What's a good velocity from shortstop?

MLB standards

Pitchers 89-90 mph
Outfield 89-90 mph
Infield 86-87 mph
Catchers 83-84 mph

I would say that 82 is in the neighborhood of average for a HS junior, for a HS team.

I agree with Texan---you are right where you should be---just keep working on improving your arm strength

I would say that 82 is better than average. Looking at shortstops evaluated at the 2007 PG Sunshine South Showcase, here are infield velocities for all those rated an "8" or above, which translates to "Definite D1 prospect":

Player 1: 9 rating, 81 mph
Player 2: 8.5 rating, 80 mph
Player 3: 8.5 rating, 79 mph
Player 4: 8.5 rating, 77 mph
Player 5: 8.5 rating, 79 mph
Player 6: 8 rating, 79 mph

Obviously, a lot more than infield velocity goes into the ratings, but not one of the shortstops evaluated hit 82 mph. And all of those shortstops are current seniors.

Agree, 82 is not average from shortstop. It is better than average. However, was there a crow-hop knowing it was gunned or a catch and release?

I don't think it would be either. I don't know of any shortstops that crowhop for a throw in the infield... my guess is it was shuffle-shuffle throw.

With a gun aimed at a player I have seen a crop-hop. My point was, is it a normal motion or an abnormal throwing motion that resulted in an 82 mph read? That is a really good read with a quick release, but if it is a long throwing motion, then not as good.

I definitely wouldn't say I took a crow hop, but I knew I was being clocked so I probably took an extra step and tried to put a little more oomph in it than usual. I bet on my normal quick release I'd probably be anywhere from 77-80 though.

oops I meant to say in my last post I still brought my arm back like usual, I didn't bring it all the way down, just right to my back ear. I just took an extra step or 2.

I agree with Infield08 - 82 is better than average and is close to the major league average. This young man has a strong arm. Please continue to work on all five tools. You arm strength will not hold you back from playing at the next level.

Wouldn't velocity have to do with the the ss footing? did he plant and throw? off balance throw, on the run.
Is a gun reading really important at short, seems to me you can see if a player has a gun or not.... Also a quick release makes up for a weaker arm.

82 is fantastic for a SS in high school. That is fantastic for a senior stand-out in high school. It's also great for the pros as well. Derek Jeter commonly throws 79-83. That should be a good gage for you. If he needs to, he can go just a tad higher.

We timed Derek Jeter in high school at 92 mph across the infield. The typical throw across the infield is in the low 80s, but there are plays that require much better than that. Ozzie Smith was an 80 mph or even less guy across the infield. Jeter has a hose!

82 is pretty good if it is in the flow. There are lots of high school kids who throw mid 80s or better in the flow. There are also some who throw 90 or better but some of them are just throwing for the gun and it shows.

You might want to check the velocity across the infield from this event. Obviously there's more than velocity that goes into grading an arm.

Here is a link from the National, it should give an idea of the arm strength of some of the top guys in high school baseball. All infielders field and throw from the shortstop position. You'll have to click on the players names.

PG National 2007 Cincinnati

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
We timed Derek Jeter in high school at 92 mph across the infield. The typical throw across the infield is in the low 80s, but there are plays that require much better than that. Ozzie Smith was an 80 mph or even less guy across the infield. Jeter has a hose!

82 is pretty good if it is in the flow. There are lots of high school kids who throw mid 80s or better in the flow. There are also some who throw 90 or better but some of them are just throwing for the gun and it shows.

You might want to check the velocity across the infield from this event. Obviously there's more than velocity that goes into grading an arm.

Here is a link from the National, it should give an idea of the arm strength of some of the top guys in high school baseball. All infielders field and throw from the shortstop position. You'll have to click on the players names.

PG National 2007 Cincinnati

thank you. the scout i talked to told me Jeter was in the low 80's at Kalamazoo Central--I stand corrected. What was his height as a sophomore in high school (spring)? Someone told me he was 5'10" as a spring sophomore and then he shot up to 6'2" by the time he graduated high school and entering Michigan was still 6'2" on the roster.
Also, rumor has it that someone who goes to school with the Dykstra kid (Cutter, I believe is his name) that he is really closer to 5'10", but his Dad (Lenny) told him to put down 6'0" on all the showcase applications and high school roster because "Everyone does it!"

In general when scouts rate arm strength, it is not position specific. An average arm is an average arm from SS, the mound or behind the plate. If you are just looking at raw arm strength, we are talking about 90mph. The issue becomes occluded because other than pitchers, who are always gunned, there is some subjectivity involved due to variables such as release & rotation.

A below average arm can play like an average to above average arm relative to it's release, rotation & accuracy characteristics.Ultimately it's how the arm plays.Does the ball consistently beat the runner? It's not about style points.However, the conventional wisdom is if you start with an average to above average arm & develop a good release with carry & accuracy you have more wiggle room & a higher upside than the guy who has below average arm strength.

IMO arm strength can & should be developed over time if you follow the right path.

JW

I posted a similar question on another thread. My guy was gunned at 82 across the infield at the recent World Showcase. He was charging, throwing off balance (accurately) and very quickly transfering and smoothly throwing, again with accuracy. But, he was not trying to show arm strength on this "drill". He was trying to show smooth quick movement and smooth quick transfer and an accurate arm. He could take a crow hop and probably hit 90 if he was just trying to light up the radar gun.

Wouldn't it be better to just have players line up at 3rd with the intention being to gun it to first and thereby just grade the arm alone?

Fan
Yes no doubt.IMO there should be 2 grades; one for raw arm strength & another for throwing ability. Just because you have a great arm does not mean that you can throw.

JW

They have drills as such

i know there was a shortstop around my area whose throws to first were 97 mph. I think that may be way above standards

quote:

Originally posted by berlincatcher:
i know there was a shortstop around my area whose throws to first were 97 mph. I think that may be way above standards

Yea, I think it may be too.