Velocity

[CanadianKid]

Well today I got back from an MLB tryout. There were several scouts from the Blue Jays, Mets, Brewers and a few other teams. I was clocked between 74-82mph on my fastball, at 70-72mph on my change-up and 69-72mph on my curveball. I know it's too early to assume or believe that I "didn't make it" however I didn't get any comments from the scouts, good or bad. I figured because the guys who were getting those comments, 2 guys in particular, 1 topped out at 88mph (18yrs old) and the other, a guy from the Dominican topped out at 91mph with a 77mph change-upp(24yrs old). So my question for you guys is how to increase my velocity since I'm eligible for this tryout for at least 5 more years (17 right now). I want to fall in the mid to high 80's range with my fastball and get up to the mid 70's with my curveball. I've heard long toss increases velocity and arm strength but are there any other drills that can be done? and how can long toss be done alone?

Thanks.

CK

[Nsideheat]

Thats weird that your fastball was from 74-82. Thats a pretty wide range. Are you a lefty or a righty? I am pretty sure there is no age limit on those tryouts. But to your question... Make sure to use your lower body when throwing, a lot of younger pitchers do not use thier legs to throw. Do a lot of theraband work for your shoulder and torso work.

[CanadianKid]

I'm a righty. My 2 seamers were in the 74-77 range and my 4 seamers in the upper 70's lower 80's. What do you mean by theraband workouts? What are these? Also, does size really play a big part in velocity? For example will a guy who is 6"4 throw harder than a guy who is 5"11? Because I'm about 5"11 180.

[CanadianKid]

I'll try and get some video of me pitching, but I have no easy access to a field with an actual mound.

[uberpsycho]

My thoughts as a layman:

For example will a guy who is 6"4 throw harder than a guy who is 5"11? Because I'm about 5"11 180.

Not at all. Two extremes that come too mind are, Aaron Harang, whom is 6'8 275 yet essentially a dart thrower, and Tim Lincecum and Roy Oswalt, the two 5'11 170 and 6'0 185 respectively, and both pitch at a very high velocity.

And as Nsideheat alluded too, a lot of that pitching velocity will come from the lower body. Perhaps hip rotation. Also I'm not sure how much it helps but you'll notice both Lincecum and Oswalt take huge strides with their front legs.

[CanadianKid]

I know power comes from legs and hip rotation so abs workout helps as well. I've noticed the stride length that Lincecum has, I'm assuming there is such a thing as "over-striding" so what is considered an average length?

[uberpsycho]

I don't know, but I found a short article on stride and pitching velocity that may help you.

http://www.stevenellis.com/steven_ellis_the_complete/2006/08/the_secret_to_p.html

As a general rule, a baseball pitcher should stride out laterally from the rubber a distance that's about 77 to 87 percent of his height....

[wogdoggy]

maybe check into ron woolforths atletic pitcher program.its exercises with weighted balls bands medicine balls etc..bought it but more for older more serious players

[EdmondsFan#1]

I know power comes from legs and hip rotation so abs workout helps as well. I've noticed the stride length that Lincecum has, I'm assuming there is such a thing as "over-striding" so what is considered an average length?

I'd say average is about 80% although Tim Lincecum's stride length is something like 132%...

Also, make sure you maintain a long stride but also to keep your weight on the back leg, my velocity went down and I couldn't figure out what did it until I loaded my back leg. That alone gave me 5-8 mph.