Not all 90-mph fastballs are created equal, particularly for high school and prep prospects who seem to strive for that magic number.
Historically, the elite high school MLB Draft prospects from New England -- the Tyler Beedes, Frank Mozzicatos and Thomas Whites -- showcase mid- to high-90s fastball velocity with precise command, all while demonstrating an ability to get outs with other pitches. The classic New England D1 recruit typically can touch 90 mph on the radar gun, and he too can command that pitch while showing potential with other pitches.
That's a long way of saying that there are more important things than throwing a 90-mph fastball. Focusing on becoming a well-rounded pitcher is a better path to big-time college baseball than investing time and energy into hitting a high-velocity number on one pitch. Regardless, the 90-mph metric can be huge in a high school pitcher's recruitment, as throwing 90 can be a prerequisite for some scouts and recruiters. As such, we've tried to track all of New England's high school and prep pitchers who have touched 90 mph in 2022. Our current list is 40 players long. Think of this list as a running database. We will update it as pitchers hit the metric.
If you’re a pitcher — or know of a high school or prep pitcher — who has eclipsed 90-mph on the radar gun, reach out by email ([email protected]) or social media. Here's a look at 40 high school and prep prospects who have hit 90 mph on the radar gun in 2022.
