Submarine Pitching

If you do a search here using "minimum velocity requirements", you will find lots of info including tables for D1, D2, etc.  There is a few MPH "allowance" for LHP's and you can probably assume a similar exception for submarine pitchers.  There are also tons of threads specific to sub pitchers.  Some college coaches love 'em.  Some don't know what to do with them. 

I think I recall your kid having good size.  As long as mechanics are fairly solid, coaches will be more likely to project velo increase.

Pitchers who throw 80 with excellent command can typically pitch D3 ball.

The thing with submarine pitching is that even without good velocity, you can be successful against most high school competition because the batters aren't disciplined or experienced enough to handle it.  College is a different story though.

I attend a lot of games played by a local college (ACC team).  Over the past few years there have been a few sidearm/submarine guys that come out of the pen.  Most of those guys sit in the low to mid 80's with fastballs and high 70's-low 80's with breaking stuff.  The biggest issue with these guys is that if they are having trouble locating their breaking stuff, they tend to get hit really hard on the fastball.

On the good side for your son, it seems that every college staff has a submariner or two.  On the bad side, it doesn't seem to be something colleges tend to go out and recruit for.  Usually they were over the top guys or position guys who were converted because they didn't have success.

I would look at it this way.  If your son's velocity improves a bit - which I would expect it to, then he would have a shot at making a college roster.  At the same time, I don't think colleges are willing to invest much money into a pitcher that in all likelihood will be a reliever - but you never know.

Some of this is addressed at http://community.hsbaseballweb...08#18751616450139408 which I assume you saw as its been kicking around last the few days.  There is some legit info in that thread.  I think the key for a submariner is to demonstrate they can get D1 hitters out and that can be done in summer/JC league.  I think going from HS to D1 as a submariner is a difficult task, from a JC to D1 is doable.  Throwing submarine in the low 80s works in the ACC.  Throwing sidearm in the low 80's doesn't work.  It needs to be a legit submarine motion.

I don't think colleges are willing to invest much money into a pitcher that in all likelihood will be a reliever 

When they do it's typically with pitchers who throw really hard.