Too much emphasis on velocity?

A pitcher with good movement, nails spots, and is a smart pitcher. Seems like all these are huge aspects to pitching but why is it that if that same pitcher doesnt throw 87 plus he want get to play at a large college or organization. Is this too much emphasis on velocity or is it just coaches being smart?

 

exactly!

My philosophy HAS ALWAYS BEEN give me a righty but moreso a lefty with impeccable control and a nice slooooooooooooow over the top breaker or a good straight change and I ll take him over a gasser with no control anytime!!!!!!!!! If he has all you said he may probabaly won t get to a big college yet he will be seen and might still get a chance of geting drafrer if the scout knows squat! Most of em don t in my opinion! Look at all the guys in the majors today who have been and are SMART1 They never top 85 with their FB and can compete and win Nuff said!

 

haha thats what i said but appearently sometimes just getting the job done just isnt enuff i guess.

 

I assume we are talking about HS players. There is always room at the college level for "pitchers". You don't have to throw 90+. BUT.....if you are talking about a prospect for a major D1 school or have thoughts about a pro experience then here is the ranking of importance:

- Velocity
- Velocity
- Velocity
- Control
- Poise

There is not a college or Pro guy that believes they can't help teach someone to pitch, but no matter how good a coach they are, they can not teach god given velocity.

I'm not saying that is correct, but that's the way it is. Chicks may dig the long ball, but scouts dig the speed.

and for those of you that keep bringing up Glavine and Maddux as examples, don't forget that these guys started their careers throwing consistent 90+

 

i would rate ball movement and location highly. as a former pro pitcher i can tell you for certain that ball movement and location are more important than velocity but you must have velocity to get signed and have a chance to develope. having said all that if my son didn't throw hard i'd try to make the argument that control was the most important too

 

As the parent of a college lefty that tops out at around 83 but has had success at that level, I am very in tune to this argument. And I am hearing more and more that the pro guys are beginning to look at the guys that just get outs. Maybe just wishful thinking but I have heard it lately. May have somthing to do with all the success the softer throwing guys are having this year.

 

Braves.....I agree with you (I know, there's a first time for everything).

It's funny how things change....when Ryan was being scouted his Senior year everyone was looking to see if he could hit 90 plus in the late inninngs....

Now when I am talking with Ryan I will ask him how his velocity was during the game (because I still love the heater) and his response is "Dad, I don't worry about that anymore. It doesn't matter if I am hitting 92 or 72 if I can't get outs".

The focus has changed from velocity at the pro level to command of the strike zone and movement on your pitches....although it is still a nice to be able to pump in that 90 plus mph fastball whn you need to.

 

Ryan

He's such a cool kid. You did a great job. I was glad to see him the other night in Kannapolis. He is always respectful and I know how dedicated he is. I keep using him as a role model for the one in my house.

 

that shows you the lack of pitching prospects out there. due to travel baseball imo

 

Velocity......

Sheer velocity will get alot of hitters out, until you get to the next level (college and majors) even still velocity will get some hitters out. However, in my opinion, as you move up in levels, secondary stuff becomes more important than pumping the fastball.

Pitching is a funny thing. Same team faced 2 different pitchers, first pitcher was 87-89 and got 10 run ruled. Next pitcher was 80-84, lefty and no hit them for 5 innings, left after 5 with 9-0 lead. Next time out it could've been flipped flopped. You never know......

One thing I will disagree with is you can teach velocity in some cases, might be a arm slot change or mechanics change, or might be thru weight training and long toss. Not always the case, but sometimes..........

Last thing D'backs son is topnotch as is dad. I had some questions about where my son would play summer/fall ball a couple of years ago and dad gave me great advice as well as his son's phone number so my son could talk to him about his experience. Worked out well for us and got great advice.