MLB focus on velocity having disastrous results on pitchers

There is no question that speed is king in Major League Baseball. These days, few pitchers are considered viable MLB prospects unless they are lighting up the radar guns. With few individual exceptions, teams focus on finding as many hard throwers as possible, hoping to teach the other points of the game as need be.

But that focus on velocity takes a toll on those arms as well. As a case in point, 13 of the 22 pitchers selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft have undergone Tommy John surgery at least once in their careers.

MLB focus on velocity impacting pitching at every level

These procedures are not just happening after the players are drafted and teams look to add a few extra miles per hour to the fastball. Cal Quantrill and Jordan Sheffield both went under the knife before they were drafted, while Anthony Kay had the procedure shortly thereafter.

It truly is not a surprise. These days, pitchers are not considered prospects unless they can reach the mid 90s in college, or come close to the lower 90s in high school. Pitchability and command can be taught, just as long as that radar gun has a 9 as the first digit.

But that focus on velocity has a toll that eventually needs to be paid. Arms are not meant to throw that hard for expended periods of time, nor are they capable to sustaining that velocity at such a young age. Nonetheless, high school pitchers are having to go under the knife, going through Tommy John surgery in that quest to be scouted, either by MLB teams or colleges.

These days, Tommy John surgery is almost a rite of passage. Teams seemingly hold their breath until that procedure happens, then expect that the elbow will be healthy for another decade. And yet, those teams will continue to chase the readings on the radar gun and hope for the best while waiting for their prized prospects to be injured.

Velocity is king in Major League Baseball, but that comes with a price. An astonishing 13 of the 22 pitchers taken in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft have had Tommy John surgery.