the slider as a freshman

Welcome to the "Don't mess up my son's arm" club.  

 

I don't understand why fastball placement and change-ups aren't the norm.  

Not so hot on repetitive sliders here.  Righthook was throwing very well his last couple of outings, mainly FB and C's.....he has a very good change-up, but the coaches won't call it and I can't figure out why?  That was part of my issue with his 8 inning outing...mostly fastballs.  I really like mixing in a good portion of CU's 

Just one dad's opinion but I get more concerned about his pitch count and adequate rest between outings than I do about how many sliders my son throws.  I think there is more data to support those two things have the biggest impact on arm injuries versus type of pitches thrown.

I'm more of this thinking.  Mechanics is more important than how many overall but I'm also a fan of not wanting to use breaking pitches that much.  I'm a big fan of developing fastball first, change up second, curve ball third by Junior year.  

Curves and sliders are good in moderation.  They can be used to help reduce your overall pitch count.

 

 

Tough call here.  A few points to consider:

 

• Not all sliders / curve balls are thrown with the same grip or release.  Some may be deemed to create more stress, while others may create less stress than a FB.
• There are studies that suggest that high velocity fastballs create more strain (risk of injury) than any of the off speed pitches.

 

I happen to agree with Sultan - moderation is key.

Well here we go again ...why would you ever allow such a thing, he doesn't NEED both a slider and a curve ball.

Whoever is calling his pitches needs a talking to.  And why is a freshman playing V anyway?  Does he need all that work right now? Does he need to throw all those pitches right now?  I thought you finally had this figured out?

 

FB, 2 seam and 4 seam as well as a change up.  Thats all he needs, and for goodness sakes, limit his work.  Isn't this the son who had issues when younger?

 

FWIW, I strongly believe that the slider caused injury to DK, and he was a professional at the time.

 

Remember, DS, 4 seasons of ball in HS, travel ball, tournaments, summer ball, fall ball. How much do you think a young developing arm can take during that time?

 

I agree that occasional use of a slider should not be a problem, the only issue is for young pitchers it is difficult to differentiate the two and a good slider combined with a good CB usually end up with something in between that is not as effective. At the HS level I prefer a CB as they are lower stress and frankly they work at the HS level just fine. Since your son is a LHP I would concentrate on the change to throw to RHH's and a curve coming in from the LH side is also effective to both LH and RH batters. For kicks I pulled up my son's splits as he throws an effective CU to LHH's and the results are pretty good. As a LHP and a +FB and CU mixed with a CB he won't need anything else until he gets to college.

 

Good Luck. 

 

                   LHH                 RHH

XXX XXX   1   11  .091   14   63  .222 

In the Padres organization in one of our first meetings after the draft they made all pitchers who had a curveball and a slider pick one and trash the other.  I only had a slider.  I felt like the fastball put more stress on my arm than the slider ever did IMO.

Sounds similar to my son's future collegiate pitching coach. He firmly believes that your natural arm slot dictates which breaking ball you throw and which will be effective.

Over the top guys throw CBs and 3/4 guys throw sliders.  In his opinion no reason for the same guy to throw both.

I have always said its either one or the other depending on the pitcher. Thats how the better college pitching coaches instuct and thats how it is in milb.  Eventually if you are around enough you might try a different lookm
I have to laugh when I hear about HS players throwing both. Develop your fastball and changeup.

He is more over the top in his style.  The varsity pitching coach has taught him the slider.   I don't know that I have much say in why he is pitching varsity.  I guess because he has fannded 33 out of 54 batters and has 4 saves in 18 innings.  I would not say they Are over pitching him  I just don't like the slider and I aske 2018 to discuss with the coach , but the next game more sliders .  He has never had arm trouble , my 2016 had a elbow issue in middle school due to growth plate

The varsity coach taught him the slider?  This is the guy who came back who was the better coach?  You are kidding me.  What smart HS coach teaches a freshman a slider to use at that age? 

He discussed it with the coach and more sliders?

I did get him mixed up with 2016.  

Read the advice given, then proceed with caution.

2018 had a talk with the HC today.  HC coach told him he will be the V closer for the remainder of the season. He does have a 0.00 ERA.... and this will keep his innings down , quality over quantity.

 

Agreed to no more sliders.... FB CU and CB.... 

 

PC taught the slider.......HC coach said no