While waiting out another rain delay, I did a quick analysis on some pitching velocity data I found online that was produced in a recently held individual showcase called "Best of the East." The event featured mostly 2014, 2015, 2016 grads and one hard throwing 2017 graduate. The data included name, grad year and high school of each participant. Seventy participants pitched and had their fastball velocity recorded. Using the high end of their recorded fastball velocity range, I compared each player to our Battle Up! Arm Strength Chart and came up with the following data of my own.

--- Only 2 of the 70 "Best" pitchers at this event are on a professional development track 
--- Fewer than 1/3 of them throw hard enough to be considered a legitimate collegiate pitching prospect.
--- 55% of the East's "Best" pitchers display only high school worthy fastball velocity
--- The other 10%  or so of the readings are equivalent to the velocity you find in your neighborhood recreational league games

Combining the last two observations together suggests 65% of all the pitchers showcasing in an event billed as the "Best" in the region don't yet have the velocity to presently qualify as a legitimate collegiate pitching prospect. The remaining one-third who did show collegiate potential threw just barely hard enough to qualify for the collegiate track but with another passing year would likely fall below those standards..

What do these results suggest to me?  Two things. The first thing the data shows me is that the door to college scholarships and professional contracts is WIDE OPEN to anyone willing to get after it with velocity training! And I mean WIDE OPEN!

If this event showcased the "Best" in this region then how softly must the other bazillion pitchers showcasing themselves all summer long be throwing?

Secondly, if you add an extra 5 mph to the fastball velocity of the kids at this event, the percentages associated with each developmental track increase geometrically. The number on pace to develop into pro prospects quadruples. The number on track to become collegiate prospects doubles.

The door's open. Our INVINCIBLE Boot Camps and Mini-Camps can put you on track to reap the rewards! Are you ready to get after it?

Next time: Pitching is where the money is in baseball!