Don't specifically know...I do know a sophomore LHP at a very competitive D2. He will likely be their #2/3/4 guy this year...he throws in the high 80's. I believe he could have pitched at D1 as he has good stuff...just no one found him in time. I also expect he will be drafted after his junior or senior year.
----------------------- Go Bearcats!
Posts: 3678 | Location: California | Registered: June 22, 2003
Have seen a lot of DIII baseball. Would say the average is 82-85. The better DIII's will have pitchers averaging 84-87. On my son's team last year, they had multiple pitchers over 85mph. The two top for velocity were 89-92. The number one pitcher threw 83-86. A number of scouts told him all he needed to do was increase the velocity to 87 to 88 to get drafted. He very much had the body and mechanics to do that. This year that same team has 2 freshman who throw 88-89 regularly. If you look at the DII teams in Fla and TX you will find a number of pitchers at 90 plus. Tampa and Rollins College I know both had pitchers drafted who threw with that velocity.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2092 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
I know a sophomore at a D3 school in western PA who works in the low 90s and touches 95-96. When he was a high school senior he threw in the low 80s. He is not their number one starter, at least not yet.
Posts: 15 | Location: western pa | Registered: June 20, 2004
It is not uncommon to see hard throwing kids in DII & DIII schools. Sometimes these pitchers could have selected DI's but wanted to attend a certain college because of academics, location, etc. Also, they may throw hard, but, have little control and no other pitches. Therefore, a DI may have over;ooked them.
Posts: 346 | Location: Savannah | Registered: September 18, 2004
A DIII coach in NY told me his hardest throwing RHP is in the high 80s, but his best RHP was in the low 80s. Velocity gets you noticed, but command wins games.
Posts: 18 | Location: Smithfield, RI, USA | Registered: September 25, 2003
However, during my son's recruiting process, the D-III coaches were more concerned with can you hit your spots and through an off speed pitch for a strike no matter the count.
Posts: 553 | Location: Chesapeake, VA | Registered: December 30, 2002
In my experience, the better DIII programs will successfully recruit righties who throw 82-85 and really know how to pitch. My son's roommate was one of those. Had 3 offers with a small scholarship from mid-major DI's and chose the DIII where he was a weekend starter from day one and received a very attractive academic package. They will also recruit pitchers with upside who get overlooked. Scott Hyde, a 7th round pick of the Mets from George Fox would be a good example. Trinity U currently has a 6'5" righty who throws 92-93 and after lot's of work, has made himself a very good pitcher with pro potential. Has very good control, good curve and slider and working on a change. When he arrived in the program, he was a "prospect."
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2092 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
Also, you get a lot of very solid pitchers that choose DII or DIII because they will have an opportunity to start from day 1 versus sitting out for a couple of years at a DI.
Posts: 410 | Location: South Chicagoland | Registered: December 30, 2002
quote:Originally posted by steelers9: I was wondering what is the average velocity of a righthander at DII and DIII schools. Also what is the slowest and fastest anyone has seen.
And how bout lefties? same question...
Posts: 248 | Location: Queens, NY | Registered: June 18, 2003
quote:Originally posted by HSDad: Also, you get a lot of very solid pitchers that choose DII or DIII because they will have an opportunity to start from day 1 versus sitting out for a couple of years at a DI.
That is the discussion my '05 and I are having right now. Go to a school where you can actually play for 4 years or go to a school where you sit and watch for 2 years and play for 2 years.
Play every game as if it were your last. Someday you will be right!
Posts: 1201 | Location: SE WI | Registered: December 30, 2002
Can I add one more criteria to this discussion? What speed would be considered the "great divide" between being able to generate Division II interest? Would you say that there has to be a "top end" speed" and a "consistent speed?" Just wondering!
"... and if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plan."
There was a good point above. A college coach needs a pitcher/player to win next season or at least in the very near future. Whereas, the whole idea behind the farm clubs (minors) is to develop talent. So, if a kid is throwing in the 90's, but with poor control and really hasn't developed other pitches yet, he is often more attractive to the pro's. They have time and resources to gamble for a future (Sandy Koufax). They are unlikely to be interested in pitchers in the low 80's. However, it is a different ball game for college coaches (pardon the reference). They need to get batters out now. They need pitchers who can locate the ball, change speeds, etc.; you know, basically pitch. Speed is great, but it isn't the main defining criteria for college.
Posts: 346 | Location: Savannah | Registered: September 18, 2004
