In the chase for 90mph, you will notice many examples of "max effort" pitching by High School and College prospects.
There are more grunts, jumps, yells, back slaps, and celebrations in training facilities everywhere. Social media is filled with video proof, as we know.
In the 14 years of coaching college players I have noticed, more so in the past five seasons, pitchers comparing workout routines rather than talking about mechanics, or pitch execution and approach (although this past year I noticed more discussions on pitch shaping and sequencing, which is a stop toward thinking like a pitcher). Let's put it this way, many young pitchers will not take a workout day off even when they know they could be pitching that evening. The strength addiction is too strong. Good or bad, it is a way of college baseball life in the 2020's. There is a proper way to handle in season training and does not involve multiple reps and trying to gain strength - that is for the off season.
The challenge for baseball players is to continually work on skill development, which requires enormous repetitive effort. More strength does not always equate to more success. Balance is the key word to keep in mind as players take their developmental journey.
Years ago, I visited the Arizona Fall League to watch some of the best minor league prospects work on their careers. I particularly enjoy watching the pregame and sideline work at the complexes - the one-on-one interaction between talented prospects and former players who share baseball wisdom.
I was fortunate enough to meet Jim Lebfevre,the former MLB player (1965 NL Rookie of the Year), coach and manager, who at the time was a minor league hitting instructor with the San Diego Padres. I watched him working with a few of their top draft picks of that past summer in the back fields of the Padres training complex. As luck had it, I ended up sitting with him for a quick lunch break. He was everything you would expect of an MLB "lifer" - engaging, friendly, and willing to talk baseball.
One comment he made regarding working with talented college stars from elite programs - with state-of-the-art training facilities and multiple resources - wondering how he is able to get even more out of them as pros. In fact, some super talented players go back to square one and reinvent themselves. Talk about trying to get buy in! It's difficult to get these guys who show off their highest exit velocities or pitch velocity for the world to see, either on social media or on showcase databases, then get humbled at the next level.
Jim addressed that saying, "It takes time. Some of these guys are exceptionally hard workers, but they are working hard on the wrong components of the game. I let them do it their way, asking what they learned, and their thought process. When they find the pieces of their game that aren't working, they are more apt to be receptive to change. There we begin to talk to about adjustments."
Pretty wise advice from a former MLB star. The message:
It takes time, repetition, failure, and corrective actions to make it look comfortable. The more comfortable a player can be is directly related to the amount of time put into the proper training routine they have chosen.
Maximum effort pitchers are some of the strongest, hardest training, emotional people you will ever meet. But pitchers who perform at a 95% effort level, meaning they don't get out of control physically or mentally, are the pitchers who tend to stand the test of time. In the end, coaches desire consistent peak performance from their pitchers. Riding the physical and emotional roller coaster is not the best way to achieve your long-term goals. There will be times in a game where 100% is needed (i.e. men on second and third, one out, you need that fastball to strike out the hitter), and then the max effort is waiting to be unleashed at the right time. It will have it if you don't overdo it on every pitch. We are human, and it is impossible to maintain the same high velocity over 80,100, 120 pitches. So, don't force it.
The same applies to how you train.
Pitchers, there is a time to ramp up your training, but it isn't all of the time! Learn how to feel your body work correctly before you max it out. Find a professional baseball strength coach to understand the way your body works.
This game is hard enough to play when there is no stress. Don't let the stress and pressure that coaches, teammates, or parents make cause you to go outside of your comfortable effort level until you are ready to push it harder. Gain strength at the right pace. Train on your terms but be honest with yourself, gather information, and search hard for quality feedback that comes from those who have been there.
You will ultimately have the final say in what you do, but it takes a support team to keep you gathering information, testing it, and moving forward!
