Whats average speed for a 14-15yr old?

Your father has great respect and admiration from me for the sacrifices he made for this country.

Problem with my situation,my son is the one being trained in TKO and I weigh 140#'s and 5'9".

You always want to work on your velocity, but that shouldn't be your main concern at that age 14 and 15 because all grow into their bodies at different times. I was one of the fastest pitchers until that age and was probably the slowest then. About 16 on I was one of the fastest pitchers again. Work on lengthening your stride and gathering more momentum to home plate. You can Check out www.simplifiedpitching.com for more information.

My son just turned 15. He throws harder than most his age. I see most competitive 8th and 9th graders in the 70-78 range. My son is consistently 79-81 and has hit 83-84 a few times. It's a lot more important at these ages to throw to spots and change speeds.

Well these speeds make me feel better. You get used to playing a certain level of competition for so long that you expect that to be the norm.

At the 14U PG tournament last week PG's guns were reading 75-79 consistantly for 5 or 6 of our 13U pitchers (2 leftys). About half are rising 8th graders. Hopefully they can pick up a few MPH before their 9th grade year.

I agree with hitting your spots, though. You know what you call a 100 mph pitch thrown outside the strike zone? Ball 1.

Hey, just took the time to read the observations and comments gathered over the years. Hope I'm not repeating what has already been addressed, but trying to get a handle on where my son is at.
First off, he won't be 15 until December and just starting freshman year of HS. We're still waiting for a serious growth spurt - probably only 5-6 and 120 pounds.
He's never had a gun on him before, but last week he went to a travel ball tryout and maxed out at 72 mph. Probably cruises 6-7 mph less in games, though has excellent control, keeps the ball down and keeps hitters off balance - lot of pop ups and ground balls.
How does this 72 mph translate for his current physical size? And how does additional size project to future velocity?
Despite what folks are saying here, the physical late-bloomer who ends up being the ace down the road, my worry is the HS coach come this spring will look first to the 6-ft, 170 pounder freshmen.

Jayhook:

He is right in there for velocity for a HS Freshmen. When my son was a Fr the top velocity I saw was 78,(Stalker-toward the end of the season) and average around 70, some a little more some a little less. The top pitchers were working 72-75 typically. There will be large variations in the Fr and Soph years depending on when they hit their growth spurt.

Feel comfortable with where he is at. Just hope coach won't be turned off by lack of physical maturity this spring and be smart enough to recognize it's coming. In the meantime, praying for a nice growth spurt for Xmas.

I would suggest your guy works hard and learns to pitch as well as work on arm conditioning.
My son coaches a travel team in Charleston SC and had a 12yo stalking at 78mph. Who know what will happen with him.
Years ago I watched 2 15yos who were consistently in the 90s. One topped at 92. Their P coach was a 15year veteran Detroit Tiger pitcher. I am not sure if they survived to play college or pro.
Forget the size issue. As the old saying goes control what you can control. Other wise you will torture yourself for nothing.

quote:

Originally posted by jayhook:
Hey, just took the time to read the observations and comments gathered over the years. Hope I'm not repeating what has already been addressed, but trying to get a handle on where my son is at.
First off, he won't be 15 until December and just starting freshman year of HS. We're still waiting for a serious growth spurt - probably only 5-6 and 120 pounds.
He's never had a gun on him before, but last week he went to a travel ball tryout and maxed out at 72 mph. Probably cruises 6-7 mph less in games, though has excellent control, keeps the ball down and keeps hitters off balance - lot of pop ups and ground balls.
How does this 72 mph translate for his current physical size? And how does additional size project to future velocity?
Despite what folks are saying here, the physical late-bloomer who ends up being the ace down the road, my worry is the HS coach come this spring will look first to the 6-ft, 170 pounder freshmen.

jayhook, I'd say your son is pretty much on track. Different kids throw different for their body size. I have seen huge kids throw slow and little kids throw hard. But, for his size, I would say he throws pretty good. Should be fine for freshman team as long as he can hit his spots and change speed. Teams are always looking for pitching and as long as he is effective, he will have a spot.

We've been trying to get submissions to a self monitored survey on the subject of all kinds of measurements. Not sure what the HSWeb policy is on point to other sites/pages but I'll mention the submission form here in hopes we get some new numbers. Note - mostly it's reserved for team managers of the teams hosted on WebBall so I can't promise how long we'll allow this to show to everyone... thru October 09 for sure ...http://www.webball.com/cms/page2342.cfm

Richard, you should send MN-Mom (Julie) a PM and discuss with her your posting on the site and referencing yours when appropriate.

You have a wealth of information and can be a great asset to posters and readers here. I refer people to your site all of the time.

Work out the guidliness with Julie first so you start out on the right foot.

Welcome!

I am 13 yr old pitcher in missouri and i pitch 70 mph, that was clocked on a radar gun, another kid on my team can pitch up to 75 mph clocked by a radar gun.

Don't worry about velocity right now. Concentrate on proper mechanics and form. Get some good pitching instruction if you can. Develop your body. Do core,legs(where your power comes from) and arm-shoulder-rotator cuff exercises. Velocity will come.If you try to light up the radar gun now you are probably going to injure your arm. Also, NO CURVEBALLS.

I have never seen a pitcher come out of a game injured after a radar gun was used. Has anyone here?

Sure. Happens all the time in MLB. Must have been the radar illuminating the arms that caused the injury.

I really don't think that trying to throw for the gun causes injury. Overuse is far more often the culprit. This kind of goes back to the old thing about showcases causing injuries because the kids tend to throw for the gun at showcases. I just haven't seen that to be the case. Now if a kid showcases without adequate rest after pitching for his school team or pitches for his school team without adequate rest after showcasing then there's certainly increased risk of injury. That isn't because they showcased or tried to throw for the gun. That's because of overuse.

There's always a tiny bit more risk if you throw a bit harder but just hoping that growth and maturity will result in reaching one's fastball potential if a pitcher never pushes the envelope is pretty risky.

My max speed when I was a freshman was 81 and was accurate and my pitches moved. But I still got cut. Then again I am like one of the youngest in my grade. But that proves the 2nd post wrong

quote:

Originally posted by Billybobjoe3:
My max speed when I was a freshman was 81 and was accurate and my pitches moved. But I still got cut.

You can move to our school. Really. Like this weekend.

I've read most of the comments and they're ridiculous.

The average pitching speed for a grade 9 is between 66-72

The fastest I've seen so far for a grade 9 is 82, and he's a freak.

The good pitchers in my league are throwing 74-77, with none above that other than 2 guys.

 

A grade 8 thats 14, average speed is 60-66

So if you're throwing 70 you're well ahead of the game.

 

Then a grade 10 is anywhere from 75-81

With the fastest thrower in the league above me touching 86, and as before, he's a freak.

 

 

As a grade 9 right now I'm topping out at 77 and cruising at 75-76, and not being arrogant, but I'm one of the top pitchers in the league.

James ... Why don't you learn more about this board before you make rude comments about people you know nothing about. This is not your typical high school board. Many of the poster's kids on this board had exceptional high school pitching careers and went on to pitch in college and pro ball. Many of them were ahead of the curve by freshman year of high school. Many of them attended large high schools where the talent and competition was fierce. When my son was in high school if a freshman pitcher didn't throw at least 70 if he was lucky he might be asked to throw batting practice. Because that's what he would be if he pitched in a game. Any soph not throwing 80 would be close to the end of the line on JV unless he got over 80 by the next year. My son cruised 83 as a soph. He had the fourth highest velocity on varsity. In some schools in TX, FL and CA anyone throwing 83 wouldn't be considered a pitcher.

Cruising at 76 and topping out at 77? Cause that makes sense. 

James,

 

Not sure what exposure you have had to elite competition, however calling folks ridiculous may be a little much.  9th grade is year 2017, ....BFS Jr just returned from WWBA a few weeks ago for 2017's and upper 70's were a dime a dozen...a few sat upper 80's and we played against one team that had a kiddo hit 90.  Jr. Is one of 4 on his team that sits 80's....here is the funny thing....those who threw mid 80's straight but could not "pitch" on the black or spin it, got hammered.  

 

Just  got back this wknd from a showcase that was well attended by Big 12 schools...mainly 2015's....  Jr.'s team is 2017.... velo was important, but again if you can't "pitch" it gets you out of the game soon....My point....yes 80's as a 9th grader is becoming more common place, however if you can't locate and change speeds, it means little.....too many people want to match radar readings....only important if you have the rest of the package.....

My 2018 is cruising 85-87.... BB is 78-79..... he's the varsity closer this season.... has thrown 22 innings, striking out 49 and has yet to give up a run. Invited to Area Code the other day.....

 

 

 

An important aspect when asking about velocity at a certain age is considering physical maturity. My son was 5'11" 135 as a freshman. He was 6'1" 170 as a senior. His velocity was much greater after getting bigger and stronger.

If I remember correctly, bacdorslider's youngest is a pretty big kid, at least compared to my 5'11", 155lb 2018. I would say a Frosh velo at 85-87 is not among the average. I think 70-75 would be more average.

 

Bacdor, you have a great four years ahead of you with your 2018. Good luck!

My son's teammate throws hard.  

 

 

http://www.latimes.com/sports/...-20140801-story.html

This is exactly right. 2019Son's teammate who is touching 80 throws really, really hard for an 8th grader. OTOH, he doesn't throw exceptionally hard for a 6'1" 190 lb. kid . . .

       
       
Come on 2019 you know better than that.  My son is a 6'1" 7th grader 6'2" in shoes.  He doesn't throw 80.  80 is phenomenal for ANY 8th grader.  If anything the big kids are at a serious DISADVANTAGE.  Of course I would love my son to get to 6'5" or more.  But in a way i can't wait for him to stop growing, get his coordination and grow his adult muscle.  An 8th grader is a kid.  Regardless of size he just doesn't have that adult type muscle a 16 thru 18 may have.  And some get it even in college.  Throwing 80 in 8th grade is an outstanding accomplishment.  Kudos to that kid.

I take it james is long gone...  but for the record gunning pitchers is sort of my hobby at tournaments between my son's games.  I go around gunning all ages.  James was a little on the low side.  8th graders throwing 60-66 would get lit up like a christmas tree.  James obviously did not play the good travel circuit.  Of course what is average depends on what level.  If you are talking big time travel/showcase kind of stuff pushing 80 for an 8th grader probably is about average.  My experience is with the best of the regular travel teams.   Mostly USSSA.  average 8th grader right around upper 60's to low 70's.   However good 8th grade pitchers more toward mid to upper 70's.   Phenominal ones 80+

 2018 was 83 as 8th grader, 87 as freshman, he is 6'2 165   PG scout has him top 50 in nation.....who knows if he will continue to make velo jumps. his brothers are 6'4 and 6'5

 

But you have to have grades, attitude, coachable, location, control, repeatability....

       
       
Grades yes.  And I am sure your son has the rest but even if he didn't there would be a lot of takers at those numbers.  Truth is he may never make it to college.  It's stylish now a days to downgrade velocity.  But ask yourself how many kids throwing 90+ in high school (who have the grades) do not get picked up in the draft or by D1's?   I am guessing it would be a short list.

I would agree with this. And bacdoorslider's post makes the point more concretely -- 83 as an 8th grader is now the next year one of the top 50 freshmen in the country.

 

My point about physical maturity -- actually, it was RJM's point -- was more about weight than height. The 8th grader who is 5'10" 135 lbs. and throwing 75 may have more projection than the 8th grader who is 6'1" 190 lbs. and throwing 80 . . . Of course, individual situations will vary, but physical maturity is a big factor at this age, IMHO.

Part of physical maturity is coordination and muscle.  I know this is personal for me because it has always been hard on my son.  He has hit clean up (not every single game ever of course but most) for every team he has played on since he was 9.  No matter what he does it is never enough.  He should hit more homers than he does.  He should throw 80 not 70 etc.  HE IS A KID just like the other kids.  He is on track to be 80+ as a freshman.  That's fine with me.  He wants to play D1 someday.  I hope he does.  But I don't want him to think that just because.he is big he has to be a freak of nature and throw 80 in 7th grade.  I will take low 70's thank you very much!  Its not all a bowl of cherries for the big kids.  It comes with a lot of pressure.  He took his first 0 for last night and we won a squeker.  But you know there were at least a few thinking where was our cleanup hitter when we needed him?  Fortunately my son is a happy kid on a baseball field and handles it well.

Having unashamedly gunned almost every varsity pitcher I have seen (yeah, yeah...I'm "that" guy) I can chime in with the following. For freshmen (limited to freshmen pitching varsity) you're looking at a norm of 74-78 mph. I would imagine freshmen at sub-varsity to be a little lower. Now, you have your outliers like BDS's kid or, in fact a freshman here in Colorado, Tanner O'Tremba who bats cleanup as a freshman on the #1 team in the highest classification of the state. That kid has 4 home runs this season. He's not even really a pitcher, but took the mound a few times this season and PBR scouts gunned him at 87mph, cruising at 84-85.

Despite the idea you may get from boards like this, which are generally populated by parents of the top kids, 80's as a frosh is fairly rare.

This is the funny thing about recruiting/scouting. What you say makes perfect sense. Yet, the only time you see the phrase "projectable" in baseball recruiting is when it is attached to the analysis of very tall kids.

I would say from what I have seen through the years.... 14-15 yr old velo is not crazy important.  Honestly , 2018 is not the norm.... he has a gifted arm.  He should be mid 90's as a sr... I would say D1 , outside chance draft.... bu.t still too early to know anything

 

BUT

 

My 2013 was 77 as an 8th grader , 81 as a freshman,  83 as a soph , 84 as a sr.... 85 as a freshman (juco)  87-88 as a soph (juco)  has mad movement , location, and work ethic.... he's going to Tennessee Tech next season.....  years of hard work, and people telling him he was not good enough...

 

My point is you do not know yet.... too many factors.... BTW 2013 is 2018's pitching coach

 

Velo is important.... it gets the scouts to show up.... but 0's on the scoreboard keep you on the mound.

 

Heaving had 4 sons at this age, and they are all different... put your son in the best league you can where he can succeed... work on all aspects of pitching, play to your strengths... work on the weakness...

Excellent point...

       
       
Looks like the mph after freshman year were a grind.  Did he stop growing early?  Was he on a pitcher specific workout?  Really happy for him.  And you must be proud how hard he worked to grind out those needed mph.

80 in our area for any Varsity pitcher is pretty good. 

 

Location and movement wins games at the high school level in our area. 

Agreed Lion.  Our ace last year touched 84 once.  He cruised at 79-82.