When 94 Is Average: Why Youth Pitchers Are Chasing a Dangerous Standard
Throwing 94 mph used to be elite. Now it’s just average in Major League Baseball. In this Sore to Soaring Podcast episode, Coach Leo Young and Dr. Jason Zaremski (UF Health Sports Medicine) explain how rising velocity expectations at the pro level are pressuring youth players to throw harder earlier—without the structure or maturity to handle the risk. When 94 Is Average: Why Youth Pitchers Are Chasing a Dangerous Standard There was a time when hitting 94 mph made you elite. Today, that’s the average. The rise of velocity at the MLB level is pushing expectations downward into youth baseball—and young players are paying the price trying to keep up. Coach Leo Young and Dr. Jason Zaremski, MD, unpack what this cultural shift really means for kids who throw and train without pro-level support.
INJURY PREVENTION & PERFORMANCE BUILDING STRONGER ATHLETES
Coach Leo Young
6/24/20252 min read
The Velocity Bar Has Moved—and It’s Still Rising
In the last 20 years, MLB fastball velocity has risen from an average of 91 to 94 mph. That three mph jump doesn’t sound like much—until you’re in the batter’s box.
“I was a catcher,” Coach Leo says. “At 91, you can track it. At 94–95, the ball starts to disappear.”
According to MLB’s own tracking:
One in three pitchers now throws 95 mph or more
The number of pitchers throwing 98+ mph has tripled
94 isn’t special anymore—it’s just the new baseline
Do youth pitchers feel pressure to throw harder just to keep up? What’s driving it—coaches, parents, or culture? Drop your answer in the video comments.
The Pressure Is Trickling Down
If the pros are averaging 94, what happens at the high school level? At 14U? 12U?
Players, parents, and coaches start pushing to “keep up.” Kids chase velocity numbers that match pro expectations without pro-level structure, strength, or maturity.
It’s not just about throwing hard—it’s about throwing hard too soon.
“Youth baseball is mimicking the outputs of the big leagues,” Dr. Z says, “without mimicking the systems that protect those arms.”
Why That Chase Leads to Breakdowns
Velocity training isn’t the enemy. But chasing MLB numbers in a high school body—or younger—is where things go sideways.
Too much volume. Not enough recovery. Mechanics sacrificed for radar gun numbers. And a false belief that the faster you throw, the more likely you’ll get recruited.
Meanwhile, real development—mobility, strength, command—gets neglected.
Key Takeaways for Parents and Coaches
✅ 94 mph is now average in MLB—and youth players feel the pressure to match
✅ What used to be elite is now expected
✅ Most youth systems don’t support the demands that come with higher velocity
✅ Chasing speed without structure increases injury risk
✅ Long-term development should outweigh short-term radar readings
How Sore to Soaring Counters the Culture of Panic
At Sore to Soaring, we train pitchers for the long haul.
We don’t just help kids throw harder—we teach them when, how, and why to increase velocity safely. Our athletes are taught to build the foundation first—then stack speed on top of strength, mechanics, and recovery.
Because if 94 is the new average, we’d rather build pitchers who can stay healthy long enough to get there—and stay there.
Support our work at: www.SoreToSoaring.org
Disclaimer
The views shared in this article are for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement by Lupos Initiative Inc., DBA Sore to Soaring. Always consult a qualified professional before implementing any training, recovery, or medical plan. No affiliation or compensation exists between Sore to Soaring and any for-profit entity mentioned.
To learn more about Dr. Jason Zaremski and UF Health Sports Medicine, visit:
https://ufhealth.org
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#SmartTraining #PitchingHealth #MLBVelocity #ArmCare
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