If you’re a high school baseball player with dreams of playing at the next level, you already know the competition is fierce. Every swing, throw, and sprint counts—and college recruiters are watching closely. But what exactly are they looking for? What separates an athlete who catches a coach’s attention from the one who gets overlooked?
At Parsons Sports Performance, our college baseball training programs are built to help athletes understand, improve, and showcase the key performance metrics that matter most to college scouts. Below, we break down the top five benchmarks every serious prospect should focus on to stand out during recruiting.
1. Exit Velocity
Why it matters: Exit velocity measures the speed of the baseball as it leaves the bat, one of the most critical indicators of a hitter’s power and contact quality. College coaches use this number to assess how consistently a player can drive the ball and produce extra-base hits.
What coaches look for:
- High school benchmark: 85–90 mph is competitive for most college-level players; elite prospects often exceed 95 mph.
- What it shows: Strong lower-half drive, efficient mechanics, and rotational power.
How Parsons Conditions:
Our training programs emphasize lower-body strength, core stability, and rotational speed—key components that directly influence exit velocity. Through med-ball rotations, weighted bat work, and high-speed swing analysis, athletes learn to maximize their power potential safely and effectively.
2. 60-Yard Dash
Why it matters: The 60-yard dash remains a gold standard for evaluating speed in baseball. Coaches use this metric to gauge an athlete’s base-running ability, quickness out of the box, and defensive range in the field.
What coaches look for:
- Benchmark times: Sub-7.0 seconds is considered solid for most college recruits; sub-6.7 is elite.
- What it shows: Explosive acceleration, stride efficiency, and athletic coordination.
How Parsons conditions:
Speed doesn’t just come from running harder—it’s about training smarter. Our college baseball training programs integrate sprint mechanics, resisted runs, and strength work to build power through the hips and legs. We also focus on reaction drills and start-line explosiveness to help players shave valuable milliseconds off their times.
3. Throwing Velocity
Why it matters: Whether you’re a pitcher or a position player, throwing velocity reveals arm strength, mechanics, and body control. College coaches use it to predict potential on the mound and defensive impact in the field.
What coaches look for:
- Pitchers: 83–88 mph is competitive for college-bound players; 90+ mph is considered elite.
- Infielders/Outfielders: Consistent, accurate throws with carry and quick release times.
How Parsons conditions:
We take a full-body approach to velocity development. Our coaches emphasize proper throwing mechanics, scapular stability, and hip-shoulder separation to create efficient energy transfer. Strength training, mobility work, and long-toss programming are all integrated to enhance velocity safely without overuse.
4. Bat Speed
Why it matters: Bat speed measures how quickly a player can whip the bat through the hitting zone, a significant factor in how hard and how far the ball travels. College coaches view bat speed as a sign of both athleticism and hitting potential.
What coaches look for:
- Competitive benchmark: Mid-60s mph is average; 70+ mph shows advanced power potential.
- What it shows: Explosive rotational strength and hand-eye coordination.
How Parsons conditions:
Bat speed is developed through rotational power, timing, and sequencing. Our hitters train with overload/underload bat protocols, resistance band work, and swing path analysis using tools like Blast Motion and Rapsodo. By refining mechanics and building core strength, players gain both speed and control through the zone.
5. Pop Time and Defensive Agility
Why it matters: For catchers, pop time—the time from glove to throw at second base—is a key metric. For other defensive players, agility and first-step quickness determine range and fielding efficiency. College coaches want athletes who can react, move, and throw in rhythm with the game’s speed.
What coaches look for:
- Catchers: 2.0 seconds or faster is strong for college-level prospects.
- Fielders: Smooth footwork, lateral quickness, and clean transfer mechanics.
How Parsons conditions:
Our position-specific programs include footwork ladders, lateral shuffle drills, and resistance training for rapid direction changes. For catchers, we combine lower-half explosiveness with precision throwing mechanics to consistently reduce pop time. Every athlete receives video analysis to fine-tune their movement efficiency and reaction speed.
Beyond the Numbers: What College Coaches Really Want
While metrics matter, coaches also look for intangible traits—work ethic, attitude, and game awareness. Numbers get a recruiter’s attention, but consistency, confidence, and communication keep it. That’s why our college baseball training programs go beyond physical testing.
At Parsons Sports Performance, we teach athletes how to perform under pressure, understand their data, and use it to improve every aspect of their game. Through small group sessions and individualized feedback, players learn to connect the “why” behind each drill to their in-game performance. We also simulate combined-style testing environments, so athletes become familiar with how scouts evaluate them. By the time they attend showcases or recruiting events, they know their numbers, their strengths, and how to present themselves as complete athletes.
Taking the Next Step Toward College Baseball
The road to college baseball isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about preparation. Knowing what coaches look for and training intentionally to improve those areas gives you an edge over the competition. If you’re serious about reaching the next level, it’s time to focus your efforts on data-driven performance training. At Parsons Sports Performance, our college baseball training programs combine strength, speed, and skill development with expert evaluation to help you stand out in the recruiting process.
From exit velocity to throwing speed, we’ll help you identify where you stand—and where you need to go. Contact Parsons Sports Performance today to schedule your evaluation and start training like a college recruit.
Your numbers matter—let’s make them count.