We started our Velo Watch List Series in 2021 to show that a 90-mph fastball is often the metric that separates D1 prospects from D2/D3 commits. In 2021, we counted 31 New England high school prospects who recorded 90-mph fastballs. That number has grown every year since. Last year, we counted 65 New England prospects with 90-plus mph fastballs. This year, that number is up to 85.
The list includes 55 players in the Class of 2027, 28 in the Class of 2028, and two in the Class of 2029. The split among right-handers/left-handers is 77 to 8. We may consider dropping the metric for left-handers to 85 mph next year.
We made some difficult cuts. At least a handful of players with documented 89-mph fastballs did not make the cut because we couldn't find an instance of 90 mph.
Here's a look at the eight left-handers with 90-mph fastballs.
