Baseball Recruiting News

[utisdabomb12]

Texas got a commitment from Donald Boyles tonight, RHP. Ranked as the 14th prospect nationally according to Perfect Game. My uncle is a pro scout and he says Boyles is the best pitcher in the country. Only downside is he thinks it's 50/50 on whether he goes pro coming out of high school. 

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Sounds like a big pick up, if it sticks.

Why does your uncle feel he's the best pitcher in the country? What's he got?

I was recruited in HS. While I had the Phillies and Reds show up to one of my games to clock my pitches, the biggest honor that year was a visit from Gus. Nothing came of it as I didn't play baseball for Texas, but the fact that he thought enough of me to come see me pitch was just huge for me. Daingerfield is not an easy place to get to from Austin.

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Wait, Donald Boyles?  Donald is a guy that cover select teams and does some UT baseball coverage for IT.  You sure you have the name right?

 

[utisdabomb12]

Wait, Donald Boyles?  Donald is a guy that cover select teams and does some UT baseball coverage for IT.  You sure you have the name right?

Brain fart. Donald Boyles is who reported the commitment. Had him on the mind, when I  meant to type Nolan Kingham. 

Uncle says Nolan throws in the low 90s with a very good curveball. Lots of movement on his fastball. Has a pretty good change up too. 

 

[JimR]

Low 90s is good but not remarkable these days. If consistently 92 and touches 95, very, very good

 

[utisdabomb12]

Low 90s is good but not remarkable these days. If consistently 92 and touches 95, very, very good

Based on what my uncle had to say it's not speed that makes him effective. It's the movement. You are right though a lot of pitchers throw in the low 90s these days. He also said his fastball looks faster then low 90s because he takes a good bit off his change and curve.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Based on what my uncle had to say it's not speed that makes him effective. It's the movement. You are right though a lot of pitchers throw in the low 90s these days. He also said his fastball looks faster then low 90s because he takes a good bit off his change and curve.

Well, there ya go. That off speed stuff is a knee buckler if the speed pitch is effective.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

You are right though a lot of pitchers throw in the low 90s these days.

To be fair. there aren't many kids in college that throw in the low 90's. 90-92, yes. Any more speed than that typically gets drafted.

 

[joeywa]

I don't think Donald has any eligibility remaining. 

 

[utisdabomb12]

I don't think Donald has any eligibility remaining. 

He throws a mean underarm pitch, so there's plenty of arm left. 

 

[monarch]

this is indeed a GOOD DAY!

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Where does the kid play HS ball?

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Where does the kid play HS ball?

He's from Las Vegas, NV.

 

[JimR]

when I went back to coaching in '95 after twenty years away, I was amazed at how many HS kids threw 85 and above. we scrimmaged Austin High each year before the season, and they ran a gazillion guys out there who threw 85-88. many of them never pitched an inning during the season. 90-92 is not unusual for an elite HS pitcher these days. boggles my mind. 

 

[UTPhil2006]

Hopefully he makes it to campus.

 

[JimR]

Hopefully he makes it to campus.

don't hold your breath

 

[armadillo slim]

when I went back to coaching in '95 after twenty years away, I was amazed at how many HS kids threw 85 and above. we scrimmaged Austin High each year before the season, and they ran a gazillion guys out there who threw 85-88. many of them never pitched an inning during the season. 90-92 is not unusual for an elite HS pitcher these days. boggles my mind. 

what did elite pitchers throw back in your day, jim.

i realize something like Hooten's knuckle curve wasn't a speed pitch, but what about the guy's who threw hard?  street was undefeated.  where was he?  just curious because i agree with you, it seems to me that pitchers have been getting faster on average, but there have always been guys who could throw really hard (ryan, gibson, feller, etc).

 

[JimR]

there were no radar guns to tell us back then. I have no idea. Hooton threw pretty hard, but the knuckle curve was unhittable. Street was no better than sneaky fast, but his curve was hellacious. the guys you mentioned in the parenthetical were other-worldly and were well above elite.