In this post we focus on pitching goals and pitching metrics—both tangible and intangible—and what coaches are looking for at different levels of college play. Starting with Division III (D3) and Community College pitchers, prospects at this level often show a lot of growth potential, even as seniors in high school. Typically, coaches are looking for about a strikeout per inning during a good game and an ERA (earned run average) somewhere between 4.00 and 5.00. Pitchers at this level can succeed with different styles, such as submarine pitching or relying more on off-speed pitches rather than velocity.
Coach Berer added that there is a wide range in D3, especially between regular programs and highly academic schools like Johns Hopkins or Swarthmore. Generally, D3 pitchers are often the number three or four pitcher on their high school staff, throwing between 80–82 mph. Even if they aren’t overpowering, pitchers who can get outs have a place, as no college team ever feels they have enough pitching. He also emphasized that some kids are not fully physically developed at 17, and starting at the D3 level can be a springboard for growth. Coach shared a story of a player who pitched very little in high school, entered college at 5’9″ throwing 82 mph, and by his junior year had grown to 6’3″, throwing 94–95 mph, becoming a legitimate MLB draft prospect.
Moving up to the lower levels of Division II (D2) and NAIA, the expectations shift a bit. ERA typically drops to the mid-2.00s to high-3.00s range, and pitchers usually throw in the mid-80s, sometimes topping a bit higher. While velocity is important in today’s game, throwing strikes is still the number one priority. Coach emphasized that a player’s strike-to-ball ratio should be around 65–70%, regardless of level. The key differences between D1 and D2 are less about strike percentage and more about overall “stuff”—velocity, command of secondary pitches, and physical makeup.
At higher D2 levels or the cusp of D1, ERA expectations are tighter—generally under 3.00 and often closer to 2.00. Pitchers at this level need to show better velocity, command, and at least one or two effective secondary pitches. While velocity gets a player noticed, the ability to get outs keeps them on the mound. Even at the D1 level, there is still room for “junk ball” pitchers or those with lower velocity if they can consistently get outs, although it is less common because of the heavy emphasis on velocity today.
When considering player development from 9th through 12th grade, the growth in velocity is generally a straight line rather than a curve. Freshmen aiming to reach 90+ mph by senior year should be throwing 78–80 mph as 9th graders, 82–85 mph as 10th graders, and 85–88 mph as juniors. The big D1 schools look for pitchers hitting 90+ mph as seniors. Again, no matter how hard a pitcher throws, if they cannot consistently throw strikes, they will struggle to stay on the mound.