I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Zach since he was a sophomore in high school. The summer prior to his Freshman year at the University of Massachusetts, he was consistently mid to upper 80s.
⠀
As he entered his first college season, his velo tanked (87mph to 78mph). There are many moving parts so it’s difficult to pinpoint exacts, but strength and mechanics were absolutely off by the time he came home from his first college season. Any pitcher that has lost almost 10mph in a year can attest to how Zach felt.
⠀
Zach worked hard this summer to get his 90mph formula metrics where they needed to be and we used the throwing video on the left as his baseline of how we needed to address his throwing mechanics through a few specific drills.
⠀
As he entered school this fall his 90mph formula metrics were:
-Trap bar- 425lbs (+8 chains)x 2
-Lunge- 315lbs for 3
-Chin up- 270lbs
-Bodyweight- 205 lbs
-Long toss- 300 ft
-Optimal Authentic Mechanics
⠀
Zach’s Optimal Authentic Mechanics are still a work in progress, but with the added strength (+100lbs on all big lifts), size, and more efficient mechanics he’s back to 86mph with regularity.
⠀
Something many people forget when overhauling mechanics is how accuracy sometimes falls apart during the initial phases. It’s often a necessary evil of restoring more efficient mechanics. Once those mechanics become authentically engrained with more quality reps, accuracy will be restored if strength metrics are held constant or improved.
⠀
Be sure to watch how much more athletic his newer mechanics are now vs the summer. Pitching should be a highly athletic movement.
⠀
I expect that as he continues to address his mechanics (especially his front leg lock) he will continue to add velocity until he regularly hits +90mph.

To learn more about our on-site training, visit our website by clicking here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Josh Heenan (@drheenan)