Pitching: Opinions of College Development Conflicting with MLB Development

It's a complicated question, but yes. College coaches are primarily interested in winning now, not developing you for the next level. Some college pitching coaches are much worse about this and some are more lenient. It'll be up to the individual to do the research and look around on what the differences are.

Kyle - thanks for responding, but was hoping to get some long time poster who is several years removed that can share their opinions without reservation - and I assume some folks probably have some strong opinions.  

Not so sure I or my 2017 needs to concern ourselves too much with this question, but it does make me curios and seemed like a decent discussion topic.  I assume some programs are much more aligned with pro-type development (maybe the coach comes from that environment), but maybe folks could point out some bad practices that they have run across that are purely selfish on the part of the college program that could have a negative impact if applied over a 2-3 year period.  

Go to the Coaches Convention in January each year, attend the seminars, meet the coaches talk with the agents.

Bob

Consultant posted:

Go to the Coaches Convention in January each year, attend the seminars, meet the coaches talk with the agents.

Bob

+1

I found those conventions to be very informative and helpful.  And not just helpful to those at the higher levels, but those at the lower levels will certainly learn a great deal.

Truman;

Yes, the Coaches Convention will answer many questions. Many year ago, I conducted a seminar on International Baseball.  Listened to Nolan Ryan speak for one hour, then Tony Gwyn speaking on "how to predict the pitch". Then my visits with Tommy LaSorda and thousands of college coaches. OUTSTANDING!

Jan 5 in Anaheim http://www.abca.org/landing/index.

My son will have a booth for SSK. Hopefully, I will be in Perth Australia.

Bob

<www.goodwillseries.org>

Overuse is a huge issue. 

Lack of development of pitchers apart from the top six or seven is huge - see above for the top guys, while the rest of the guys don't develop at all.  

Lack of actually understanding the basic tenants of mechanics - simply copying cool exercises is useless unless a deep understanding of pitching is also present.  

Buying into the notion that metal bats should change the way a pitcher owns the whole zone.

note also, even if you find the perfect PC, chances are he is looking to move up the coaching chain and may very well not be there when the kid arrives.

I've seen first rounders out of HS regress and I've seen kids improve their draft status - under the same PC, so clearly it's not a one size fits all scientific approach. It's more of a calculated risk.

As Kyle says, its a complex question.  A couple of thoughts...

In college, you have to throw strikes to stay on the field.  This can inhibit a process of learning to throw a certain pitch that isn't working so well better or to work with a new pitch in game situations.  I also think in some cases it can(?) inhibit velocity as a pitcher finds a velocity at which he can throw strikes consistently...and stay on the field.  Both of our sons threw 2-4 mph harder within a year after college and both throw a wider repertoire of pitches.

Both have said their arms feel stronger in pro ball.  Could be several factors.  Could be a better annual regimen of training that doesn't include Fall ball (as in college)?  Could be a better routine in-season - more predictability about when they will pitch and better arm rest between outings?  Could be they have more mature bodies?

None of that is meant as a critique of anyone.  Just some differences.  They both love/loved their experiences at both.