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College Baseball Pitching Averages and How to Reach Them

College Baseball Pitching Averages and How to Reach Them

June 07, 2023

College baseball has become increasingly competitive, and aspiring pitchers must strive to reach those elite levels to secure their dream spot on a college team. One key aspect that can make a significant difference in a pitcher's development is harnessing the power of data and understanding how to apply it to their pitching mechanics. 

We'll dive into the data averages of college pitchers and explore how athletes can leverage Rapsodo technology to analyze, refine, and elevate their performance to reach the elite level required for college baseball and beyond.

College Pitching Averages

Have you ever wanted to know where your pitches stack up against the most elite pitchers in the game?

We have collected data from MILLIONS of pitches on our Rapsodo products and developed a pitch velocity by age data guide. Let's take a look at the averages for college pitchers.

These averages are from Rapsodo sessions across various divisions of college baseball players from JUCO to D1. The objective of sharing these college averages is to help athletes with setting goals and baselines. 

SPEED

Pitch (RHP)
Speed (MPH)
Pitch (LHP)
 Speed (MPH)
4-Seam Fastball
85 MPH
4-Seam Fastball
83 MPH
Cutter
79 MPH
Cutter
79 MPH
Curveball
73 MPH
Curveball
72 MPH
Slider
76 MPH
Slider
75 MPH
2-Seam Fastball
84 MPH
2-Seam Fastball
82 MPH
Changeup
78 MPH
Changeup
77 MPH
Splitter
77 MPH
Splitter
75 MPH
Knuckleball
68 MPH
Knuckleball
70 MPH

 

SPIN RATE

Pitch (RHP) Spin Rate (RPM) Pitch (LHP)  Spin Rate (RPM)
4-Seam Fastball 2055 RPM
4-Seam Fastball
2005 RPM
Cutter 2073 RPM
Cutter
1988 RPM
Curveball 2056 RPM
Curveball
1995 RPM
Slider 2086 RPM
Slider
2036 RPM
2-Seam Fastball 1983 RPM
2-Seam Fastball
1933 RPM
Changeup 1167 RPM
Changeup
1629 RPM
Splitter 1221 RPM
Splitter
1295 RPM
Knuckleball 795 RPM
Knuckleball
989 RPM

 

 SPIN EFFICIENCY

Pitch (RHP) Efficiency Pitch (LHP) Efficiency
4-Seam Fastball 91%
4-Seam Fastball
88%
Cutter 56%
Cutter
56%
Curveball 55% Curveball 55%
Slider 42%
Slider
43%
2-Seam Fastball 90%
2-Seam Fastball
87%
Changeup 89%
Changeup
87%
Splitter 83%
Splitter
82%
Knuckleball 73%
Knuckleball
70%

 

HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL BREAK

Pitch (RHP) H | V Break (In.)
Pitch (LHP) H | V Break (In.)
4-Seam Fastball 8.1" | 15.9"
4-Seam Fastball
-7.3" | 16.0"
Cutter 1.8" | 9.8"
Cutter
-0.9" | 9.8"
Curveball -2.7" | -0.9" Curveball 3.1" | -0.1"
Slider -1.4" | 4.1"
Slider
1.4" | 4.4"
2-Seam Fastball 8.4" | 13.4"
2-Seam Fastball
-7.6" | 14.4"
Changeup 8.8" | 11.4"
Changeup
-8.4" | 11.8"
Splitter 5.4" | 8.3"
Splitter
-4.5" | 8.4"
Knuckleball 2.8" | 4.5"
Knuckleball
-1.6" | 5.1"

 

Download our guide to see the averages for players from 10 years old to professional. 

5 Ways to Reach Elite College Pitching Level

1. Understanding College Pitching Data Averages: To excel at the college level, it's essential for pitchers to understand the data averages that represent high-performing collegiate pitchers. These averages serve as a baseline and provide valuable insights into what coaches and scouts are looking for in terms of pitch metrics such as velocity, spin rates, and movement. By examining and comparing data averages, pitchers can set goals and work towards reaching and surpassing those benchmarks.

2. The Power of Rapsodo in Data Analysis: Rapsodo technology provides pitchers with access to a wealth of data and insights that can revolutionize their training and performance. By integrating Rapsodo into their training routines, pitchers can capture data on pitch velocity, spin rate, release point, spin axis, and more. Rapsodo's advanced analytics software processes this data, allowing athletes and coaches to gain a deep understanding of their pitches' effectiveness and areas for improvement.

3. Optimizing Pitch Repertoire and Mechanics: Rapsodo enables pitchers to fine-tune their pitch repertoire and mechanics by providing objective and quantifiable feedback. Pitchers can use Rapsodo data to analyze the effectiveness of different pitches, how hard to grip the ball, refine their pitch selection, and optimize movement and spin rates. By identifying the pitches that yield the best results based on the data, pitchers can develop a well-rounded pitch arsenal that keeps batters off balance and maximizes their chances of success at the college level.

4. Enhancing Pitching Command and Location: College coaches highly value pitchers with exceptional command and precise location. Rapsodo helps pitchers in improving their command by offering insights into release point consistency and pitch movement. By analyzing Rapsodo data, pitchers can identify any inconsistencies or inefficiencies in their mechanics and make the necessary adjustments to achieve better command and location. This attention to detail and data-driven approach can make a significant difference in a pitcher's effectiveness on the mound.

5. Leveraging Rapsodo for Player Development and Exposure: In addition to personal development, utilizing Rapsodo technology can enhance a pitcher's exposure to college coaches and scouts. By showcasing the tangible data and metrics gathered through Rapsodo, pitchers can effectively demonstrate their capabilities and potential to college recruiters. The ability to provide objective data on pitch performance adds credibility and provides a competitive advantage during the recruiting process. (To learn more about how to get noticed by college scouts, read our blog post.)



Reaching the elite level of playing college baseball requires dedication, hard work, and a data-driven approach. Rapsodo technology offers pitchers a powerful tool to analyze and optimize their performance, providing invaluable insights into pitch metrics and mechanics.

By leveraging Rapsodo, pitchers can bridge the gap between their current skill level and the data averages of successful college pitchers. The combination of talent, dedication, and the data-driven advantages provided by Rapsodo can propel pitchers to the elite level required for college baseball, increasing their chances of securing a spot on a college team and realizing their dreams on the field.

Interested in learning more about adding Rapsodo to your player development program? Get in touch with one of our experts!

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