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Hi folks,
I don't post much on the boards, but I just had to see what others felt.I was reading BA and saw that another high profile HS pitcher is going to have TJ surgery. As I was reading his scouting report and comparing his weight and height, fastball velocity etc. to my sons, I saw that he had an above avg slider. Did this pitch cause the need for TJ ? I don't know the player and I am not bashing this player, I am just against this pitch. The majority of people bash the curve, but isn't the slider an over zealous curve ? Ten years ago when my son was 8 yrs old and ask if I could teach him how to pitch, I started researching the major league pitchers that had the most durable careers.I didn't find any that threw the slider.So we just worked on FB location, changeup and when he was 12 we added a slow 12~6 curve. Well what do you think ? Looking for other opinions.
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My sons roomate had TJS. My understanding is that he was dominate in HS, with sliders and curves. Was TJS because of the slider and curve? Could be, could not be. He is used primarily in relief and as a closer only, one or two innings as he never learned to master some of the other pitches, yet.
My son is a sophmore, just learning to throw a true slider, which he will use as a show pitch only. Don't get me wrong, he did had a combo curve and slider he used as a senior, but rarely relied on it. If your son goes to college and has good mechanics, they most likely will teach the slider, but hopefully not to rely on. The curveball and slider is dangerous to young developing pitcher's arms, when used continually. If your son relies on his fastball and changeup and develops a decent breaking ball in HS, you have done the right thing. It's ok to teach the pitch later on, but not for a steady diet.
I may take some heat for this, but many overzealous parents and coaches want their players to dominate in HS, so they tend to turn their backs when sons use the slider and curve to get the job done.
Last edited by TPM
Thanks Tiger Paw
He does rely heavily on FB and location.Change is getting more reliable and he is trying to get a little more velocity on his curve( per scouts request). He throws his curve about 68 mph right now and the scout said he would like to see about 73. Any faster than that and I would be concerned because then I feel it would be more like a slider. On another note our HS team will be traveling to Gaffney, SC this year and on Sunday March 26th, we are scheduled to visit Clemson and watch the game vs NC State.I hope I get to see your son pitch. How is he doing? I read earlier that he was rehabbing. I hope he is ready to go. 2 years ago we watched Clemson play Wake Forest. Great ballpark and campus.

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