The 3 Biggest Lies in Baseball Player Development (And How SAVAGE Training Shatters Them)

Baseball is a game steeped in tradition, and for decades, conventional wisdom has dictated how players should train, develop, and progress in the sport. Unfortunately, much of this so-called wisdom is based on outdated principles, misconceptions, and outright myths that hold players back rather than push them forward. If you're a pitcher striving for excellence, it's time to uncover the truth about baseball development and learn why SAVAGE Training at The Florida Baseball ARMory provides the edge you need.

Lie #1: Velocity is Genetic – You Either Have It or You Don’t

One of the most pervasive myths in baseball is the belief that velocity is an innate trait—either you’re born with a powerful arm, or you’re not. This mindset has caused countless players to accept mediocrity rather than strive for greatness.

The Truth: Velocity Is Trainable

The idea that velocity is purely genetic ignores decades of scientific research and real-world success stories. Throwing harder is not just about having a “God-given” arm; it’s about optimizing movement, force production, and efficiency. Here’s why:

1. The Body Can Be Trained for Power – Just like a sprinter can develop more speed through proper  training, a pitcher can develop more velocity by improving their ability to produce and transfer force efficiently.
2. Movement Patterns Can Be Optimized – Through motor learning principles and biomechanical refinement, we can reprogram how a pitcher moves, ensuring they generate the maximum amount of force with minimal wasted effort.
3. Strength, Mobility, and Coordination Matter – Elite pitchers aren’t just strong; they’re explosively powerful in the right planes of motion. By improving and coordinating core stability, lower body power, and shoulder integrity, velocity gains become inevitable.

At The Florida Baseball ARMory, we have helped over 570 pitchers develop 90+ mph fastballs—not because they were genetically superior, but because they trained smarter. SAVAGE Training systematically builds velocity through Specific Adaptation through Variability and Goal-directed Experiences (SAVAGE), ensuring each pitcher maximizes their unique potential.

Lie #2: Command is Unteachable – You Either Have It or You Don’t

For years, coaches have treated command like a mystical quality that some pitchers naturally possess while others never will. The common refrain is, “That guy just can’t throw strikes.” leaving struggling pitchers to believe they’re doomed to poor control forever.

The Truth: Command is a Trainable Skill

Command is not about repeating the same mechanical movement perfectly—it’s about adaptability. A pitcher’s ability to consistently locate pitches is a result of:

1. Proprioceptive Awareness – The best pitchers aren’t mechanically “perfect,” but they are exceptionally aware of how their body moves in space. They can adjust and adapt their release points without overthinking.
2. Variability Training – Research in motor learning shows that movement variability leads to more robust skill acquisition. Instead of rigid, repeatable mechanics, pitchers need exposure to varied conditions to develop adaptability.
3. Target-Oriented Training – Too many pitchers train by simply throwing to a catcher’s mitt without a defined goal. By integrating goal-directed experiences (e.g., hitting specific quadrants of the strike zone in a gamelike setting), pitchers develop a subconscious ability to command the baseball.

SAVAGE Training integrates constraint-led coaching and task-based training to teach command. By exposing pitchers to different tasks and environmental conditions, we train them to self-organize and adapt—just like they must in real game situations. The result? Pitchers who can consistently throw strikes under pressure without mechanical overcorrection.

Lie #3: Workload Alone Causes Injuries

Injury prevention has become a major focus in baseball, and rightfully so. However, the idea that simply limiting pitch counts and innings will keep arms healthy is a gross oversimplification of the problem.

The Truth: Injuries Are Caused by a Combination of Factors

While excessive workload can contribute to injury, it is rarely the sole cause. Most injuries occur due to a combination of:

1. Poor Movement Efficiency – If a pitcher’s delivery is inefficient, they place unnecessary stress on the elbow and shoulder, increasing the likelihood of injury regardless of how many pitches they throw.
2. Lack of Physical Preparation – Deconditioning in critical areas (e.g., scapular stability, core control, hip mobility) make a pitcher more susceptible to breaking down under stress.
3. Poor Recovery & Adaptation – Many pitchers fail to recover properly between outings, leading to cumulative stress that eventually results in injury.

At The Florida Baseball ARMory, we don’t just monitor pitch counts—we monitor movement quality, workload capacity, and recovery markers to ensure our athletes remain healthy while continuing to develop. Our individualized assessment process identifies potential injury risk factors and corrects them before they become a problem.

How SAVAGE Training Shatters These Myths

SAVAGE Training is built on science, not tradition. Instead of relying on outdated coaching beliefs, we use biomechanics, motor learning, and individualized programming to optimize every pitcher’s performance. Here’s how:

• Velocity is systematically developed through proper strength, coordination, mobility, and movement-based training.
• Command is cultivated through variability, goal-directed training, and proprioceptive feedback.
• Injury prevention is proactive, not reactive, ensuring that workload is managed based on individual needs, not arbitrary limits.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve ever been told you’re not a “natural” thrower, that you’ll never have elite command, or that pitch counts alone will keep you healthy, it’s time to reject those outdated myths.

The Florida Baseball ARMory’s SAVAGE Training will help you break through your limitations and achieve what you once thought was impossible.

Are you ready to train smarter, move better, and throw harder?

Join us for a SAVAGE Weekend Camp, Extended Stay Summer Training, Precision Strikes, or SAVAGE Satellite Training and take control of your development today!