Originally Posted by FlyEmirates7:
Hi guys, thanks for the responses. I just wanted to add, and I think this particular opinion probably matters the most, is that a local junior college pitching coach whom I have done pitching lessons with in the past told me that I would be an average player in the ACCAC (Arizona juco league conference). But like I said, it was just a thought that I could take a year or two off of baseball to gain weight, physical strength, and velocity. Once again, it might sound selfish, but I really don't want to step on a college field unless I'm one of the best players talent wise. That includes a fastball of at least 90 mph, and all my offspeed that would be considered above average. I'm 6'1, and I want to be around the 190 lb area, while I'm now at 170. I started a strength/conditioning program at this very well known athletic facility here (Pro Advantage Training) and I feel that at least a year of just focusing on strength training and long toss/velo training only, would do wonders for me on the field. I really don't want to join a college team throwing only 85... cause EVERYBODY in college throws 85.
There's a time when you can jump on the ladder, and there's a time when you have to start at the bottom. If you aren't pretty close to the top now, it's a pretty big stretch to think one year will put you there. The big risk you take is if you don't improve much, now you're a year older with similar talent, which makes you that much less marketable.
Originally Posted by FlyEmirates7:
Also, what's wrong with entering the minor leagues at age 24? Aren't there a lot of 24 year olds in the minors? And even independent ball, aren't a lot of "rookies" just about that age too? My brother is 24 and he just now came back to juco ball this year after not playing at all since the fall of 2009. Like, if he chooses to transfer to a four year school (he can only do DII or DIII because his D1 clock ran out) he could be as old as 26 when he's done.... He pretty much had the same mentality as me, that he didn't want to come back to baseball unless he was one of the better pitchers out there, and he pretty much had to because of his age.
If I've got two players with similar skills, and they're four years apart, I can tell you which one I'm investing in, and it's not the one with the ticking clock. Let me ask you this-you just admitted your brother limited his options by taking a similar path. Why would you go that route?