How to Be a Great Pitcher: Essential Skills, Practice Tips, and What Scouts Look For

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My memo-

Pitching is one of the most crucial and complex roles in baseball. A great pitcher has the ability to control the pace of the game, dominate opposing hitters, and ultimately determine the outcome of a match. However, becoming a great pitcher requires more than just a strong arm; it demands a combination of physical skill, mental toughness, and a deep understanding of the game. This memo I will explore the essential skills necessary for pitching success, practical tips for honing those skills, and what scouts look for when evaluating a pitcher’s potential.

Essential Skills for a Great Pitcher

Velocity

Importance: A fastball's speed can overpower hitters, giving the pitcher an edge in any count. While not the only factor, velocity is often the first thing scouts notice and movement.

Development: Building arm strength through long toss drills, resistance training, and proper mechanics can increase velocity over time. Focus on generating power from your legs and core, not just your arm.

Command and Control

Importance: Command refers to a pitcher's ability to throw strikes consistently, while control involves placing the ball precisely within the strike zone or just outside it to tempt hitters.

Development: Practicing location by throwing to specific spots within the strike zone during bullpen sessions is key. Pitchers should also work on varying speeds and movements to keep hitters off balance.

Pitch Arsenal

Importance: A successful pitcher needs more than just a fastball. Developing a secondary pitch (e.g., curveball, slider, changeup) is essential to keep hitters guessing.

Development: Focus on perfecting at least one or two secondary pitches. Practice throwing these with the same arm speed and release point as your fastball to maintain deception.

Mental Toughness

Importance: The mental aspect of pitching is just as important as physical skill. Great pitchers stay composed under pressure, quickly recover from mistakes, and maintain focus throughout the game.

Development: Incorporate mental training into your routine. Visualization techniques, breathing exercises, and learning to focus on the next pitch rather than dwelling on the last one are all beneficial.

Pitching Mechanics

Importance: Proper mechanics are critical to both performance and injury prevention. Good mechanics allow a pitcher to maximize velocity and movement while minimizing strain on the arm.

Development: Work with a coach to refine your mechanics. Video analysis can be particularly useful in identifying and correcting flaws in your delivery. Emphasize a consistent, repeatable motion.

Practice Tips for Aspiring Pitchers

Practice Sessions

Tip: Structure your bullpen sessions with purpose. Focus on specific aspects of your game, such as improving a particular pitch, working on location, or simulating game situations.

Example: Spend 15 minutes working on fastball command, then another 15 minutes on your secondary pitches. Finish with a simulated inning, imagining different counts and game scenarios.

Long Toss

Tip: Long toss is a great way to build arm strength and improve overall throwing mechanics. Gradually increase the distance between you and your throwing partner, focusing on maintaining good mechanics.

Example: Start at 60 feet and work your way back to 150 feet or more, depending on your comfort level. Use long toss as a warm-up or as part of your regular throwing program.

Pitching Drills

Tip: Incorporate a variety of drills into your routine to address different aspects of pitching. For example, towel drills can help with arm speed and follow-through, while balance drills focus on maintaining stability during your delivery.

Example: Perform the towel drill by snapping a towel at a target, emphasizing full extension and proper follow-through. For balance drills, practice holding your leg lift position for a few seconds before delivering the pitch.

Strength and Conditioning

Tip: A well-rounded strength and conditioning program is vital for pitchers. Focus on building strength in your legs, core, and shoulders, as these areas generate power and help prevent injuries.

Example: Incorporate exercises like squats, lunges, planks, and shoulder rotations into your workout routine. Be sure to include flexibility and mobility work to maintain a full range of motion.

Mental Rehearsal

Tip: Use mental rehearsal to prepare for games. Visualize yourself executing pitches in different situations, focusing on your delivery, location, and the batter's response.

Example: Before a game, spend 10-15 minutes visualizing key scenarios you might face, such as a full count with the bases loaded or pitching in the late innings with a narrow lead.

What Scouts Look for in a Pitcher?

Velocity

Scouts often measure a pitcher's potential by their fastball velocity. However, they also look at the pitcher's ability to maintain that velocity throughout a game and their overall arm strength. I personally like to see movement of the ball.

Command and Control

Consistently hitting spots within the strike zone is a key trait scouts look for. They value pitchers who can not only throw strikes but can also strategically place pitches to exploit hitters' weaknesses.

Pitch Arsenal

Scouts assess the variety and effectiveness of a pitcher’s pitches. A pitcher who can throw multiple pitches with confidence and consistency will stand out. They also look at the pitcher's ability to develop and refine these pitches over time.

Mechanics

Clean, efficient mechanics are critical. Scouts look for pitchers with smooth deliveries that minimize the risk of injury. They also pay attention to how easily a pitcher can repeat their delivery under pressure.

Composure and Competitiveness

Scouts value pitchers who exhibit mental toughness, composure, and a competitive edge. They look for players who thrive in high-pressure situations and have the resilience to bounce back from adversity.

Projectability

Scouts consider a pitcher’s physical attributes, such as height, build, and athleticism, to assess their long-term potential. A pitcher with room to grow physically and improve their skills is often viewed as a high-upside prospect.

My bottom Line-

Becoming a great pitcher is a challenging journey that requires dedication, practice, and a commitment to both physical and mental development. By mastering the essential skills, incorporating purposeful practice routines, and understanding what scouts are looking for, aspiring pitchers can position themselves for success at the next level. Whether you're aiming for high school, college, or the professional ranks, focusing on these key areas will help you maximize your potential on the mound.

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HOW TO THROW THESE PITCHER’S

If you are a Pitcher, I strongly suggest finding a very good Pitching Instructor. He can work with your mechanics and these pitches. You can also contact your Division One College Baseball Coach and ask him.

1. Four-Seam Fastball

Grip: Place your index and middle fingers across the seams where they form the closest horizontal line (the "horseshoe"). Your thumb should rest underneath the ball, directly between your index and middle fingers.

Arm Action: Use a full, over-the-top arm action. The wrist remains firm throughout the throw.

Release: Focus on throwing straight, with a high release point to achieve maximum backspin. This pitch is known for its velocity and tends to have a straight trajectory with minimal movement.

Effect: The four-seam fastball is typically the fastest pitch with a straight trajectory, making it a fundamental pitch in any pitcher's arsenal.

2. Two-Seam Fastball

Grip: Place your index and middle fingers along the seams where they are closer together (parallel to the seams). Your thumb should rest directly underneath the ball, similar to the four-seam fastball.

Arm Action: Use a similar arm motion as with the four-seam fastball, but with a slightly lower arm angle to encourage movement.

Release: Focus on a slightly lower release point with some pronation (turning your hand inward as you release the ball). This creates a slight downward and inward movement for right-handed pitchers.

Effect: The two-seam fastball is generally a bit slower than the four-seam, with more movement. It tends to sink slightly and tail in on right-handed batters if thrown by a right-handed pitcher.

3. Curveball

Grip: Grip the ball with your middle finger along one of the seams, while your index finger rests beside it, slightly spread apart. Your thumb should rest underneath, creating a tight grip.

Arm Action: Start with the same arm motion as a fastball, but as you reach the release point, snap your wrist downward to create topspin.

Release: Focus on a downward snap of the wrist at the release point to generate the topspin that causes the ball to drop sharply.

Effect: The curveball is a slower pitch with a significant downward break. The amount of break can vary depending on the grip and the arm angle.

4. Slider

Grip: Place your middle and index fingers close together on the ball, slightly off-center, toward the outside seam. Your thumb should rest underneath the ball, off-center as well.

Arm Action: Use a fastball-like arm motion but with more pressure from your middle finger. Maintain a firm wrist until the release.

Release: As you release the ball, apply more pressure with your middle finger while slightly turning your wrist inward (like a karate chop). This creates the sidespin needed for the slider's movement.

Effect: The slider is faster than a curveball with a sharp, late break. It tends to move sideways and downward, making it a deceptive pitch for hitters.

5. Changeup

Grip: Grip the ball with your ring, middle, and index fingers resting across the seams, with the thumb and pinky finger supporting the ball underneath.

Arm Action: Use the same arm action and arm speed as your fastball to disguise the pitch.

Release: Focus on a smooth, relaxed release, letting the ball slip out of your hand with minimal wrist action. This reduces the speed while maintaining a straight trajectory.

Effect: The changeup is slower than the fastball but delivered with the same arm speed, making it difficult for batters to detect. It often causes batters to swing early.

6. Knuckle Curve

Grip: Place your middle finger along one seam, with your index finger bent so the knuckle or fingernail rests on the ball. Your thumb should support the ball underneath.

Arm Action: Use a similar arm action to the curveball but with the added tension from your index finger.

Release: Snap your wrist downward at the release, using your knuckle to add a bit of extra spin. The motion should be similar to throwing a curveball but with a different grip.

Effect: The knuckle curve combines the sharp break of a curveball with the deceptive spin of a knuckleball, resulting in a pitch that drops sharply with less predictability.

7. Sinker

Grip: Grip the ball with your index and middle fingers slightly off-center, similar to a two-seam fastball, but with more emphasis on pressing down with your fingers.

Arm Action: Use a fastball-like arm action but with a slight pronation as you release the ball.

Release: Focus on a downward motion of your hand at the release point, with your fingers pressing down on the ball to generate sinking action.

Effect: The sinker is a fast pitch with a late, downward movement. It’s effective at inducing ground balls due to its sharp drop just before reaching the plate.

Bottom Line-

Mastering these pitches requires practice, precision, and understanding how each grip and release affects the ball’s trajectory and movement. Consistent mechanics and a repeatable arm motion are key to successfully throwing each of these pitches, making them effective tools in a pitcher’s repertoire.

Some of the greatest pitchers of all time.

Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax, Walter Johnson, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemmons, Pedro Martinez.

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