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| 2,491 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
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General  | Blog | 2/14/2024

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 35

A Vital Message for Those Struggling to Boost Velocity

One of the most frequent queries we receive at the Texas Baseball Ranch® revolves around a familiar theme:
"Coach Wolforth, my son has dedicated immense effort to enhancing his velocity. He's noticeably bulkier and stronger compared to a year ago. He diligently practices long toss, we invested in a set of weighted balls, followed the prescribed regimen, or he even completed a six-week velocity enhancement program nearby. Despite all this, he just can't seem to make the velocity gains promised to him. Not only did he fall short of the 4-7 mph increase pledged, but his progress has been minimal, and his arm health has deteriorated since starting the program. He's incredibly frustrated and disheartened. We've heard about the Texas Baseball Ranch's reputation for boosting velocity while improving arm health and resilience. Can you offer guidance or point us in the right direction? We're at our wit's end and desperately need advice. Please help. Thank you."

Here's my response:

Let's start with a reminder of something you're likely aware of but may not have fully considered. Human beings are incredibly unique and complex individuals. Athletes don't neatly fit into one-size-fits-all programs or processes. Each athlete is distinct and has their own characteristics. 



Humans don't adhere perfectly to a 'recipe'—each person reacts uniquely to the same stimuli. While not every reaction is vastly different, it's common for responses to vary slightly. So, it's natural for one athlete to respond differently to the same stimuli compared to their teammate.

Why does this happen?  There could be countless reasons.  Here are just seven examples:

• Varying levels of preparedness and readiness for specific stimuli.
• Differences in mechanical efficiency.
• Diverse mindsets, mental approaches, and beliefs in the process.
• Variances in skill-specific strength and stability at extreme ranges of movement.
• Differences in mobility, flexibility, and adaptability.
• Varied physical structures, alignments, and strength balances.
• Diverse levels of effort, energy, and intention.

Considering these factors, it's actually more surprising when two people react identically to a stimulus.
Now, let's explore a fresh perspective that could significantly aid your velocity enhancement journey. While oversimplified, the following equation provides a more comprehensive view of velocity enhancement and how to adjust your program when results are unsatisfactory:

Velocity Gains = 

Mindset/Belief System + Intention + Current Status of Preparation for Maximum Effort + Skill Specific Mobility + Skill Specific Strength + Physical Mass/Size/Lengths of Levers + Motor Control/Coordination/Neuromuscular Efficiency + Utilization/Synergy of Entire Body for Optimum Summation of Force 

Minus - Mechanical Inefficiencies - Pain/Physical Discomfort - Physical Constraints - Interference or Confusion - The Debilitating Influence of Others.

When introducing a velocity enhancement program like extended long toss or a weighted ball regimen, results can vary widely:

• Some athletes may not be physically prepared for the intensity and could experience soreness or injury.
• Others may see no improvements at all.
• Some may excel and make significant progress.

It's common for coaches, even at the college and professional levels, to seek my opinion on velocity enhancement programs. Unless a program raises clear red flags (and some do), I usually respond:

"The program seems solid, but the crucial question always is: How well does it fit each of your athletes right now?"

Let me offer an analogy outside of baseball for a moment. 

Suppose I have a method for teaching Algebra I concepts. After determining its soundness, the vital question becomes: How suitable is this method for each of our current math students?

• For a student struggling with basic math, the process may be far too advanced, leading to further struggles.
• Conversely, for a student well-versed in advanced math concepts like derivatives and functions, the process may be redundant.

In essence, while the process matters, its effectiveness primarily depends on how well it aligns with the needs and capabilities of each individual. This crucial aspect is often overlooked because we live in a one-size-fits-all world.

Success isn't solely determined by the efficacy of a program but also by its compatibility with the athletes using it. This is where many athletes experience frustration, disappointment and disillusionment—the program simply isn't the right fit.

And here's where it gets complex:

• A program that isn't a good fit today might be suitable later.
• Conversely, what works well today might not be effective in the future.

As athletes progress, factors like periodization, arm health, readiness, and changes in physical or emotional state can dictate the appropriate course of action.

So, if your velocity enhancement program yielded unsatisfactory results, consider these twelve variables:

• Mindset/Belief System
• Intention
• Current Status of Preparation for Maximum Effort
• Skill Specific Mobility
• Skill Specific Strength
• Motor Control/Coordination/Neuromuscular Efficiency
• Utilization/Synergy of Entire Body for Optimum Summation of Force
• Pain/Physical Discomfort
• Mechanical Inefficiencies
• Physical Constraints
• Interference or Confusion
• The Debilitating Influence of Others

Bottom line:  Almost any exceptional skill development process is grounded in and directed by customization and hyper-personalization. Yet, that is why so few programs are highly effective. One size fits all programing, by definition, rarely if ever will create extraordinary individual results. If one has disappointing results with a velocity program, it very well maybe the program itself but it also may be a solid program and for whatever reason is not currently the right fit for you.  

Until Next Time,
Coach Wolforth

Coach Wolforth is the founder of the Texas Baseball Ranch® and has written six books on pitching including the Amazon Best Seller, Pitching with Confidence. Since 2003, The Texas Baseball Ranch® has had over 579 pitchers break the 90 mph barrier, 208 have toped 94mph or better, and 135 of his students have been drafted in the MLB’s June Amateur Draft. Coach Wolforth has consulted with 13 MLB teams, dozens of NCAA programs and has been referred to as “ America’s Go-to-Guy on Pitching” and “The Pitching Coaches Pitching Coach.” Coach Wolforth lives in Montgomery, TX with his wife, Jill. They are intimately familiar with youth select, travel baseball and PG events as their son Garrett (now a professional catcher) went through the process. Garrett still holds the PG Underclass All American Games record for catcher velocity at 89 mph which he set in 2014 at the age of 16.

- - - - - - - - -

Summer Events at the Texas Baseball Ranch®

Join our 3-Day “Elite Pitcher’s Boot Camps”, designed for pitchers aged 12 and above. We’re
hosting seven unique camps this summer between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. For additional details, visit: https://www.texasbaseballranch.com/elite-pitchers-bootcamp/

Interested in learning what sets our boot camps apart? Request our comprehensive information package by emailing Jill@TexasBaseballRanch.com.
 

General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66

Ron Wolforth
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  The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217   USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money.   They cannot find enough healthy pitchers.   Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world.   That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself.   For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care.    Recruiters scout by it.    Social...
Tournaments | Story | 7/2/2026

Freedom Classic Opens Holiday Weekend

Alyssa Golden
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More than 30 teams from the 14U-18U age divisions will head to Fort Myers, Florida this Fourth of July weekend for the seventh annual Perfect Game Freedom Classic. The tournament, running July 3-6, features several nationally ranked prospects from across the country as teams look to compete for a championship. Headlining the field are twin brothers Derek and Ryan Yormark of Merrick, New York. Right-handed pitcher Derek Yormack is the No. 51-ranked player in the class of 2027, the No. 1 player in New York and the No. 5-ranked right-handed pitcher in the country. First baseman Ryan Yormark comes in just behind his twin brother as the No. 3 overall player in New York, the No. 5 first baseman in the nation and the No. 90-ranked player nationally. Both brothers are committed to Vanderbilt. Derek Yormark has established himself as one of the top two-way prospects in the 2027 class. He has run...
Tournaments | Story | 7/2/2026

14u West World Series Scout Notes

Quinton Hall
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Asher Contreras (2030 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter and outfielder was one of the most dangerous hitters in the tournament for Wow Factor Nv 2030, stuffing the stat sheet while displaying an impressive combination of power and speed. He finished the weekend with 9 hits, including two doubles and a home run, while driving in seven runs and scoring five more. He also swiped three bases and worked three walks, consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses while showing feel for the zone with just one strikeout all weekend. His ability to hit for extra bases while also creating offense on the bases made him one of the most impactful offensive performers at the event.    Braylen Silva (‘30 | NV) RBI 2B for GBG Vegas 14u Red. Direct path, quick trigger, & barrel feel. Solid 2-hole stick creating offense all day #14UWestWS...
High School | General | 7/1/2026

PG High School All-Americans

Tyler Russo
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High School Top 50: Final Update With the High School season all wrapped up, today we take a look at our First, Second and Third Team All-Americans from around the country. Below you'll find three teams with stats that seem otherworldly from players who'll likely hear their names called in the coming week's MLB Draft. Within the "Notable Stats" section you'll see the individual award winners as well. First Team All-American Pos.  Name Class School State Commitment Notable Stats C Cole Prosek 2026 Magnolia Heights MS Ole Miss .595 BA, 18 HR, 79 RBI 1B Will Adams 2026 Hoover AL LSU .489, 13 HR, 52 RBI IF James Tronstein 2026 Harvard-Westlake CA Vanderbilt .531, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 21 XBH IF Grady Emerson 2026 Fort Worth Christian TX Texas .508, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 34/35 SB, National POY IF Jacob Lombard 2026 Gulliver Schools FL Miami .477, 10 HR, 52 R, 42 H, 14 SB OF Martin Shelar 2026 Marist GA...
Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

16u Elite Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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16u Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2  ‘28 AJ Bonnette (TX) with 7 Ks thru 4 IP thus far, living 89-91 w/ heavy traits. Filling up all four quads & attacking hitters early in counts. Mixing a slurvy breaker & turning the CHG over well. @PG_Uncommitted #NatElite @Texas_PG pic.twitter.com/oz2XXoKHvt — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 30, 2026 Aj Bonnette (2028, Keller, Texas) showed out on both sides of the ball at the National Elite Championship, but really stood out on the mound Tuesday. He toed the rubber in round two of the playoffs, proceeding to toss six innings with eight punchouts and zero earned runs allowed. The 6-foot southpaw filled up all four quadrants of the strike zone, attacking hitters early and often with his fastball. The heater lived in the 88-91 mph range with heavy traits, often setting up his slurvy breaking ball. Bonnette showed good feel...
Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

Performance Baseball Rolls On

Kinley Kitchens
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Championship teams often reveal themselves when the game isn’t going their way. Performance Baseball 2028/Milwaukee Brewers Scout Team did exactly that. Trailing Florida Burn 2028 Scout through four innings, the Brewers refused to panic. Instead, they relied on timely hitting, consistent pitching, and an unselfish approach at the plate, rallying a five-run fifth inning before pulling away for a 9-5 victory to clinch their spot in the semifinals. The comeback was fueled by contributions throughout the lineup. Six different players drove in runs, including two RBIs each from Aiden Capobianco and Cameron Massey, while Matthew Heredia, Parker Weston, Ethan Smith, and Aj Bonnette each added an RBI of their own. On the mound, Derek Wenzel set the tone with 3.2 solid innings before Ethan Smith shut the door in relief, helping preserve the comeback victory. Although the Brewers have had a...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/1/2026

JK Select Hawaii Tackles 14u West WS

Emily Hicks
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JK Select Hawaii capped off an impressive tournament run by defeating GBG Vegas 14u Red14-4 in the championship game on Sunday at Goodyear Ballpark, claiming the 14u West World Series title. From the opening pitch, JK Select controlled the pace of the game. The offense jumped out early, scoring 6 runs in the 1st inning after timely hits from MVP Sean Shindo and Kade Manarpaac. The early lead gave the pitching staff confidence as they worked efficiently through the opposing lineup. “I've worked hard to get better at my game for the past few months; it means a lot that I did well and performed in a tournament like this” said Shindo. Starting pitcher Maddox Prones turned in a strong performance, allowing 3 runs while striking out 5 batters over 3 innings. The defense backed the effort with great plays in the middle infield, preventing GBG Vegas from building momentum....
Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

"Wow" Swings Catch Eyes at 16u Elite

Kinley Kitchens
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On the second day of the 2026 Perfect Game National Elite Championship, one swing turned heads across the ballpark. The next one brought everyone to a stop. With Wow Factor Nation 16U trailing midway through its matchup against Sandlot Scout Team 2028, Micheal O'Connor launched a solo home run to spark the offense. Just one batter later, Aaron Frink stepped into the box and sent another ball over the fence, delivering back-to-back home runs that quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the tournament’s opening days. Parents gathered along the nets, players from previous games stopped to watch, and college scouts turned their attention toward the action as the two towering swings energized the crowd and brought new life to the game. Although Wow Factor Nation ultimately lost 5-3 after a hard-fought performance, the back-to-back home runs served as a reminder of the...
Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

Stacked Runs the Table at 17u WWBA

Will Dembo
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Following a jam-packed week of entertainment at the 17u WWBA Championships, the top nationally ranked program, USA Prime 17u National/Detroit Tigers Scout Team, faced off against Stacked Baseball 17u (No. 80 nationally) in the highly anticipated championship matchup as both teams looked to earn one of the most prestigious titles in all of travel baseball. Each talented squad entered the finale undefeated, but Stacked Baseball continued their dominance throughout the tournament, defeating the Detroit Tigers Scout Team 10-2 in mercy rule fashion to become national champions behind explosive bats and impressive pitching. Stacked Baseball was the overwhelming top team throughout the week as the WWBA Champions outscored opponents by an absurd 117-12 during their 11-0 run. “We got some talented kids, but we played against a little bit of Goliath over there,” Stacked Head Coach Mike...
Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 7

Perfect Game Staff
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17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4  Day 5 | Day 6 Shea Corona (2027, Brooklyn, N.Y.) showcased some loud stuff out of the bullpen for MLB Breakthrough Series 2027. The New York native and primary shortstop topped out at 93 with the fastball, sitting comfortable in the 90-92 range. Corona paired it with a sharp and tight slider at 81-83, staying on the same plane until late. The pitch plays well already and the delivery is very athletic. The uncommitted right-hander went three scoreless and was in the zone plenty, striking out two while not allowing a walk. '27 SS Moises Gudino (FL) continues to stay red hot, working a long AB & cracking an oppo 2B on the 8th pitch. Really seeing ing well. #WWBA @Florida_PG https://t.co/OjNJ8Bmzao pic.twitter.com/WoDDp35EI1 — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 30, 2026 Moises Gudino (2027, Tampa, Fla.)...
Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

Texas Twelve Firing On Full Cylinders

Kinley Kitchens
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Every team hopes to start a tournament with momentum, but few make a statement quite like Texas Twelve Maroon 2028. Matched up against defending champion Excel Blue Wave National to kick off their debut in the 2026 Perfect Game National Elite Championship, Texas Twelve Maroon delivered a complete team performance, earning a hard-fought 3-2 victory and immediately establishing themselves as one of the top teams to watch this week. The win showcased the balance that has made Texas Twelve Maroon a powerful team. Strong pitching, timely hitting, and steady defense all played a role as the team held off one of the tournament’s premier programs. Right-hander Ty Antley turned in an outstanding performance on the mound, throwing a complete game while allowing only five hits and two walks over seven innings. The High Follow prospect worked consistently between 85-89 mph and mixed in a sharp...
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