

quote:

Originally posted by WapakDad2013:
TPM
Thanks for the reply.
Will be attending the WWBA 17U National in Marietta, Georgia this coming July to play the tourny and get a PG rating.
Should be an awesome experience for these young men. I know as a baseball fan I'm looking forward to seeing all that talent on display.

I only mentioned PG because you seem to have put an emphasis on his rating, I am not sure where that came from.
One does not need a ranking or rating from PG to be recruited or offered a scholarship.
But if this is important to you in the process (rating and ranking) then you should seek out a PG showcase, as I think you will most likely get a better idea of where he may stand among his peers on a national level.

jdfromfla
Thanks for the response

His goal is to continue playing baseball beyond the high school level. Ultimate goal of playing pro ball would be his dream, like most good high school players. The radar gun and stopwatch numbers aren't there yet and may never be there, but I would never doubt his ability to get there. I have always approached his mind set as get prepared for college. Get good grades, continue to mature, play the best ball you can everyday and you will have options.

Eric G
Thanks for the response
He is playing summer ball with the Dayton Dodgers and will make the trip to East Cobb with them. Unfortunately money is an issue and factors into the whole decision process. We have to get the best bang for the buck. It is challenging.

p.s. Love the Meyer hire and what he has done with recruiting in a very short amount of time.
Go Bucks!

TPM
Thanks for the posts
LOL...My mention of the rating at PG was in response to your mention of it in the previous post.....

I had posted of his rating from the PBR showcase as an update from this previous thread. I apologize if it came off the wrong way. I am proud of his accomplishments, so far, and have the hope that it will help him get to where he wants to go.

Just tell your son to keep working hard, on the field, and in the classroom and all good things will happen.

Stay healthy, next summer is very important.

Just an update on this thread...
My son has been working very hard this winter along with a group of his high school teammates this off season.
They have been fortunate to have the instruction of a young pro pitcher from our hometown. He really is an outstanding teacher and motivator and the kids have really "bought in"
The mental aspects of the game as well as the physical conditioning and yoga have been the focus for their training. Outstanding high level training that hopefully continues to pay dividends.
We just received the comments from a recent showcase with PBR:
"Has physical projection in athletic body. Good delivery with extension. Arm works well with moderate arm speed through upper 3/4 slot. Aggressive with fastball (83-84 mph) that shows good late life with run. Good developing off-speed pitches. Shows spin on curve (68-71 mph) and has feel for change (73 mph). Around the plate with control. Good 2-way prospect for college. Solid Mid-major D-1 at this point with room to get better."
A little bit of an upgrade in velocity +2MPH in just over 2 months. It looks like the hard work has been helpful.