Metrics in the recruiting process

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May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
Has anyone noticed a direct correlation to a pitchers grip strength and how fast that player throws underhand?

My daughter went to a camp and they took metrics of the players. There were 35, 9u, and 10u players at the camp so relatively small sample size. I understand metrics for 9 and 10 year old kids are pretty useless but it was part of the camp cost. There was older kids at the camp that the metrics would mean more for those kids.

Something that caught my eye was there were two pitchers at the camp that threw over 50 mph at the 10u level. Both those kids had the highest grip strength out of all the 9 and 10u girls. One of the girls throws 55mph underhand and the other is at 52mph. Also, neither of the girls are extremely large kids. The average grip strength of all the kids was about 48, these two pitchers grip strength were in the 65 area.
 
Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
My DD has been to a few major D1 camps where metrics were taken. One school took batting EV, over hand throwing speed & home to first times. One school took throwing speed, & home to first. She attended one hitting clinic where she was asked to stay behind after so that they could measure her hitting metrics but she was the only one.
 
Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
Has anyone noticed a direct correlation to a pitchers grip strength and how fast that player throws underhand?

My daughter went to a camp and they took metrics of the players. There were 35, 9u, and 10u players at the camp so relatively small sample size. I understand metrics for 9 and 10 year old kids are pretty useless but it was part of the camp cost. There was older kids at the camp that the metrics would mean more for those kids.

Something that caught my eye was there were two pitchers at the camp that threw over 50 mph at the 10u level. Both those kids had the highest grip strength out of all the 9 and 10u girls. One of the girls throws 55mph underhand and the other is at 52mph. Also, neither of the girls are extremely large kids. The average grip strength of all the kids was about 48, these two pitchers grip strength were in the 65 area.

I have no idea about pitching speed but that is an interesting thought. My DD did tell me that one of the camps she attended Carly Hoover demonstrated the use of the calibers and said her grip strength was crazy high. All I have experience with is the overhand throwing speed, which DD is pretty much always at or near the top of the list. Her grip strength numbers the two times she has taken them or really low (low 60's) which is very surprising to me because she is a big strong kid.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
Has anyone noticed a direct correlation to a pitchers grip strength and how fast that player throws underhand?

My daughter went to a camp and they took metrics of the players. There were 35, 9u, and 10u players at the camp so relatively small sample size. I understand metrics for 9 and 10 year old kids are pretty useless but it was part of the camp cost. There was older kids at the camp that the metrics would mean more for those kids.

Something that caught my eye was there were two pitchers at the camp that threw over 50 mph at the 10u level. Both those kids had the highest grip strength out of all the 9 and 10u girls. One of the girls throws 55mph underhand and the other is at 52mph. Also, neither of the girls are extremely large kids. The average grip strength of all the kids was about 48, these two pitchers grip strength were in the 65 area.

Bold above is an interesting thought. I am definitely not an expert when it comes to pitching, but I would think that grip strength would have more to do with spin than it would to speed. At most camps my DD has been to, her speed consistently measures very close to the average of the group, or just slightly higher. Her grip strength is typically closer to the top of the list.
 
Feb 26, 2016
283
28
Murfreesboro, TN
It was not our experience that the coaches DD was recruited by were looking for those measurables.

They were, however, very alert to many non-measurables, like: how she hit against other pitchers who were top recruits, did she steal bases against catchers who were top recruits, her athleticism vs other kids on the field, etc. Basically, how she measured up against kids (or the type of kids) she will playing against in college.

This was most of the feedback we got from coaches that offered.
 
Apr 24, 2017
203
28
Georgia
The only thing I am aware of out of the camps we attended is at dd #2’s dream school the hc came to a station where they were measuring throwing speed and asked “who had over 60mph” and a home to first station and asked “who was 3.0 or less”. Anybody who met that standard go a hearty handshake and a pat on the back.

Throwing speed, exit velocity, and 20 yard speed are the only three coaches seem to have asked about. My DD is a speedy slapper and MI/OF so maybe that is why, but her throwing and speed are the only two numbers that have mattered so far.
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
I heard this from DD's PC yesterday and wanted to share- she had a student that was the real deal. Kid was interested in a P5 school where her PC knew the HC. After hearing about how good this s kid was, The HC asked 3 questions- how high can she jump? How far can she jump? What kind of eyes does she have? By the last question, she was asking about focus and the player's ability to learn. This coach knew that the criteria received in response to these three questions would tell her if this was a player she could work with.
 
Feb 26, 2016
283
28
Murfreesboro, TN
The HC asked 3 questions- how high can she jump? How far can she jump? What kind of eyes does she have? By the last question, she was asking about focus and the player's ability to learn. This coach knew that the criteria received in response to these three questions would tell her if this was a player she could work with.

Are you sure the HC was not asking about her crow-hop? LOL....
 
Oct 17, 2014
123
18
D1 coach here. I am interested in:

20 yard dash time
Bench press
Squat
Chin-ups
Vertical jump
Overhand throwing speed
Pitcher fastball speed
Catcher pop time
Outfield pop time
Batting exit velocity
Batting approach angle
Average distance of hit
GPA
ACT/SAT test score (no later than fall of sophomore year)

I know I may be an outlier in wanting so much info, but it all helps tell the story....
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,219
113
USA
D1 coach here. I am interested in:

20 yard dash time
Bench press
Squat
Chin-ups
Vertical jump
Overhand throwing speed
Pitcher fastball speed
Catcher pop time
Outfield pop time
Batting exit velocity
Batting approach angle
Average distance of hit
GPA
ACT/SAT test score (no later than fall of sophomore year)

I know I may be an outlier in wanting so much info, but it all helps tell the story....

Maxx - thanks for chiming in here. Can you please explain a bit more about a couple of items on your list?

Regarding the Bench Press numbers - max weight or reps at a certain weight?
Squats - what is most useful here for you?
Outfield pop time? First time I've seen/heard it expressed like that. From where to where? ie; ground to release or ?
ACT/SAT scores - my DD's (pitcher/Catcher combo) are in their sophomore year, just took the ACT and took the PSAT last fall which was earlier than most around us (that we know of). Did great and still hoping to improve. Are we too late?

Thanks for any clarification here, I understand and we have the other numbers you mention.
 

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