Switch Pitching 101

High School Switch Pitcher selected in MLB Draft Central Kitsap's Drew Vettleson selected No. 42 overall in Major League Draft  -  Central Kitsap Reporter Central Kitsap High School senior Drew Vettleson, who has committed to Oregon State University, was selected No. 42 overall Monday by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2010 Major League Draft. Vettleson led Central Kitsap in nearly every offensive statistical category during the regular season in 2010, hitting .490 to go with seven home runs and 29 RBI. He also was the team's top pitcher, posting a 1.35 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 32 walks. Rays Take  Drew Vettleson  With 42nd Pick of 2010  Draft The Rays took high school OF  Drew Vettleson  with their compensation round pick ( #42 overall). Vettleson has earned some notice for his switch-pitching, but he’s a pro prospect as an outfielder who can hit and profiles well in right field. 

Focus on throwing one pitch at a time. Don't worry about the last pitch. A lot of young pitcher's will throw high, then over compensate with a very low throw - sometimes in the dirt. With the pitcher behind in the count, the next pitch might be down the middle of the plate for a single. The pitcher should forget about the previous pitch and focus on throwing strikes low and away (over the outside of the plate). Take a deep breath, smile and then go after the batter. If there are two outs, then focus on the catcher's glove and don't worry about runners on base. Throwing over to keep a runner on first base can mess with your rhythm, so check the runner then throw hard to the glove. A ground ball should result in an out at first base.

Ambidextrous pitcher Drew Vettleson, from Central Kitsap,  was named the 2009-10 Gatorade Washington Baseball Player of the Year. Vettleson hit .490 with seven home runs, 28 RBIs and a 1.137 slugging percentage. The skilled ambidextrous pitcher went 3-2 with two saves and a 1.35 ERA. As one of the Washington's top prospects, Vettleson struck out 71 in 41 1/3 innings. source: The Seattle Times Press Release CHICAGO (June 2, 2010) — In its 25 th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, today announced Drew Vettleson of Central Kitsap High School as its 2009-10 Gatorade Washington Baseball Player of the Year. Vettleson is the first Gatorade Washington Baseball Player of the Year to be chosen from Central Kitsap High School.  The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the...