Interesting situation. I am a rising senior pitcher in high school and throw 86 mph from both sidearm release and over-the-top release(cloacked today at showcase). Assuming i throw with the same velocity from each release(which is true), which release would be more appealing to college coaches?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Clipper '17, I will give my two cents. The guys that I have seen go sidearm in college were just below the velocity needed to be effective going over-the-top. A couple that I have been closest to entered college throwing over the top and then converted once they arrived on campus at the guidance of their coach. One of the two became very effective once he dropped down, and I have seen other very effective sidearmers at all levels of college baseball.
As a rising HS senior, you are probably still developing physically. If you are currently throwing 86 MPH, I think I would focus on throwing over the top and trying to gain velocity at this point. I would view the sidearm approach as a fallback Plan B. Everyone is different, but a local kid was throwing mid-80s as a HS senior. His Freshman college year he was upper 80's. This past spring was his sophomore year and he is 90-92, and heading up to the Cape to play this summer.
I would look at it differently. From what angle is he most effective? Frankly it makes no difference how hard you throw in college. If it's 93-94 and straight without a plus change or curve they are going to hit it. If he throws 84-85 with movement from side and has a plus slider then that's the way I would go. Personally Velocity would not be the basis for my decision.
Yeah, lots of variable here... agree with 12PITCHES.. how good is stuff, movement and control from each? It is a bit unusual and advantageous that your sidearm velo is that high. But many sidearmers find that their breaking balls stay flat and "ball go far" after hitters adjust to deception of delivery. So, as a sidearmer, you are more likely to be relief guy where hitters only see you once or twice and are uncomfortable with the delivery.
As a rising senior, are you already talking to schools? If you have narrowed your search, their particular needs and/or preferences could factor in as well. Nice tool to have in your pocket if you go in as a traditional guy and find yourself down the depth chart.
Clipper, if you were throwing at Santa Clara yesterday, you looked REALLY good and I would not change a thing.
