To Young Pitchers: Don’t Let Baseball Be Confusing

This article is dedicated to Young Pitchers. At the high school level and even younger…along with their awesome, supportive parents. Lately, I have noticed a lot of chatter online, how the velocity craze is starting to make many at the amateur level feel very uneasy about their future in the game. The vibe is going around that having extreme, peak velocity is the only way to make it as a pitcher nowadays.

Well, sure…However, hasn’t it always been in that general direction for scouting?

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Yes! We all dream and aspire to make it to the Major Leagues. We can very clearly see ourselves standing on a MLB mound, pitching in The Show. However, with 25 roster spots for the 30 teams, 7 levels of the minor leagues, 40 rounds in the draft, and a hard salary cap on international signing bonuses. Reality kicks in fast. It is no doubt a numbers game.

Yet, it’s nothing to get hung up on…

 

To Young Pitchers
Go For It!!!

If you believe that you have what it takes to make it to The Show, give it everything that you have. It’s the only way to truly know. Experience will only make you better. Believe me, I want you to go as far as you can in baseball. I want you to test your limits, live the dream and enjoy the perks.That’s why I do this. Wherever your skill set takes you, there will a great deal of enjoyment to be had and memories to be made…Memories which no one, NO ONE can ever take away from you!

This is why it is important to know your value as a pitcher. Because you will make it as far as you are supposed this in this great game. That is based off of your talent level, work ethic, durability and aptitude…among other variables. Whether it be enshrined in Cooperstown or a middle reliever at a D3 college, when you stay the course and put in the work, you get to the level where you are supposed to be.

To Young Pitchers
Velocity Question Marks

As for velocity, is it going up? YES! Can it be taught? YES! Is it sustainable? That is to be determined...

Who Knows? The bubble could explode in a few years….arms too. Surely, I don’t wish that upon anyone. Nonetheless, the body has limits. Breakdowns happen. That is no secret. We are all aware of how stress on joints can have adverse effects.Those not cut out to throw as hard as they desire, will be the first to suffer.

Sadly, much confusion comes from the anxiety related to throwing harder. Young pitchers tend together swept up with the trends and lose sight of what the individual is capable of achieving. As a result, the young pitcher forgets how to pitch effectively, overthrows for the sake of lighting up the radar gun, and puts himself at risk of injury. After the fact, he is confused why his results have suffered.

In making adjustments, pitching comes down to whether or not you can get hitters out! Velocity without sufficient command serves no purpose. It is nothing new that pitchers in the lower levels of the minor leagues have extremely high levels of velocity. Being able to consistently make pitches is their biggest roadblock. Thus, why they are not household names.

 

 

To Young Pitchers
Let the Process Flow

In order to grow as a pitcher, focus on commanding your pitches and allow time to grow into your body. With the work you put in, your velocity will come. Keep in mind, that you are on your own unique path as a pitcher. Don’t make comparisons to anyone else. That only makes the process harder.

Therefore, stay within yourself and don’t overthrow. Accept the challenge to Compete, and that is when out of body experiences happen on the mound. These are what elevate your game. When you find your niche as a competitor, the confusion vanishes into obscurity. Additionally, aligning with the baseball gods sure helps also. 

Remember, Baseball is an Extremely Rewarding Game to those Who FULLY Dedicate Themselves.

 

Keep Dominating!!!

 

 

 

To Young Pitchers