Why the Closer Mentality Is Hurting Your High School Pitcher
Today’s youth pitchers are throwing max effort on every pitch—because they’re copying the pros. In this Sore to Soaring Podcast episode, Coach Leo Young and Dr. Jason Zaremski (UF Health Sports Medicine) break down how the MLB’s “closer mentality” is bleeding into high school baseball, where 14–17-year-olds are being taught to pitch like they’re in the 9th inning of a playoff game—and it’s wrecking arms, mechanics, and long-term development. Why the Closer Mentality Is Hurting Your High School Pitcher The modern pitching mentality at the MLB level is simple: throw every pitch as hard as you can, as long as you can, then get pulled. That works in the big leagues—where pitchers have pro recovery teams, strength coaches, biomechanics labs, and million-dollar support systems. But in high school? That mindset is breaking kids. Coach Leo Young and Dr. Jason Zaremski, MD, explain why pitching like a closer at 14 or 16 years old is a terrible idea—and what coaches and parents need to change now.
INJURY PREVENTION & PERFORMANCE BUILDING STRONGER ATHLETES
Coach Leo Young
7/28/20252 min read
The Problem: MLB Trends Don’t Belong in High School
In the big leagues, starters are now expected to throw 95+ on every pitch.
They're only going 5–6 innings max, and they're doing it with closer-style mechanics—aggressive, violent, and designed for short bursts.
But when high school pitchers try to emulate that without the body, control, or experience to handle it, they break down fast.
“Do you want your 14-year-old throwing 100% effort, 100% of the time, with most likely crappy mechanics?” Dr. Zarmeski asks.
That’s the real question.
Are you seeing youth pitchers trying to throw max effort every pitch? How is it affecting their mechanics—or their health? Drop your answer in the video comments.
High School Pitchers Don’t Have Pro-Level Tools
Let’s be clear:
– They don’t have access to round-the-clock recovery
– They don’t have daily mobility and strength training built into their schedule
– They don’t have in-game pitch tracking or biomechanical analysis
– And most of all—they don’t have mature bodies built to handle the torque of elite velocity
But they’re being pushed to mimic outputs without earning the foundation.
That leads to arm injuries, fatigue, loss of control, and broken confidence.
Velocity Without Mechanics = Disaster
Throwing hard is not evil. But throwing hard with poor mechanics is.
Most youth pitchers haven’t mastered basic movement patterns. They’re still figuring out balance, timing, posture, and sequencing.
And now they’re being asked to throw at their max effort—every single pitch.
The result?
– Mechanical breakdown
– Early fatigue
– Increased injury risk
– Lost command
– And usually, frustration when the radar gun doesn’t deliver what they hoped
What Coaches and Parents Need to Understand
MLB pitching trends are built for elite environments.
If you’re working with youth or high school pitchers, they need long-term development, not short-term radar gun readings.
Train the movement first. Train the athlete second. Train the velocity last.
Key Takeaways
✅ Max-effort pitching at every age level is a dangerous trend
✅ Youth pitchers should not copy MLB starters who throw like closers
✅ Mechanics must come before velocity
✅ High school pitchers need structure, not pressure
✅ Development must outlast hype
How Sore to Soaring Trains Pitchers to Last
At Sore to Soaring, we don’t train 14-year-olds to throw like closers.
We teach them how to move efficiently, recover intelligently, and build arm strength gradually—with mechanics that hold up over time.
Because we don’t just want our pitchers to shine in one season. We want them to thrive through high school, into college, and beyond.
Support our mission 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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#SoreToSoaring #PitchingDevelopment #InjuryPrevention
#BaseballMechanics #ArmCare #VelocityTraining
#SmartCoaching #HighSchoolBaseball #LongTermAthleteDevelopment
