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What would be an average catcher velocity for high school varsity catchers? More specifically in the class of 2017? What would be an ideal catching velocity? Attached is a video of me throwing, any advice?

Also, here is a link that I found that has workouts that will help pitchers throw harder: http://www.stack.com/a/how-to-throw-harder

Will those workouts in the link above work for position players?

 

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Velocity is part God-given, part trainable.

As for catching velocity, it generally doesn't matter directly. Pop times do. Actual, real pop times that are ELITE for advanced HS kids are in the 1.98 - 2.05 range with HIGH accuracy, not random throws 8 feet above the bag. An accurate 2.15 or better is very, very good for HS kids.

Velocity is part of pop time but it's far less important than mechanics, transfer, and catching ability. 

Kyle Boddy posted:

Velocity is part God-given, part trainable.

As for catching velocity, it generally doesn't matter directly. Pop times do. Actual, real pop times that are ELITE for advanced HS kids are in the 1.98 - 2.05 range with HIGH accuracy, not random throws 8 feet above the bag. An accurate 2.15 or better is very, very good for HS kids.

Velocity is part of pop time but it's far less important than mechanics, transfer, and catching ability. 

Thank you. I got my pop time down to a 1.8 personal best and consistently a 1.9 to 2.0 (2.0 from the knees).

I honestly doubt you threw a verified 1.8. The average pop time for elite MLB catchers is in the high 1.8X range. There's no one here to impress, most of us are ex-coaches and parents of once (and still) very good baseball players. 

The best thing you can do for your career is to be honest with yourself and your current abilities. 

Last edited by Kyle Boddy

Maybe he did hit a 1.8 one time. Nothing surprises me when something is hand timed. There are a ton of kids who have hand-timed 4.4 40's but run 4.6 or higher when electronic timed

There was a kid at our local high school who consistently put up excellent pop times and replicated it in games and threw everybody out. But, he was small, 5'8" 130lbs. O.K. HS hitter, looked to hit oppo base hits. 

As a defensive catcher, he had D1 skills, but did not project as far as size or as a hitter. Lots of D2/D3 interest, but he chose to go to a large state university and pursue the major he was interested in.

Kyle Boddy posted:

I honestly doubt you threw a verified 1.8. The average pop time for elite MLB catchers is in the high 1.8X range. There's no one here to impress, most of us are ex-coaches and parents of once (and still) very good baseball players. 

The best thing you can do for your career is to be honest with yourself and your current abilities. 

I'm not trying to impress any one. I was timed by the other teams coat and he told my coach, why would he lie? I haven't gotten it verified, but will be going to a camp sometime in the future to get my numbers verified. 

Stafford posted:

Maybe he did hit a 1.8 one time. Nothing surprises me when something is hand timed. There are a ton of kids who have hand-timed 4.4 40's but run 4.6 or higher when electronic timed

There was a kid at our local high school who consistently put up excellent pop times and replicated it in games and threw everybody out. But, he was small, 5'8" 130lbs. O.K. HS hitter, looked to hit oppo base hits. 

As a defensive catcher, he had D1 skills, but did not project as far as size or as a hitter. Lots of D2/D3 interest, but he chose to go to a large state university and pursue the major he was interested in.

I agree, I will be getting verified times when I go to a camp this October. Which gives me more time to lift and get stronger and better. 

Kyle Boddy posted:

I honestly doubt you threw a verified 1.8. The average pop time for elite MLB catchers is in the high 1.8X range. There's no one here to impress, most of us are ex-coaches and parents of once (and still) very good baseball players. 

The best thing you can do for your career is to be honest with yourself and your current abilities. 

It might be rare but I have seen HS kids POP 1.8's at showcases. I do not know the OP but I would not be quick dismiss what he says. My guess is that he is pretty quick based on the video, but needs to have it verified at showcase type event.

standballdad posted:
Kyle Boddy posted:

I honestly doubt you threw a verified 1.8. The average pop time for elite MLB catchers is in the high 1.8X range. There's no one here to impress, most of us are ex-coaches and parents of once (and still) very good baseball players. 

The best thing you can do for your career is to be honest with yourself and your current abilities. 

It might be rare but I have seen HS kids POP 1.8's at showcases. I do not know the OP but I would not be quick dismiss what he says. My guess is that he is pretty quick based on the video, but needs to have it verified at showcase type event.

Thank you for the support, I do need it verified and I will when I go to a showcase in October.

 

Ripken Fan posted:

With all the metrics available today, I think a catcher's throw should be evaluated based on velocity and accuracy. Maybe "pop" with an adjustment based on the throw. Was at a showcase one time where the 3 best POPs would probably throw out 25% of would be runners.

The accuracy I agree with, but the velocity is not that important; it is a factor; which is why I am trying to get my velocity better. But POP is important.

Wesleythecacther posted:
Ripken Fan posted:

With all the metrics available today, I think a catcher's throw should be evaluated based on velocity and accuracy. Maybe "pop" with an adjustment based on the throw. Was at a showcase one time where the 3 best POPs would probably throw out 25% of would be runners.

The accuracy I agree with, but the velocity is not that important; it is a factor; which is why I am trying to get my velocity better. But POP is important.

Our travel coach told one of our catchers not to showcase yet because college scouts like to see 80+ velo from behind the plate. I am not sure if this is the "new" thing but this literally happened a week ago. He made it seem like a premium is put on velo.

hshuler posted:
Wesleythecacther posted:
Ripken Fan posted:

With all the metrics available today, I think a catcher's throw should be evaluated based on velocity and accuracy. Maybe "pop" with an adjustment based on the throw. Was at a showcase one time where the 3 best POPs would probably throw out 25% of would be runners.

The accuracy I agree with, but the velocity is not that important; it is a factor; which is why I am trying to get my velocity better. But POP is important.

Our travel coach told one of our catchers not to showcase yet because college scouts like to see 80+ velo from behind the plate. I am not sure if this is the "new" thing but this literally happened a week ago. He made it seem like a premium is put on velo.

I personally do not have an 80+ catching velocity, but have gone to college camps. I do understand why your coach would say that because it would put the catcher above the rest and make him stand out.

Wesleythecacther posted:
hshuler posted:
Wesleythecacther posted:
Ripken Fan posted:

With all the metrics available today, I think a catcher's throw should be evaluated based on velocity and accuracy. Maybe "pop" with an adjustment based on the throw. Was at a showcase one time where the 3 best POPs would probably throw out 25% of would be runners.

The accuracy I agree with, but the velocity is not that important; it is a factor; which is why I am trying to get my velocity better. But POP is important.

Our travel coach told one of our catchers not to showcase yet because college scouts like to see 80+ velo from behind the plate. I am not sure if this is the "new" thing but this literally happened a week ago. He made it seem like a premium is put on velo.

I personally do not have an 80+ catching velocity, but have gone to college camps. I do understand why your coach would say that because it would put the catcher above the rest and make him stand out.

Please don't think I said that in order to discourage you because that what not my intent. 

Continue working hard and controlling what you can and hopefully things will work out for you. 

I applaud you for reaching out for help and sincerely wish you the best! Please keep us posted on your progress. 

hshuler posted:
Wesleythecacther posted:
hshuler posted:
Wesleythecacther posted:
Ripken Fan posted:

With all the metrics available today, I think a catcher's throw should be evaluated based on velocity and accuracy. Maybe "pop" with an adjustment based on the throw. Was at a showcase one time where the 3 best POPs would probably throw out 25% of would be runners.

The accuracy I agree with, but the velocity is not that important; it is a factor; which is why I am trying to get my velocity better. But POP is important.

Our travel coach told one of our catchers not to showcase yet because college scouts like to see 80+ velo from behind the plate. I am not sure if this is the "new" thing but this literally happened a week ago. He made it seem like a premium is put on velo.

I personally do not have an 80+ catching velocity, but have gone to college camps. I do understand why your coach would say that because it would put the catcher above the rest and make him stand out.

Please don't think I said that in order to discourage you because that what not my intent. 

Continue working hard and controlling what you can and hopefully things will work out for you. 

I applaud you for reaching out for help and sincerely wish you the best! Please keep us posted on your progress. 

Thank you! I will keep working and keep you guys up to date. I am going to maybe start working with a personal trainer at a gym near my house.

Do not be concern about "pop" time, it creates one handed "lazy" catchers who cannot block the pitchers curve ball. When you "warm" up - practice catching the thrown ball on the heal of your mitt. This allows a quick transfer into the throwing hand. Infielders also should practice.

Question: do you use a Easton catchers mitt?

Bob

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