Major League Tryouts—Hurling Towards Stardom: Major League Tryout day for Pitchers

So you want to toe a rubber in The Show? There are a number of ways to break into pro ball--both in North America AND overseas. A major league tryout is one event that might provide the exposure to grant you a shot. But before showing up, it’s a good idea to find out what you’re in for. Knowing what to expect once a major league tryout begins can only help you to be at your absolute best when it's time to show what you can do.

As a pitcher at a major league tryout, you might be forced to wait around a while before your time in the spotlight. It all depends on how well the event is planned. Ideally, pitchers should go to the bullpen directly after the other players run the 60 yard dash. But if there are only a couple of scouts running the show, pitchers won’t so much as touch a ball until all position player evaluations have been completed in the field. This can spell a long morning boiling under the hot sun.

When the pitchers finally do go to work at a major league tryout, the scout shouts out an order by registration number. The first few pitchers are given ample time to warm up on the bullpen mounds before the radar gun comes out. The other guys warm up off to the side so they’re ready to throw for the scout soon after they’re called to the hill.

Up to six pitchers can throw at the same time at a major league tryout if the venue is a spring training complex. The scout registers velocity from each pitcher as he roams behind the catchers. He’ll also watch each hurler snap off a few breaking balls as well as any additional pitches he may carry in his repertoire. A scout will typically watch around 15 pitches from each hopeful before moving on to the next.

Scouts pay attention to velocity first and foremost, regardless of what you may have heard to the contrary. For right-handers, a consistent speed of 88 MPH and above at a major league tryout may warrant some additional consideration. Lefties aren’t held to the same standard and can get away with a little less mustard. This does not mean you won’t play pro ball if you can’t throw that hard; scouts actually do look for other characteristics. But while other facets of pitching are teachable, raw heat is a gift. Velocity IS important.

Movement is next on the major league tryout checklist. The amount of movement on a fastball will, in most cases, determine success on the mound more than simple velocity. It’s harder for a batter to make consistent, solid contact with a fastball that moves, than a faster pitch that remains flat. If a fastball moves, it will either run or sink. When a fastball has run, it moves slightly to the throwing side. So when a righty throws a fastball that runs, it will move to the right as it approaches the hitting zone.

Regardless of the type of breaking ball a pitcher features at a major league tryout, the scout will closely monitor how sharply the ball breaks as it nears the plate. That’s the key to getting outs with the curveball and slider at the next level. As far as the other pitches, the two most prominent are the change-up and the split-fingered pitch. A good change-piece will register 10 + MPH slower than the heater, often with a little movement. A good splitty drops as it arrives at the hitting zone. For either pitch, arm speed should remain identical to the fastball.

Aside from your pitches, a scout will also assess your mechanics and arm action at a major league tryout. In simple terms, a scout wants to see a smooth, consistent delivery on each type of pitch. The pitcher should be able to generate velocity without appearing to exert a whole lot of effort. This helps the scout appraise injury risk.

After all the pitchers have shown their stuff at a major league tryout, the scouts analyze the information they’ve gathered and decide which pitchers will stay and throw live to batters. The scouts then stand behind a home plate cage as each pitcher throws around 25 pitches from the game mound. A live scrimmage takes place at some major league tryouts, in which case each guy throws one or two innings. Live work goes fairly quickly because there are relatively few players left. After live work, the head scout gathers everyone together and thanks them for coming out. At this point, the workout is over.

As a player that hopes to make it to the big leagues, there are numerous avenues you can explore to get it done. Opportunities exist—both inside and outside the realm of MLB—throughout the entire world. (Learn exactly how to get paid to play baseball here!). That said, knowing what to expect before taking the mound at a major league tryout is a great benefit for any pitcher that hopes to live the dream!