High School Pitchers

[orangeblood]

Just wanted to get some thoughts on what others view as a dominant pitcher..


Definition of Dominant - commanding, controlling, prevailing over all others.....

[coach]

Originally posted by orangeblood
Just wanted to get some thoughts on what others view as a dominant pitcher..


Definition of Dominant - commanding, controlling, prevailing over all others.....

pitching command, baseball smarts, movement on his fastball, but the number 1 aspect of a good highschool pitcher is being able to spot his pitches on the corners

[VWG]

I have seen a couple of kids over the years that couldn't break 70mph with their fastball.
They worked the hitters, threw breaking balls that broke out of the zone, climbed the ladder, nibbled at the black, and they got hitters out.
Doesn't matter how hard you throw... can you get hitters out?

One thing we shouldn't forget. The coach calling pitches on the bucket plays a big part in how good a hs pitcher can be.

[Texas_Fight_05]

The most important pitch in baseball is Strike One. If a pitcher can throw first pitch strikes consistently, meaning he can get ahead of a hitter, that's when he can be the most effective and that's when he has command, regardless of how hard he throws or what pitches he has.

[Daddy D 11]

Originally posted by Texas_Fight_05
The most important pitch in baseball is Strike One. If a pitcher can throw first pitch strikes consistently, meaning he can get ahead of a hitter, that's when he can be the most effective and that's when he has command, regardless of how hard he throws or what pitches he has.

agreed

[g$$]

1. Command the strike zone & late movement

2. Change speeds

3. Velocity

...in that order. Velocity only measures arm strength, not if a guy can get hitters out or not. Nice to have but you better have more in your arsenal as you get older. Margin for error is more with plus velocity, & less for a soft-tosser as he has to be more precise w/ location (Greg Maddux at advanced age). You get away with more mistakes the harder you throw.

(Obviously a young pitcher with plus velocity will dominate lesser kids, but he better learn how to pitch as he advances up the chain. Good hitters can hit fastballs, esp. if hard & straight.)

To quote Ray Miller, longtime respected MLB pitching coach:

1. Work fast
2. Throw strikes
3. Babe Ruth is dead (go right after hitters, don't nibble & get yourself in trouble)

Good stuff!