Pitching Without a Blueprint:

What happens when an athlete performs at a high level—but without a roadmap?

I sat down with Brannon Sneed, former college pitcher and one of the most decorated high school pitchers to come out of Lincoln High School in Tallahassee. Brannon’s story is a perfect example of what happens when natural talent and work ethic aren’t matched with specialized coaching and structured development.

It’s a cautionary tale that every coach, parent, and young athlete needs to hear.

Have you ever had an arm injury? If so, was it brought on by poor coaching or just a freak thing? Drop your response in the comments section of the video, we'd love to hear your story.

Success Doesn’t Always Mean Safe Development

Brannon still holds records at Lincoln High—all-time winningest pitcher, career strikeouts, and single-season strikeouts. On the surface, it looks like a model success story. But behind the stats was a missing piece: true pitching instruction.

While Brannon had great coaches who supported him and helped him succeed overall, none were pitching specialists. That meant his mechanics, workload, and recovery were self-managed—like many athletes still experience today.

And the result? Tommy John surgery.

“Our Bodies Weren’t Meant to Throw Like This”

Brannon puts it plainly: “What we do in pitching—throwing at this velocity from this position—is not natural.”

He’s absolutely right. The human arm isn’t built to sustain the rotational force and torque required for high-velocity pitching over time. And without proper coaching to refine mechanics, manage rest cycles, and monitor physical warning signs, injury becomes inevitable.

His elbow scar is the reminder.

Injuries Are Symptoms of a Broken System

Brannon’s story is not unique. In fact, it’s the norm. Across youth baseball today, injuries are increasing at younger ages, and Tommy John surgery has become disturbingly common—even among teenagers.

That’s not a coincidence—it’s a reflection of a system that:

• Lacks specialized coaching

• Doesn’t prioritize recovery and mechanics

• Relies too heavily on volume and exposure

Coaches often mean well, but without the training or tools to teach proper pitching development, they can’t intervene early enough to prevent these outcomes.

Why We Must Build Better Systems

At Sore to Soaring, we believe injury prevention isn’t a luxury—it’s a responsibility. That’s why our mission includes pitching-specific recovery systems, mentorship programs, and educational resources for coaches, so young athletes aren’t left guessing.

Our goal is simple: Protect the arm, extend the career, and develop the whole athlete—not just the stat line.

This isn’t just about Brannon’s story—it’s about building a new standard.

Key Takeaways

• Natural talent without structure can still lead to injury

• Pitchers need more than reps—they need mechanics, recovery plans, and mentorship

• Injury prevention must be baked into coaching, not just added later

• A scar is often the result of what we didn’t teach early enough

• We must equip coaches and athletes with systems that keep them healthy for the long game

Watch the full podcast episode:

https://youtu.be/MR4_0ZXtL0M

Support our mission:

We’re building programs that help young athletes grow on and off the field.
Learn more or support the mission at:

www.soartosoaring.org

Disclaimer:

The views shared are those of the guest and do not represent an endorsement by Lupos Initiative Inc., DBA Sore to Soaring. This content is for informational purposes only and not medical or training advice. Always consult a qualified professional before starting any exercise or throwing program. No affiliation or compensation exists between Sore to Soaring and any for-profit entity mentioned

If you wish to learn more about Brannon Snead’s work: peterboulwaretoyota.com.