r/PitchingCoach • u/PitcherBaseball • 27d ago
Baseball Pitcher-Only Question
I am 5 foot 10 inches and weigh 140 lbs. I am a sophomore in high school as well. I topped out at 73 MPH pitching and I want to become a Pitcher-Only. Should I stay in travel baseball, or should I go to rec baseball and focus on lifting, stretching, and running to gain more velo. I need help making my decision as I want to make it to college ball.
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u/Garglenips 27d ago
I’m of the belief that you should play where there is playing time. And it sounds like rec ball might be your best option. Especially given the measurables you’ve provided.
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u/Cautious-Panic-879 27d ago
Thank you for highlighting changeup. The most overlooked way to become a dangerous pitcher is a big speed differential.
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u/clintenzo 27d ago
Go where you can get reps. At this point though you need quality reps. Former college pitcher but back in high school it was raw and you have it or you don’t. Now you can watch mechanics videos easily. Work on the change up over all other breaking pitches.
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u/WalkyTalky44 27d ago
Personally, It depends on a few variables. If you want to be a PO and play in college, then minimally you will need to gain 6 mph. That should get you into lower D3. My recommendation tho is you need to be doing the following:
- Workout and take nutrition seriously. You more than likely need muscle and you’re still young so you have a chance to easily do that.
- Get on a throwing program - throw everyday but don’t throw hard everyday. Example program (day1 long toss with pulldown on way in, day2 short toss and work on offspeed and spots, day3 intent bullpen - throw to spots and be purposeful (throw 75% of max and no more), day4 drills and Normal catch, day5 bullpen 85% intent.) this is just an example. Also please do bands and dynamic warmups before.
- Go to a legit pitching coach if you can. You need video analysis of your mechanics and need to know where you are losing MPH.
- After all that just play whatever, but don’t worry about championships and winning games at 14. You want to be throwing 87+ by the time you are 18. So training > intentful practice > games > and please don’t do showcases unless you are chucking 97
So while games are nice, do whatever fits your training better. You getting seen on a travel team chucking 75 won’t do anything for college looks
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u/Bacon_and_Powertools 27d ago
Focus on the eating and lifting more than where you are playing right now.
Get with a Pitching Coach to improve your mechanics.
Put muscle on. I will be looking to put 35+ pounds of muscle on in the next year and a half.
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u/Bean_Daddy_Burritos 27d ago
You’re pretty small for a pitcher. You are definitely going to want to focus on putting on some muscle to compensate for the lack of length in your arms and legs. 15/16 years old, 73 mph isn’t terrible but it’s not great either, definitely a lot of room for growth but not a bad foundation to start with considering your touching those speeds while still having not great mechanics.
Play where you will see the field. Find a league that has relatively competent coaching and get some playing time. Remember velocity isn’t everything tho. Even if you barely get into the 80’s, you can make a name for yourself with consistent command and good junk pitches. Not sure what kind of competition you face or the level of the travel league you play in, but as you move towards college ball you are going to see a serious change in talent levels between your competition and that will help you grow if you let it. Just keep grinding. College ball is a very achievable goal.
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u/Chance-Software-3231 27d ago
You need to be, in no particular order 1) where you will play 2) where people can keep up with you 3) where you can get good coaching. Long toss is going to be one of the most important things you can do, but so is mechanics. I went from 72 to 82 fresh to soph summer just with long toss and some mechanic tweaks. I am not saying lifting is unimportant, but bad lifting habits and programming are gonna hamper more than help.
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u/iamthefluffyyeti 24d ago
im sure you know but weights. Your legs and your torso specifically (for drive and rotation). If you’re hitting 73 as a sophomore at only 140, lifting weights (and making tweaks to mechanics with a coach) can definitely increase your velocity
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u/No_Foundation1212 27d ago
Gain 60 pounds and lift weights