MMV #042: Pitching Development Boils Down to these 4 Categories

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Read time: 3 minutes

If you want to get better at something you have to have a clear plan.

Pitching development boils down to 4 categories. 

In todays newsletter we'll break down each one and help you create a clear plan for yourself or your players.

Let's dive into the 4 categories:

1. Mechanical

What is your goal from a delivery standpoint?

What do you need to improve?

What is going to have the biggest impact on the rest of the delivery?

You don't want to waste your time on things that don't matter. 

Possible areas to improve:

• Loading pattern
• Rotation
• Lead leg mechanics
• Arm action

Which area do you need to start with and which one potentially could improve another area as a byproduct?

These changes will likely require skill work on the mound, but also away from the field.

Improving your movement capability, strength, etc.

Mechanics can be messy and they don't change overnight.

2. Command

Once again we want to work on something that is going to make the biggest impact on everything else.

You also have to understand it’s a progression.

If you have a serious walk issue, you shouldn’t set a goal that is unrealistic in a short amount of time.

 We are looking for quick wins that you can build on.

Goal setting tip: Instead of your goal being to decrease walks, make the goal something that leads to less walks.

Examples:

• First pitch strikes
• Fastball in zone %
• Off-speed in zone %
• Amount of AB's <4 pitches

Good process goals will lead to good results.

3. Arsenal

This is the fun one.

Increasing velocity or the movement of a pitch.

When deciding a movement goal, consider how it will play with your other pitches.

Always look at the movement of your pitches in relation to your primary fastball.

2 pitchers could have identical moving sliders, but one of them could perform much better.

It comes back to how it interacts with the rest of your pitches. 

Something else to consider:

A more north/south mix (4seam and depth pitches) will typically play better to opposite handed hitters and an east/west mix (sinkers and sliders) will typically play better against same sided hitters. 

4. Mental

There is a lot of detail in this one.

In its simplest form:

How well can you focus on what is in front of you without being distracted by the past or future?

This could be:

• Your ability to focus on the next pitch
• The next set in the weight room

It applies to everything.

Another aspect of this is how you use your stuff in game, set up hitters, and understand their approach.

When you have limited data on hitters this can be an advantage.

RECAP

The 4 buckets of training:

1. Mechanical
2. Command
3. Arsenal
4. Mental

That's all for today.

See you next week!

Whenever you're ready, there is 1 way we can help you:

Remote Training: a personalized training plan to help you reach your goals on the mound.

How it works:

• Video yourself performing our 3-part assessment (movement, strength, pitching)
• Receive first block (4 weeks) of your program
  • Mobility and warm up routine
  • Throwing plan for each day with drills and bullpen plans
  • Lifting and cardio plan
  • Basic nutrition plan
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  • Text and phone calls to give feedback on video of drills and exercises
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