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Tommy John Surgery

F FlaauballMember
My son just finished up his junior year this spring NOT PTICHING. He has been varsity since a freshman and had a good year as a soph even with a sore elbow. HE decided to have the surgery last summer instead of gambling on losing his senior year with a complete injury.

My question is this: With him sitting out a very important recruiting year, AND having surgery what are the odds that he will get a following in time for his senior year/offer? The travel team that he pitched for is not playing this year as most have already committed to a college. He is more than half way through rehab and is throwing bull pen at about 60% now. Expected to be 100% by the fall season. Most showcases, and a couple of tournament teams that invited him...perfect game, ect. are summer events and expect him to pitch which he can't do for another 4-5 months. We are in Florida.

I have been told by the one school (from someone else)that saw him as a soph that Tommy John will not hurt his chances if he heals well.

Any suggestions on how to get scouts to come and watch when he won't be able to throw again in a game until fall? All I have is his baseball bio and video of a couple of freshman games he pitched. We do know a couple of well connected people, but not enough.

He is 6'3"+, and 220 pounds mostly in his thighs. Great control, speed, and offspeed. Outstanding major tournament track record.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated as time is running short.
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rz1rz15,000+ posts
You will probably get all sorts of "Karnack" responses and mine would be to sit down say "dam it", then work on the rehab, and finally play it by ear. Let the schools that he had shown interest in know of the situation and the concerns. If the schools are not on a list, so be it. There's nothing written that says he cannot be signed by a quality school based on his senior performance. Joe Blow may say School X says this or "I think...." but that is all guess work by those who may not know. If you need "answers", go to the school source and ask. Bottom line is if he's not pitching he can't be seen, accept that. But that is not the end of the story and right now it's the recovery that should be tops on your list.
Last edited by rz1
06catcherdad06catcherdad1,000+ posts
I agree with RZ1, but would add that he should control everything he can control and influence. Right now, there is nothing he can influence and control more than his rehab, EXCEPT.........his academics. He needs to be busting his butt right now in the classroom, and doing exactly what his PT says to do, diligently.

He cannot play until he's ready to play, and that won't be until his PT and/or surgeon says he can go. If your son is articulate and comfortable communicating with coaches who have shown an interest in him previously, it might be a good idea to put together a letter to each coach telling them that his surgery went well and that his rehab is on track and that he's acheiving in the classroom. It never hurts to show that he's still interested and doing well to the extent he can do well. Besides that, it's just gonna take some time until he can get back on the field and start working back into form.

He should control what he can control and not worry about that which is beyond his ability to influence. One thing that anyone who has endured Tommy John surgery learns (both rz's and my son have had the procedure, by the way) is patience. Your son will be fine in the end.
kingjamkingjam100+ posts
My son is a left handed pitcher and he went through the same thing as yours. The winter before his Junior season he injured his throwing shoulder causing Multi Directional Instability and severe tendonitis on top of it. He lost his entire Junior season and all of the Summer travel program due to this. He was only able to show in one showcase and that was minimal at best. He worked hard during the winter and LISTENED TO HIS PT on what to strengthen, not rushing himself back. Conclusion is: He had the season of his life, was stronger than he ever was, made 1st team All State, was offered three rides to college, all at the end of senior season. He ended up going to a DIII school, but that was a choice he made for his studies. They, the colleges, offer and still scout through your son's senior season. I would suggest you tell your son to take advantage of this shut down time and go look at schools that offer strong backgrounds on what he wants to study, I gaurantee that the list of schools he comes up with have a baseball program. Above all, listen to your PT and Doctor, you too can come back even stronger!! Good Luck!! There was an earlier thread on this very topic:

Exposure if Injured

Good Luck in your son's recovery!!!!
Last edited by kingjam
F FlaauballMember
Thanks for the responses...really appreciated. Good advice especially the academics! We are on him all the time stressing the stronger value in grades over just his baseball skills.

He just accepted a great program this weekend (tournament team) where he will participate, and workout with the team until he is 100%. Then he will begin pitching again for them. Great coach with one of the best programs in Florida. Will get great exposure, but not until he is 100% as first impressions may be all he will get a shot at.

I did talk with a couple of others that have had the surgery the past few days and if, as you have stated, if he listens and follows the rehab process, he could have one of his best years ever, and be stonger in the future.

Thanks again!

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