Tell me about your pitching staff!

[cajun2bag]

_ My son is a Sr. in high school in Houston and he is interested in UL.

His fastball is usually between the low to mid 80's.
He is still growing due to his age. He just turned 17 and I am fairly sure he will be able to hit the 90's by the time he is finishing college.
He has developed a very good curve ball and he has an effective change up.

How good is the pitching staff at UL?

Is Robe and his staff good enough to get him to the next level?

Does UL use its pitchers wisely or does the pitching staff have constant arm problems?

Thanks, _

Please note that you should not worry about his velocity as much as you should location. There are plenty of guys that throw 90 that never pitch in college because they can't throw strikes.

Velocity helps, but is one of most overrated parts of pitching. Most D1 hitters can turn around a fastball and send it the other direction alot quicker than he who threw it.

[maddvector]

I agree! That is why I didn't over exaggerate his velocity like so many people tend to do.

Just being able to get into the 80's with your fast ball is an accomplishment.

He has good control and good movement on his fastballs.

He has really been working on his release point this year to improve his accuracy.

[Boomer]

Well the turf is being changed this year and your son will be in a beautifully redone stadium with suites etc. --Not a long drive from Houston and we usually ply there I think about twice a Year---Plus free meals at the Ragin Cajun in Houston(well just kidding) but the owner is a huge fan!!!!

[Cajun90]

I agree! That is why I didn't over exaggerate his velocity like so many people tend to do.

Just being able to get into the 80's with your fast ball is an accomplishment.

He has good control and good movement on his fastballs.

He has really been working on his release point this year to improve his accuracy.

Coach Robe is probably as good as any college coach at getting a kid a shot at the big leagues. IF they have the talent he can put them in a position to move on up. You seem to emphasis how many he has put in MLB. I'm not sure any college coach can effect that to much of an extent. No matter where they come out of they are going to have to prove their metal in the minors. You are starting to see a trend by a number of MLB teams to draft more college players. Some teams like the Angels don't even bother with high school kids anymore.

The biggest thing you will find is that coach does not abuse his pitchers. Our pitching staff rarely deals with a career ending injury. Some programs will use a good kid up by the time he graduates. Heck I've seen coaches do that in little league.

He is also very good at teaching the fundamentals. Robe's biggest point with pitchers is to develop a routine and be technically sound.

Boyd Nation of www.boydsworld.com has kept a pitch count abuse report going for a number of years. The Cajuns don't show up on it often. Keep in mind though that this doesn't necessarily tell the whole story either. Every pitcher is different and every pitch is different. Some guys can go out and throw 130 pitches and not think about it. I believe most pitchers get injuried from poor mechanics rather than pitch count and reference my above statement on technique.

P.S. If your son by some wild stretch does not end up a MLB pitcher in years to come you will be glad to know he can always fall back on a very well respected degree in engineering.

[Dad04]

_ We stopped and visited Tigue Field this past summer.

My son and I were impressed with the venue even without any fans... _

You should check it out sometime with you kid on the mound with a one run lead over South AL.........it rocks.

[Dad04]

_ Please note that you should not worry about his velocity as much as you should location. There are plenty of guys that throw 90 that never pitch in college because they can't throw strikes.

Velocity helps, but is one of most overrated parts of pitching. Most D1 hitters can turn around a fastball and send it the other direction alot quicker than he who threw it. _

Agreed. (see Hunter)

Throwing with the wrong hand it helpful sometimes. Which hand does the boy throw with?

[maddvector]

My son is a RHP, also plays 3rd, and occasionally in LF or RF.

[JMV JustMyView]

What school does he play far?

[maddvector]

My son asked me not to say anything about what school he plays for or his name until UL makes him an offer.

Right now everything is terminus a quo.

[ulforlife]

_ My son asked me not to say anything about what school he plays for or his name until UL makes him an offer.

Right now everything is terminus a quo. _

Is he currently being recruited by UL?