Am i throwing hard enough for my age?

Question

Im about 5'8" 130 lbs
My fastball hits up around 71
15 years old, Freshman Baseball in the spring

Answer 1

You're doing alright, Ricky. You'll grow alot in the next year or two, and your arm will strengthen naturally. Whatever you do, don't start TRYING to throw harder- you'll wreck your arm. Here's my advice, which I have told all my young pitchers-

1.) Develop your changeup. It's the best pitch there is at your age because hitters at 14 or 15 sit on the fastball and it messes up their timing hardcore. Throw a couple changeups. get 'em leaning and blow a fastball by 'em. Or throw a couple fastballs around the corners and throw the change low and they're way out ahead. The change is awesome with any speed fastball because it's the same delivery, and it's 10-15 mph slower. It makes an average fastball seem very good and a very good fastball look incredible.

2.) To develop arm strength, do what we call "progressions". Start off 60 feet from a throwing partner and throw 20 times at about 75% speed. Move back to 90 feet, throw 20 times. Move back to 120, throw 20 times. Move back to 150, throw 20 times. Move back to 180, throw 10 times. Then move back to 150, 120, 90, and 60, throwing 20 times each. Use PROPER MECHANICS when you throw!! (Step forward with your drive foot, reach back to the power position with your fingers on top of the ball and your glove up to shoulder level, shoulder to target, drive from your legs, come over the top (3/4 to 7/8), extend your release point and follow through to your knee, tuck your glove, arch your back, kick up your drive foot and pause in that position.). Throw to a spot to work on your control, usually your partner's neck. Make sure you throw ON A LINE (straight as possible) and not with very much arc. Do this religiously at least 4 times a week in the winter and I guarantee your arm will get stronger within a few months.

3.) CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL
It doesn't matter if you throw 110mph if you can't throw to spots. Google a guy named Steve Dalkowski. He is the greatest example of this you'll EVER find.

All in all, you're really a little above average for your age. Don't think you're gonna add mph's overnight. It takes dedication to add more than natural speed SAFELY. You can do it, and you will. Good luck next season, bro!

Answer 2

Your height and weight is the same as me (I'm almost 17) and I can throw in the mid 70's. When you're my age, and hopfully heavier than I am, you shouldn't have too much trouble throwing in the 80's. And by time you're in college, you should be throwing in the mid-high 80's. Don't be too concerned with the speed you are throwing at. It's all about the K's and the wins.

College scouts don't give a D*** about how fast you can throw a ball if you can't get it in the strike-zone.

Remember, a lot of college and professionals throw their fastball around 85. At your age, you're not too far behind!

Answer 3

Since I don't watch a lot of High School Baseball, I don't know hwo hard players in High School throw that hard. But just becareful, even if you are thinking about playing baseball in college, or even for a Major League Baseball team one day in the future. And not everybody goes all the way to pro sports. You don't want to hurt yourself, where even the fact is that you spent time getting your shoulder, arms, etc checked out, and eam spending time on the Dl, or whatever list for injure players even in High School.

Answer 4

You should be concentrating on control and command. Speed will come as your arm develops. But your motion, control and command will get you to the next level. You dont need a 99 MPH fastball to be a good pitcher. Movement, location...those are the things that will set you apart.

Answer 5

Scouts look for a few things. yes if u can put up numbers on the gun. But they also like guys with great control. U NEED CONTROL. if you wanna go far control yourself. If you want to pitch in the Pros, one of the things they love is a guy with a great straight change. You can always go back and learn a hook, but change-ups are harder to develope. Plus they are better for throwing off hitters due to the spin and arm angle

Answer 6

i am a sophmore. that good but control is the number 1 priority

Answer 7

i would say average to slightly below average....ever so slightly....you should be in the upper 70s by now......hardthrowers would have touched a tint of 80s.....but considering your small size and weight....well not small....but weight is a little light.....i would say you should do more pushups at home!

Answer 8

not bad, keep it up!