Pitcher Grading Groups: What Your Evaluation Really Means

When pitchers are scouted—by college recruiters, MLB teams, or crosscheckers—there’s a shorthand used behind the scenes to group talent. These “Groups” aren’t just about velocity or stats; it is about how they believe you will project at the next level when compared to what the next level actually is.  After years working in both college recruiting and MLB draft rooms, here’s an inside look at the typical Group grading scale and what it means for you.

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Group 8: Dominant Ace or Hall of Famer

• Description: True #1 starter, dominant MLB closer, or future Hall of Famer.
  
  

• Reality: This is the absolute elite. Very few pitchers are ever evaluated here. Think of aces that change the direction of a franchise or closers who own October. 
  
  

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Group 7: Top of Rotation / Championship Closer / Perennial All-Star

• Description: #1 or #2 MLB starter, closer for a championship team, perennial all-star.
  
  

• Reality: The front-line arms every organization covets. These are the pitchers who not only perform but do so under the bright lights, year after year.
  
  

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Group 6: Mid-Rotation Starter or Top Setup

• Description: Reliable #3 starter, high-leverage setup man (sometimes a closer or 8th-inning reliever for a title team).
  
  

• Reality: Most championship teams are built on these arms. Maybe not superstars, but critical pieces who deliver quality and stability.
  
  

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Group 5: Back-End Starter / Average Setup / Top Situational

• Description: #4 or #5 starter, average 7th-inning reliever, or top matchup specialist on a playoff club.
  
  

• Reality: These pitchers fill out winning rosters. They’re capable, sometimes streaky, and may bounce between rotation and bullpen.
  
  

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Group 4: Long Reliever / Spot Starter / Middle Relief

• Description: Long reliever, spot starter, or secondary situational arm in middle relief.
  
  

• Reality: Not everyday contributors, but valuable for depth and flexibility. Often called on when the team needs innings.
  
  

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Group 3: Up-and-Down, Emergency Help

• Description: Emergency major league help, up-and-down between minors and MLB.
  
  

• Reality: Sometimes called “AAAA” guys—they can fill in when needed, but haven’t secured a permanent spot.
  
  

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Group 2: Organization Value Only

• Description: Maxes out at Double-A, serves as depth/filler at Triple-A, not a candidate for the big leagues.
  
  

• Reality: Important for filling rosters in the minors, but unlikely to impact at the MLB level.
  
  

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Group 1: Non-Prospect

• Description: No professional value, likely to be released.
  
  

• Reality: The end of the road in pro baseball terms.
  
  

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Other Grades You Might See

• G: Did not see (scout did not get a real look at the pitcher).
  
  

• P: Prospect, but not yet ready for major league competition (often a young player with projection).  Players receive a “P” when they are viewed as having higher projection but they still need reps and experience to learn the game. 
  
  

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What Does This Mean for You?

If you’ve ever received an evaluation and wondered what “Group 4” or “Group 7” really means, this scale is your answer.

• The higher the group, the more impact you’re projected to make.
  
  

• The lower, the more you’ll need to improve—or the more likely you are to be considered organizational depth.
  
  

These grades are not personal—they’re a snapshot of where your tools, command, and performance fit right now. The good news? Players move up and down this scale all the time through development, role changes, and adjustments.  Interested in moving up the grading scale?  Reach out to get your evaluation and lets create a plan for you! 

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Want to know your group and what it will take to level up?
jordan@utahrotationalathletetraining.com

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How are you actually evaluated?

How Pitchers Are Evaluated: Understanding What Others Are Looking For

When it comes to pitching, talent isn’t just about how hard you throw or how nasty your slider is—it’s about how all your traits work together. Whether you're being evaluated by a college coach, professional scout, or development staff, there are consistent metrics and tools they use to assess your ability and project your future.

I’ve spent 7 years recruiting at the collegiate level and 6 years in the MLB draft room, and the insight I’m sharing here comes directly from those experiences. These are the real conversations happening in war rooms and coaches’ offices—beyond the radar gun or hype video

Velocity – Real, Perceived, and Effective

Everyone talks about velocity—but not all velocity is created equal.

- Real velocity is what shows up on the gun. It’s the raw number that gets attention fast.  

- Perceived velocity takes into account your release height, extension, and timing—some pitchers “play up” because the ball gets on hitters quicker.  

- Effective velocity shifts depending on pitch sequencing. A 90 mph fastball looks different if it follows a 72 mph curveball or an 86 mph cutter.

Scouts don’t just watch the radar gun—they ask:  

Is it getting swings? Is it holding up deep into outings? Is it dominating good hitters?

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Command and Control – BB/9 and Throwing the Ball Where You Want It

Command is more than just avoiding walks.  

It’s about putting the ball exactly where it needs to be **in the count, in the situation, and within the zone**.

- Control = Can you throw strikes?  This is evaluated through BB/9 

- Command = Can you throw quality strikes with intent?  Does the ball go where you intend it.  

One of the simplest indicators evaluators use is BB/9 (walks per 9 innings). If that number is consistently high, you’re going to fall into a lower projection tier—no matter how electric your stuff is.  It is very hard to defend a walk. 

Scouts also watch bullpen sessions, game situations, and how pitchers adjust. Do you make pitches when it counts? Do you attack hitters or avoid contact?

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 The 20–80 Scale – Understanding How It Works

This is the language of evaluation across all levels.

- 20 = well below average

- 50 = average MLB level 

- 80 = elite, Hall of Fame potential

Scouts grade out key tools like:

- Fastball velocity & life  

- Breaking ball shape  

- Feel for offspeed  

- Command  

- Pitchability  

- Athleticism & body projection

A pitcher with a 60 grade overall on a pitch would consist of more than just velocity, it will have a variety of command, velocity, movement, and various other grading aspects that add to the total grading of that pitch.  Grades help decision-makers communicate, compare players, and build out depth charts.

And here’s the key: these grades aren’t just about who you are now—they’re about who you can become.

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Final Thoughts

Pitching evaluations aren’t about hype. They’re about projection and trust. Can your tools play at the next level? Are you trending up or plateauing? Are you the same guy in April, July, and October?

Understanding how you’re graded helps you train smarter, focus your development, and present yourself better in front of coaches and scouts.

This post is not an all encompassing aspect of how players are graded and evaluated.  I will continue to put things out as often as possible to give more into the the mind of scouts and recruiters so you can better prepare yourself to get to the next level.  

Want to get an honest breakdown of where you stand and how to level up?

Reach out to get something schedled

-Jordan Oseguera

jordan@utahrotationalathletetraining.com

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How to Know If Your Pitcher Is Overtraining, or More Likely, Under-Recovered

Most youth pitchers aren’t throwing too much, they are PITCHING too much and they’re recovering too little.

Between practices, private lessons, lifting, and tournaments, it’s easy to think more reps will equal better performance. But development doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing the right amount and recovering from it fully.

At URATBB, one of the biggest issues we help pitchers solve is hidden fatigue—when the body is still tired, tight, or imbalanced but the athlete keeps pushing forward. That’s where injuries and plateaus start.

Here’s how to recognize if your pitcher is overtraining—or under-recovering.

1. Performance Drops Without a Clear Cause

- Velocity has dipped 1–3 mph

- Command has gotten worse

- Throws feel “heavy” or inconsistent

- Mechanics look fine, but the results aren’t

-Pitch Metrics are Degrading 

This is often a sign the nervous system is still fatigued—even if the athlete says they feel fine. That’s why we use daily readiness testing with ArmCare.com to monitor this behind the scenes.

Testing consistently and daily with ArmCare allows us to stay ahead of the dreaded "Dead-Arm" that plagues many pitchers.  Understanding where the arm is at by daily testing or at least 3x/week in season allows us to make adjustments to the athletes on the fly to increase or decrease volumes as needed. 

We also utilize PitchLogic to determine what is happening with overall pitch shapes and movement qualities, mainly with our older athletes, to determine if they are seeing performance regressions in movement.  Often times fatigue does not show up in velocity, but shows up in pitches becoming flatter and losing your crisp action on pitches. 

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2. Soreness That Lingers or Returns Quickly

Normal soreness after a lift or a hard session is fine. But:

- Arm tightness that returns after light throwing  

- Muscle soreness that sticks around for multiple days  

- Shoulder or forearm tension that won’t go away  

These are signs the body isn’t recovering efficiently. Tools like Marc Pro help flush this out and support faster recovery, but the key is recognizing it early.

Again, everything links back to ArmCare.  The only way you know if you're not recovering is by testing your actual muscle strength.  I have many of my athletes pair the ArmCare testing with the recovery aspects of Marc Pro to maximize their daily and weekly throwing plans.  We cannot maximize our development if we are not recovered, and we don't know if we are recovered if we are not testing! 

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3. Poor Body Language or Low Energy

Watch for subtle shifts:

- They’re quieter than usual  

- Less explosive during sprint or agility drills  

- Fatigued after warm-up  

- Rushing through reps or disengaged  

Pitchers might not always say they feel off—but their movement and effort will show it. This is where coaches and parents need to pay attention.

A lot players are natural competitors.  They don't want to come out of games or practice but they also don't recognize fatigue.  Most of the time this fatigue is neurological which means we need to de-load or take a few days off the let the body recoup.  Again, you will notice a theme, we stay ahead of this by constant arm strength testing to identify the onset of neurological fatigue so we can avoid the issue altogether! 

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4. They Stop Getting Better

- No improvement in velocity, command, or strength  

- Flat bullpen sessions  

- Jump metrics and sprint times stall  

Progress should never be constant, but if they hit a wall for more than 2–3 weeks, it may not be a training problem—it may be a recovery problem.

A good friend of mine, and URATBB advocate, Andrew Hawkins brought the phrase to my mind that their is no such thing as over training, you are just under recovering.  See link for a video of the services Andrew offers to URAT Players  (https://youtu.be/RwvbJy7bHVw?si=iG7P1Gs6rW3Pr_JQ)

In the age of instagram reels of squats, deadlifts, long toss, and weighted ball throws we don't have a shortage of players that are willing to work.  But what we miss is that our players do not utilize the actual aspects of what allows progress to occur, the recovery phases.  

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How We Fix It at URATBB

If you or your athletes are experiencing this issues don't hesitate to reach out! 

We use a combination of ArmCare.com readiness tests, Marc Pro, Pitch Logic and structured programming to monitor fatigue and recovery daily. Each athlete gets customized strength(ArmCare.Com), throwing, and recovery work based on what their body needs—not just what the calendar says.  Every athlete is an individual and not every day will be the same.  Athletes need to adjust on the fly and increase and lower throwing volumes based on what the strength data says, not what the mind says.  

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters—and recovering smarter.

This means that athletes need to track nutrition, sleep, pitch movement data, and how their body is recovering.  

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Want help building a recovery-smart throwing plan?

Reach out today to schedule a private evaluation or learn more about our ArmCare-driven training system.

jordan@utahrotationalathletetraining.com 

Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJsWRrRS-iaSImYYPRosogeMM39zQctph-Mlb3ypag34dspQ/viewform

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Building A Durable Arm in the Off-Season

When the final out of the season is recorded, too many pitchers shut it down—or worse, jump straight into velocity work without building a solid foundation. The off-season is your golden window to create durability, increase velocity safely, and prepare the body for the demands of the next season.

Here’s how we approach building a durable, high-performance arm at URATBB.

1. Fix Imbalances First with ArmCare.com

Before any throwing or training begins, we start with an ArmCare.com strength and mobility assessment. This gives us precise data on the shoulder’s internal and external rotation strength, range of motion, and overall symmetry.

But arm strength is just one part of the equation.

At URATBB, we take it further by also establishing a full athletic performance baseline, including:

• Broad jump distance – to measure lower body power
• Sprint speeds (10–60 yards) – to track acceleration and max velocity
• Rotational medicine ball throws – to evaluate hip-to-shoulder energy transfer and rotational explosiveness

These tests give us a clearer understanding of how well a pitcher moves, how efficiently they generate force, and where they’re limited. It also allows us to identify red flags that could affect durability, deceleration, or throwing mechanics.

Once we have the data, every athlete receives a custom corrective and performance plan—starting with what they need most.

2. Build Arm-Friendly Strength with Bodyweight & Functional Training

Not every pitcher needs to jump into heavy weights right away. In fact, many young arms benefit more from bodyweight and functional strength training during the off-season. It’s about building usable strength in the right areas—without overloading joints or compromising mechanics.

We focus on:

• Core stabilization and anti-rotation
• Posterior chain activation
• Controlled push/pull movements
• Rotator cuff and scapular stability
• ArmCare.com custom shoulder training

Here’s a sample program for younger athletes to help get you started, just email us or fill out our intake form online and we will email it to you  

3. Prioritize Recovery as Much as Training

You don’t grow during the workout—you grow during recovery.

Our off-season plans include structured recovery built into every week:

• 90/90 Karaoke – 5 to 10 minutes
• Foam Roll – 7 to 10 minutes
• Marc Pro – 7 to 10 minutes

Combined with daily readiness tracking via ArmCare.com, athletes stay fresh, adapt faster, and reduce injury risk.

4. Start Throwing Intelligently

When it’s time to start throwing again, we never “just play catch.” Every throw has a purpose and is tracked using PitchLogic. This gives us live feedback on:

• Arm slot
• Velocity
• Spin efficiency
• Release timing
• Recovery workload

It allows us to ramp up smart, while also improving pitch shape and mechanics.

5. Train the Whole Athlete

A durable arm doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s part of a fast, explosive, and athletic body.

That’s why we integrate:

• Speed training for 10–60 yard sprints
• Agility and lateral movement drills
• Explosive medicine ball throws and jump training

This improves movement efficiency, boosts on-field athleticism, and supports long-term development.

Final Thoughts

Durability isn’t built in-season—it’s earned in the off-season.

The pitchers who stay healthy are the ones who treat this time seriously, fix imbalances, train smart, and recover even smarter.

If you’re ready to build a more durable, high-performing pitcher this off-season, let’s get to work.

Jordan@utahrotationalathletetraining.com

Developing High Performing Pitcher: A Guide for Coaches and Players

**Developing High-Performing Pitchers: A Guide for Coaches and Players**

This blog post is the intro from the manual of developing high performing players.  If you are interested in learning more email us at jordan@utahrotationalathletetraining.com

This manual is designed to empower both players and coaches to become their own best instructors. It focuses on understanding the application of technology and day-to-day pitching management at the individual and team levels. While it doesn't offer a comprehensive guide, it provides a strong foundation for building knowledge, refining skills, and adapting to the evolving nature of baseball. The manual encourages continuous growth and personal development, allowing players and coaches to shape their own philosophies and core values regarding pitching development.

**The Role of the Coach and Player**

Think of a coach as a carpenter. A hammer in the hands of a skilled carpenter can build strong, impressive structures, while the same tool in the hands of an untrained person can cause harm or create something unstable. Similarly, it’s the coach’s job to guide players in mastering their own process, creating a solid foundation that will last throughout their careers. This involves providing support and teaching players to be independent and self-reliant in their development.

**Core Values and Purpose**

- **Professional Baseball:** The goal is to develop healthy, high-performing pitchers capable of making an impact at the MLB level. This includes preparing them to be valuable assets both internally and through trade.

  

- **Collegiate/Amateur:** At this level, the focus is on helping pitchers become leaders in their league—leading in innings pitched, strikeouts, and maintaining control over walks.

The overall purpose is to create a dynamic framework that allows pitchers to coach themselves by learning through trial and error. This teaches athletes to make logical decisions and adjustments based on experience and evidence. Coaches also need to evolve, understanding the individual needs of each player and being willing to change when data and experience call for it. The coach’s ego should be tied to the player's performance and not to preconceived notions or rigid methods.

**The Four Legs of Pitching Performance**

Pitching performance can be thought of as a table supported by four key legs. If any one of these legs is weak or unbalanced, it affects the stability of the entire table—just as uneven performance affects the overall game. These four critical areas are:

1. **Biomechanics and Movement:** Proper movement patterns are the foundation for a pitcher’s effectiveness and longevity.

  

2. **Strength, Conditioning, and Medical Care:** Physical preparation, injury prevention, and recovery are essential for peak performance.

  

3. **Strategies and Tactics (In-Game Management):** The ability to make smart decisions during a game and adapt to various situations.

  

4. **Mental, Emotional, and Daily Preparation:** Developing the mental toughness and emotional control necessary for consistent performance.

No single leg is more important than the others. For example, it’s not enough to have a healthy pitcher if they lack the strength or mental preparation to perform. Likewise, high-performing players won’t be effective if they suffer from physical or mental challenges. This highlights the importance of collaboration between departments (coaching, medical, strength training, etc.) to ensure a holistic approach to player development. Effective communication across all areas is essential for the success of the individual and the organization.

In summary, this manual provides a dynamic foundation for the development of pitchers at all levels. By focusing on the four key elements of pitching performance and encouraging both player and coach development, the goal is to create athletes who can continually adapt, grow, and excel throughout their careers.

If you are interested in learning to become a high performing pitcher email us at jordan@utahrotationalathletetraining.com and let's create a plan to accomplish your goals together. 

Rethinking Athlete Development: Why Comparing to Yourself is Better than MLB Numbers for Youth Athletes

Rethinking Athlete Development: Why Comparing to Yourself is Better than MLB Numbers for Youth Athletes

When it comes to evaluating the development of youth athletes, especially in sports like baseball, there’s a common mistake many coaches and parents make: comparing young players to Major League Baseball (MLB) statistics or professional performance. While it’s natural to look up to the pros and use their numbers as benchmarks, this approach isn’t always effective for developing young talent.

Instead of relying on MLB-level stats to evaluate progress, a much more effective and realistic method is to focus on individual growth. Here’s why you should start comparing athletes to themselves, month to month and year to year, rather than holding them up to professional standards too early in their development.

The Issue with Using MLB Numbers

MLB statistics are impressive, but they’re not a realistic or fair standard for youth athletes. These numbers represent the peak of physical and mental development, honed over years of training, experience, and competition. A 10-year-old or even a high school athlete is nowhere near the level of a professional player, both in terms of skill and physical maturity.

When young athletes are evaluated based on the standards of pros, they’re often compared to an unattainable benchmark, which can lead to frustration, discouragement, and misjudgments of their true potential. The real focus for youth athletes should be on consistent, incremental progress.

I have a video posted on YouTube going more in depth on this as well.  Here is the link:

 https://youtu.be/URopVU7O_hs?si=ctjZCjaIhGRAqfNu

Why Compare to Yourself?

A better way to track development is by comparing an athlete’s current performance to their past performance. This self-referential approach allows for a more accurate and constructive evaluation of growth. By focusing on how much an athlete improves from month to month or year to year, coaches and parents can foster a growth mindset that emphasizes hard work, resilience, and personal development.

Key Benefits of Self-Comparison:

1. Focus on Improvement, Not Perfection: By comparing an athlete to themselves, you encourage progress rather than perfection. The goal becomes continual improvement, which is much more realistic and motivating.
2. Customized Development: Every athlete develops at their own pace, with different strengths and weaknesses. A personalized approach that focuses on the athlete’s individual journey allows for better-targeted coaching and support.
3. Long-Term Growth: If you track an athlete’s performance over time, you can identify trends and areas for growth. This allows you to adjust their training to address specific weaknesses and continue fostering their overall development.
4. Increased Confidence and Motivation: Constantly comparing yourself to a professional athlete can be discouraging for a young player. However, seeing their own progress from month to month or year to year can boost their confidence and keep them motivated, knowing they are getting better with each practice.
5. Mental Health Benefits: Focusing on self-improvement rather than external benchmarks can reduce the pressure young athletes feel. This can help them enjoy the game more, build confidence, and avoid burnout.

How to Implement This Approach

1. Set Individual Goals: Instead of measuring an athlete’s performance based on professional standards, set goals that are specific to the athlete’s current stage of development. These could be skills-based (like improving hitting mechanics or fielding technique) or physical (such as increasing strength or speed).
2. Track Progress: Keep a log of performances, milestones, and challenges. Use metrics that are appropriate for the athlete’s age and skill level—things like speed, agility, consistency in technique, or personal bests. Revisit these periodically to see how the athlete has improved.
3. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognizing even small improvements keeps athletes motivated. Whether it's a better swing, a faster sprint, or a more accurate throw, celebrate these milestones.
4. Regular Feedback: Offer constructive feedback based on the athlete’s individual growth rather than professional standards. Point out areas where they’ve improved, and provide actionable steps for continuing to progress.

Conclusion

When it comes to youth athletic development, the best person to compare your athlete to is… themselves. Rather than setting unrealistic expectations based on MLB numbers, focus on their progress, celebrate their individual milestones, and tailor their development process to fit their unique growth. By doing so, you’ll not only help them improve as athletes but also nurture their love for the game, build their confidence, and set them up for long-term success.