I thought I’d get better response in this section rather than the general discussion section.
As we approach the coming 2006 spring high school season, I’ve been watching the kids preparing in the winter workouts. Since my son is a left-handed pitcher I tend to, of course, watch the pitchers.
My question is: how do recruiters, and the like, evaluate right-handed pitchers, if they do, differently than they do the left-handed pitchers. You always hear that a lefty that can throw strikes in the mid 80s can be a hot prospect, while a righty must be throwing in the 90s to get a solid look. Does it matter how many pitches you have or the control of the ones you have (Right Vs. Left – one of the kids on our high school team says he has 8 pitches).
I heard it discussed on a MLB game one night by the commentators. They had been talking to the head scout and he had told his field guys not to bother calling him if their right handed prospect wasn’t 6 foot plus and throwing mid to upper 90s. Of course the commentators were talking about the guy who was pitching that night wouldn’t even be considered in that environment under those rules.
I also know one right-hander who only pitches from the stretch, age 15, and some have said that that will negatively impact a scout’s impression of him. This kid throws hard with control and good movement for his age, mid 80s, has a good over hand fastball and a side arm pitch than runs in on right-handers, but a poor curve ball. What would you think of this kind of guy? Would you advise him to continue to follow a pitching career or work a little more on his fielding (he is fast, good arm strength and can hit, and he hasn’t hit his growth squirt yet – plays left). The reason I throw this in is that his step dad wants him to focus only on pitching and I think he has more chance as an outfielder (he wants to continue playing both).
I know I’m all over the place in this post, but I’ve coached several of these kids through the years and some still look to me for advice. What I want to be able to say to them is what the typical expectations of those who will be evaluating them. We know each situation is different but I’m sure there are some basics that scouts/recruiters are looking for in the different pitchers.
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