Don't Throw A Changeup...Yet

[@Doyouknowwho]

Literally trying to learn a change up at 14 and this video pops up 😅 thanks Trevor

[@joefountaine5547]

It's all about that curve and fastball

[@lukemclaughlin6139]

I’m in my second year of college learning it

[@Caniper]

Change up is probably the deadliest pitch. Trevor just doesnt command his well or have success with it so hes bias. If you can master a change up you will have higher whiff rate and lots of weak ground balls to the pull side. Trevor Hoffman was an elite closer because he mastered the change up. To say its not effective is just pitching blasphemy

[@cameronmachado1774]

​@@Caniper tend to agree with trevor on this, but open to change my mind. What's the benefits of a changeup at the youth level if their velocity is 15-25 mph off their full potential?

[@Caniper]

@@cameronmachado1774 One of the biggest goals in pitching is to always confuse the hitter and keep him off balance. If at a youth age you can develop consistency of a great change up then it wont matter if you havent reached peak velocity yet. Youll always have another off speed that youve mastered to be an out pitch even when the velocity comes. Even if I throw 50mph consistently but all I ever throw is a fastball and curveball then pretty easy to sit on a pitch. If I throw a 40mph change up in there then more batter confusion. All about changing the batters timing and no better pitch to reset the velocity of your fastball then with a change up

[@mcsapper]

Nothing but support for you and your journey. You're the reason my son is learning to be a pitcher. He taught himself to throw your "gangster curve." Now he's with a pitching coach who fixed his fundamentals and his curve is gross. Thank you for being you

[@scottt725]

yeah. he's a real role model... great guy

[@mcsapper]

@@scottt725 you're right. Glad we agree.

[@JeffJacquesmd]

Excellent insights Trevor. I coach my son’s little league team and they are constantly asking me to teaching them breaking stuff. I remember clearly reading a book on pitching when I was 14 and that author being clear that the fastball was the key pitch off of which all other pitches play and that throwing breaking stuff too early harmed velo development and could lead to injury.

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Curveball won't harm velo development. He's saying change up will bc they don't have their fastball mechanic fundamentals down enough in order to make the change worthwhile. Old way of thinking is as u describe. No breaking balls at all until 14 or 15 if u go by the book. I played with and against guys like Justin Morneau, Adam Loewen, grienke, votto, Brett Lawrie, and tons more extremely talented players. We had guys throwing 95 at 16 years old and at national level there were nearly every pitcher on each provincial team (I'm from Canada) threw 80mph at 14 years old. If guys didn't have a breaking ball by that time they would get embarrassed badly with just a fastball no matter how fast it is. For me I'd start it at about 12 years old for a curveball. I don't think cutter is that effective at that young of an age bc there's no enough velo for it to move. Unless it's more of a cutter style slider then I'd get it.

[@chyguy9132]

Damn totally makes sense. Luckily my son is only 4 and can say I got my tips from a former cy young pitcher

[@RandomEvents_]

I'm 39 and haven't played baseball in 15 years. My wife just walked in the living room and asked WTF I'm doing. Video after video I'm practicing everything you're teaching so she watched me practice pitch 4 times before I noticed she was there and we both just paused, then started 😂 😂. Great tips and congrats on signing in Japan 🙏🤙🏼👊🏼

[@SCOOTERstreams]

Yesterday I was doing dry reps upstairs. My wife runs upstairs, finds me standing in the middle of the room and says " was that you jumping or something? It's really loud downstairs ". Me; " No, wasn't me. I'm just stretching "

[@thegoatfather9720]

My man your Content is very much appreciated 🙏! We need you back in baseball! Don't ever stop being you my man!

[@lou2056]

Can't get behind this... Pitching is all about location disrupting a hitter's timing. Fastball and changeup should be the first and second pitches you learn.

[@Lsthnbrd]

Change up is useless until you start throwing harder. All a change up does as a kid is let the hitter sit back on it longer. No kid who’s 10, 11, 12 is thinking they need to make a split second decision on whether to swing or not. Everything is slow

[@brett_boys]

Great advise. We start with the fastball, maybe by 10 add a circle change. 12/13 add a curve, then hopefully 14/15 we can get a 2 seam to start moving…..depend on velo.

[@stewartpidazzo3003]

Sounds like you need to change up the order of pitches you are asking these kids to learn. Lol pun intended

[@brett_boys]

@@stewartpidazzo3003 welp that’s how we do it. 2 of my 3 kids so far have been just fine. Once they are locating fastballs good, we learn circle change.

[@WatermeloGT]

If I throw more over the top, what should I develop instead of a slider. Should I still try to develop a cutter, or maybe a sinker instead? I currently throw a 4-seam, circle change, and a curve.

[@caseyguilliams4977]

My dad taught me two pitches a fastball and a circle change. Now you can throw a fastball several ways with different arm angles to get that baby to dance for you. Then you hit them with the same arm angle same motion and that changeup just falls out the bottom. Then when you get older you can learn a curveball. I made so many hitters look so silly with just 2 pitches for a long time.

[@CashMeerkat]

Change-up as the least effective pitch is one of the spiciest takes I’ve heard in a long time

[@insxrg3nt]

I learned fastball slider cutter curve change

[@chrismarston4266]

I learned a knuckle-curve when I was around 11 and that pitch really helped me develop a better change-up. I threw it like a fastball but it moved almost like a backwards change up as I got older with a little more run. I was able to base my change-up off how I threw that pitch.

[@LayzCamperr]

when i was 12 i threw a 2seam 4seam changeup slider curveball forkball palmball. it's really bad yea i was good with some of them but it really makes it hard to get better at a single pitch

[@chrismarston4266]

@@LayzCamperr definitely right about that. I ended up sticking with a two seam, four seam, and the knuckle curve when I was younger. I tried developing other pitches but at that age you can’t really work on individual shapes. Most of the time you’re throwing a very similar pitch with a different grip because they barely move. My change up for example sucked until I got to around 14/15. No 12 year old needs a 4 pitch mix. As long as you have two solid pitches you’ll do fine at that age, heck, even if you just have a well controlled fastball you’ll do fine.

[@lou2056]

​@@chrismarston4266 "backwards changeup" 😂😂😂

[@jbbeats2042]

That’s interesting I’ve never thought ab the changeup that way.

[@magnumcipher4971]

I developed fairly quickly. 5’-2” at 140 lbs by 11, with a mid 60’s 2 seam fastball. Had a well developed 2 seam curve by this point as well. I pitched a ton, eventually growing to 6’-4” at 225 lbs up to the age of 21 with no arm issues. Velocity peaked at 90-92 ish. I hung up the cleats in 2001 and haven’t had elbow issue to speak of since.

[@SaulGoodman569]

thanks trev

[@Sportsandasmr]

Ok thanks for the advice I have a knuckle curve slider/sweeper 4seam and a minor changeup I thought a changeup was just a slow fastball

[@ericolsen1678]

More GOAT stuff!

[@egm07sh]

this is the exact tips and shit i need to learn LFG

[@noreenshoop1473]

Never thought of a changeup like that

[@JohnJones-cg2xm]

The pros have incredible changeups. I guess they develope it later, but it's cool to see batters having so much trouble with it.

[@peterflight6756]

Tb, I love your training routine. The only thing I can't get is the throwing weighted balls. I believe if you pitch only, go area try it, but what if these kids/teens are playing a position every day? You can get hurt. Have some sake for me and good luck this year!

[@ryleemiller5]

I learned to throw a change up at 10 and curve at 11 and slider at 12. You should learn the change up early because like he said you can’t hurt your arm and it will hurt to slow down your arm so just get a good grip that slows down your pitch and throw it like a fastball and don’t slow your arm down

[@rafaelhernandez6952]

That’s crazy interesting usually coaches go change up first

[@ChairmanMeow1]

I love how analytical you are..perfect for Japan

[@hobinrood710]

My 10 year old son has small hands like his mom. So his fastball runs automatically a couple inches arm-side. So I gave him a cutter grip to run glove side and a slider to mess with everyone and he has been working on those all winter. He's super confident about them because I'm literally diving to catch that slider when he wants to throw a bullpen at the park. I played infield for 4 years as a kid and blew out my elbow learning to throw a changeup. Don't do it kids. Take your time and learn to execute time and time again.

[@gregwilson5571]

Your 10 year old has a nasty slide piece but you’re warning kids of the huge dangers of throwing a changeup? Come on man. If a coach has worked with a kid on fastball spin efficiency and taught them how to throw correctly, A CHANGEUP IS THROWN THE EXACT SAME AS THE FASTBALL. The only difference is the grip. Keep the EXACT same arm slot, arm speed etc and it will be more deceptive, let the grip do the work. The real danger is the poor coaching to begin with. Just a couple weeks ago I told a pitcher (and later his dad) on our 11u team if I saw him throw his slider again he wasn’t going to pitch for us anymore. And he knows we need him to pitch but I explained to him that there will never be a game more important to me than his health and well being. I’d rather forfeit than risk injuring a kid.

[@hobinrood710]

@@gregwilson5571 He doesn't throw over the top or even 3/4. He's a sidearm thrower. Sorry should have clarified. The only difference between his cutter and slider is his grip like you say. I was taught a circle change at a 3/4 release. The flick blew my arm out. Probably should have learned a curve instead.

[@elilindahl347]

I learned slider at 14 now my 2 seam slider are my go two pitches

[@MonkeyKingXiaoMin]

Trev you are such a good pitching coach i love you and can you sign with the Angels?

[@lilt504]

Thanks again.

[@matthewrodriguez2921]

I learned the Change up second and I’ve not pitched that well ever so I would have to agree but I throw a good sinker though

[@isaiahyarber1344]

Literally learned the change up first cuz “it wouldn’t damage my arm like a curve” yet I stopped pitching at 16 cuz my elbow… even long hard outfield throws bother me

[@kevinanderson967]

I could’ve used this advice in 1974 throwing against a house pretending to be Frank Tanana⚾️

[@lousassle9387]

The advice has changed immensely in the past 20 years. When I started playing no one would teach youngsters how to throw a curve or cutter because it was taught with a snap of the wrist and that's an easy road to tommy john surgery. Nowadays the natural arm motion is taught because it's key to maintaining natural movement which makes it harder to get injured with more workload. Coaches need to pay attention to advice like this!

[@MmoviesE]

The first pitch after the fast ball i learned was the change up…. Thats not the only reason i topped out at 86 but damn that sucks to hear that it could hinder velo development

[@ydog2114]

Fastball and Change-Up is all you need. I can't believe he didn't include The Change-Up as a child

[@Lsthnbrd]

Change up is a useless pitch until you start developing real velocity, like 16+. Guarantee you’re not fooling anyone throwing a 65 mph fastball and a 60 mph “change up”

[@the_desert_hobo6965]

Change up is ngl the hardest pitch to hit

[@erickh82082]

I learned the change up on my own as a kid. I was always an infielder and my arm is strong as hell.

[@trentondavis4752]

Bauer’s got it all wrong. 1. curveball 2. knuckleball 3. eephus

[@SwingCity-14]

That makes sense because I learned change up and I pitch slower 😅

[@JanoyCresva]

Waiting until you’re a senior to throw a changeup works if you throw 70mph in 6th grade lol.

[@sandaikitetu7936]

My rule is if you can’t throw a fast ball for a strike your not throwing a curveball. Fastball is always gonna be your foundation. Until 12 you just need to know 2 pitches. Inside fastball and outside fastball. If your painting the corners with your fastball the off speed you develop is gonna be a lot more effective.

[@calebnash21]

If throw all of those pitches really well besides the slurve and I’m 12

[@seancohen81]

When should you learn the knuckleball though?

[@colt45yk]

Braves need to sign you.

[@andreamincu9528]

Well man, i learned how to throw a slider AT almost 14 years old (in passing, because im scared that my brother can get injuried like today), and now that I see this video, i will try to focus on a curve ball, thx man

[@nathansands71]

What do you think of leo mazzone's curveball motion

[@franklynfrankth]

I just start playing baseball as pitcher at the age of 19, so wish me a luck cuz Imma grind

[@gman7281]

Hey can you do a video on pitching from the stretch?

[@ronondechek14]

That’s a great idea!

[@bukharibrown3139]

What makes the change-up the least effective pitch?

[@joshuapatrick682]

Always thought sliders were the most dangerous pitches for some odd reason. Also Felix Hernandez and Stephen Strasburg might disagree about the CU effectiveness.

[@harperphillips5115]

sliders are they put the most force on ur elbow surprisingly curveballs were one of the safest to throw

[@zaydonmarguth7532]

instead of a changeup i throw a splitter

[@John-ms6bv]

[Trevor Hoffman has entered the chat]

[@NFZ_WooWap-32]

me being able to throw 6 pitches before high school and watching this video makes it a lot harder to want keep throwing these pitches

[@WhozGremzy]

*Felix Hernandez has entered the chat*

[@josephmannix5120]

I learned to throw a curveball before I learned a change up it wasn’t to hard for me later to develop one

[@tomcarrow]

I guess it depends on how well you throw the changeup. Trevor Hoffman might disagree with it being the least effective.

[@ronondechek14]

Changeup is a very difficult pitch to master. Time better spent building velo and excellent mechanics.

[@tomcarrow]

@@ronondechek14 100% agree. Velo will get you noticed. Knowing how to pitch will get you results. The best pitch you can throw is a well-located fastball. But if I were trying to work on a good second pitch it would be a changeup followed closely by a slider/cutter. I'd leave the curveball in the bag.

[@ronondechek14]

@@tomcarrow I’d just put a 3rd finger on top of the ball and not change any FB mechanics. That alone will take 5mph off the pitch. Could work well if you have good accuracy. Key is to not change mechanics or arm speed. I think that’s why Trevor recommends going with a cutter before breaking balls.

[@KingStackkz]

Wow! Is a change-up being the least effective pitch a supported fact? Or opinion. Generally curious bc Sandy’s change seems pretty effective

[@CorgeekWx]

It's hard to disagree as you are a former mlb pitcher, but it sounds like bullcrap. A changeup won't slow you down because it's a deceptive pitch. Do you throw your Curve at 85 mph and is it your primary pitch? No. A changeup is an easy to control beginners pitch that introduces kids to movement and tempo.

[@thedorsinator]

Come to the astrossss

[@americanpride9733]

Your body adapts. Learn to throw as many pitches as you can as soon as you can. Dont push your arm. If a certain pitch hurts your arm, youre throwing it wrong.

[@GANONDORFSDOG]

I use a splitter for my changeup

[@Tiniclips1234]

Bro I learned my slurve at 11 and I’m 13 now and I’m fucking dotting kids up

[@therandomchannel-_-]

Me at 18 and have never played baseball: Mmmmm for sure

[@ThePitchingPage]

I agree the changeup destroys the arm in my opinion

[@BamBamBreaks]

im still waiting for you to make a shorts video about seam shifted wake

[@nflopinions6525]

I already know how to pitch a change up at 11

[@Rooster_king]

Cutters barely move at all at an early age.

[@matt5g]

I think I was 13 or 14 at the time, but my coaches son was the "best pitcher" on our team with a 40-45 mph fastball and a change up. I remember I went to a different team the next year and played against him and hit a tank off his change up because it was so slow and he threw it like 80% of the time, so it was not hard to know if it was coming or not

[@tammiloftus6868]

I'm 11 and throw 80 mph fastballs

[@mcmrv14]

The change up is the least effective pitch? SMDH.

[@BON3SVR12]

I was just watching a video on how to throw a change up and then this video comes up and I’m 11😂

[@Weirdwizardmonkey]

I learned fast ball then went to a splitter

[@thebotcooker729]

i learned a change up at 10😅

[@TBDF12]

What about knuckle

[@jocelynroe4959]

i just learn any pitch that fit best in me

[@swat486]

Let’s see how MLB handles a real crime with evidence, White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger

[@gina774]

Yeah that's going to be very interesting. Clev better get twice as much punishment at least.

[@drewkorn4805]

i learned a changup at 8😭

[@nathanmerritt844]

Does circle count?

[@Elimartinez125]

I’m 13 and I learned my slider before my curve is this good or bad

[@FIRERZZY]

Dude 10 year olds these days are throwing curve balls 💀

[@sportswithbrice]

My dad taught me to throw a change up when I was 8. Probably why I top out at 71 at 14 years old and 130 lbs.

[@jjhood6155]

Your probably top out at 71 because your 130Lbs

[@alexanderbattin4227]

Change up is the easiest to learn other than fastballs.....

[@jamo12z10]

Devin Williams watching this right now 😅

[@TP10278]

Got tj at 13😂

[@sethgottman8666]

what team are you on?

[@quentinbell5617]

What do you mean by, "but the fastball is the most dangerous pitch" ? Is the fastball the most dangerous pitch for a young pitcher to attempt? Is a fastball the most dangerous pitch on a young pitcher's arm?

[@faustoutloud]

Come on broski the Phillies are just waiting to sign you man imagine you Wheeler Nola nd Ranger plus Walker come on man we'd be a juggernaut unbeatable🙏🙏✌👍👍💲💲💲

[@lou2056]

"we'd"? What position do you play?

[@braindamage396]

​@@lou2056 He plays fan position and that is probably the most important position on any sports team. 😎

[@jayynz_]

Lol I’m 14 throw 77 and have a change that’s moves 😭

[@brink1794]

77 is good for 14

[@greatlakes4753]

You should sign with the Twins Trevor. You'd suffer a lot less whiplash simply by not having to pitch to Max Kepler.

[@MajorChipHazard16]

Pitching is a thinking man sport. I think its important you teach the kids that philosophy early and often. I believe you teach your young padwans to thr..to MASTEE both cross seam and 2 seam fastballs and then you build their off speed and breaking ball pitches from there. I think its important that they focus on control and command so that way their entire repertoire can eventually become "out" pitches. Like the great leo mazzone always says, "practice your craft, more often with less exertion" and you better be practicing throwing off a mound. None of that flat ground BS

[@danandrobarcinas5405]

Me at 9 years old throwing nasty slurve

[@jack0yp0wer73]

Throwing a change up when I was ten 😅😬

[@jheezy661]

What’s “supination” can anyone explain or elaborate?

[@parkerkoch8727]

i learned slider at 15

[@evanjohnson3762]

But the change up is what seems you throw best.

[@randyjones3390]

I tore my tommy John tryna throw cannons 😢 can barely throw a baseball anymore

[@cornfrog]

I actually learned my pitches in: Fastball - 8 yrs old Curveball - 11 Changeup - 12 Splitter - 13 Better Curveball - 14 Better Changeup - 14 Slider & Cutter - 15 Edit: I hurt my elbow throwing a curveball so I used a different one. I learned a splitter because my changeup was bad (hence why I got a new change up)

[@darrellfranklin4465]

My teammate at 13 has 8 pitches it fools everyone and with my good framing

[@jtfong220]

Please pitch for the Padres!

[@MonkeyEnthusiast77]

Pain I learned to throw a change up when I was 11. Maybe that’s why I didn’t make the leeg