Jackson Sayre

Outfield - Glove to Release:

Jackson, your performance in the outfield demonstrates a solid foundation, particularly in your glove-to-release mechanics. Your ability to transition smoothly from fielding the ball to making a throw is evident and is an essential skill for any outfielder. This fluidity in your movements allows you to maintain momentum and make accurate throws, contributing to your effectiveness on the field. As you continue to hone your skills, focus on maintaining a low, athletic posture as you field the ball. This will help you to stay balanced and efficient, reducing the time it takes to transfer the ball from glove to hand.

While your transition is strong, there's always room for improvement to gain an edge. Consider incorporating drills that emphasize quickening your hand speed and improving your footwork. Practicing with a focus on foot placement and body alignment can enhance your ability to make rapid throws without compromising accuracy. Additionally, experimenting with different glove sizes and styles might offer you greater control and comfort, potentially speeding up your transition time even more.

Overall, your current abilities are promising, and with continued practice and attention to detail, you can elevate your game to the next level. Keep up the excellent work and stay proactive in seeking out opportunities to refine your skills. The effort you invest in your glove-to-release mechanics will undoubtedly pay off, making you an even more valuable asset to your team. Keep pushing yourself, and remember that small enhancements can lead to significant improvements in your performance on the field.

**Pitching - Changeup:**

Jackson, your changeup shows potential, and it's great to see you incorporating this pitch into your arsenal at age 17. Your current velocity of 68 MPH creates a nice contrast to your fastball, which can be a key factor in disrupting hitters' timing. Maintaining this velocity differential is essential to keeping batters off balance. However, it is equally important to enhance your location consistency with the changeup to maximize its effectiveness.

Focusing on location consistency will elevate your changeup from a good pitch to a great one. To improve this aspect, consider refining your grip and release point. Practicing your changeup in bullpen sessions with a target in mind can help you develop better command. Additionally, working on your mechanics will ensure that your changeup motion mirrors your fastball delivery, making it harder for hitters to distinguish between the two.

Remember, the changeup is a finesse pitch that relies heavily on deception and placement rather than pure speed. By dedicating time to honing your accuracy and maintaining the same arm speed and motion as your fastball, you can make the changeup a true weapon in your pitching repertoire. Keep up the hard work, and you'll see positive results on the mound.

Pitching - Curveball:

Jackson, your curveball shows promising movement, which is a key asset for any pitcher aiming to keep hitters off balance. The natural break you achieve suggests that you have a solid grip and release, allowing the ball to move effectively through the zone. This skill will be invaluable as you face more advanced hitters who are adept at timing and recognizing pitches. To enhance the effectiveness of your curveball even further, consider focusing on maintaining a consistent arm speed to better disguise the pitch from a hitter's perspective. This will make it more challenging for batters to differentiate your curveball from other pitches in your arsenal.

In terms of velocity, your curveball is currently clocking in at 64 MPH. While movement is crucial, increasing the speed slightly could add an extra dimension to your pitch, making it even harder for hitters to react. A few ways to achieve this include working on your core and lower body strength, which can contribute to generating more power without sacrificing control. Additionally, experimenting with slight adjustments to your grip or wrist action might help find an optimal balance between speed and movement.

As you continue to develop your pitching repertoire, keep refining your mechanics and incorporating feedback from coaches and peers. Your ability to generate good movement at this stage is a fantastic foundation. By focusing on these areas, you can transform your curveball into a truly formidable weapon on the mound. Keep up the hard work, and remember that consistent practice and a willingness to adapt are key to reaching your full potential.

**Pitching - Fastball:**

Jackson, your fastball shows significant promise, especially at your age and stage of development. With a current velocity of 69 MPH, you're on the right track, and there's a solid foundation to build upon as you continue to mature physically and refine your technique. The key area I'd like you to focus on is location work. Consistently hitting your spots with the fastball can make a significant difference in your effectiveness on the mound. Developing command over your fastball will not only make you a more competitive pitcher but will also help you set up your secondary pitches more effectively.

To improve your location, consider working on your mechanics to ensure a repeatable and balanced delivery. Focus on your stride and follow-through, keeping your front shoulder closed as long as possible to improve your accuracy. Incorporating drills that emphasize hitting specific targets, like the corners of the plate, can also be beneficial. In bullpen sessions, challenge yourself to throw sequences to different quadrants of the zone, gradually increasing the difficulty as you gain more confidence in your ability to hit those spots reliably.

Additionally, as you work on your location, continue to build your arm strength and overall conditioning. This will naturally help increase your velocity over time. Incorporating a structured strength and conditioning program that focuses on arm care, core stability, and lower body strength will be crucial as you look to add more power behind your pitches. Keep up the hard work, and remember that consistent practice and refining these small details will contribute to your growth and success on the mound.