By Garrett Wolforth –
As we step into the New Year, it’s essential to pause and honestly evaluate the year behind us. Reflection does more than prepare us for what’s ahead; it reveals whether our process is actually working. This step matters because it moves us from being passive observers in our careers to active decision-makers.
Let’s walk through the key factors that influence performance and determine where your time and energy should be focused this year.
Arm Health: The Non-Negotiable
We always begin with arm health and durability because nothing else matters if you can’t stay on the field.
If your arm pain is greater than 3 out of 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = severe pain), shift your priority to mechanical efficiency and reducing stress on your soft tissue. Revisit your tools: does the connection ball or club help your arm feel better?
Pair this with a consistent, thorough arm-prep routine so you’re fully warmed up before throwing. Protecting your arm isn’t optional; it’s the foundation of development.
Velocity: Useful, But Not Everything
Velocity will always attract attention because it’s simple to measure. To evaluate where you stand, compare your velocity to the players you compete against most often. While geography can skew perception, if you consistently throw harder than your peers, velocity likely isn’t your current limiter.
If you’re behind the curve, then it deserves focused, intentional work, not random efforts.
Command: Awareness Creates Results
When evaluating command, the goal is to keep BB/9 under 3. One simple but powerful habit is to have a specific target on every throw. This alone can elevate your command by building awareness and intentionality. As we say at The Ranch: awareness itself is curative.
Stuff
Finally, we assess your ability to create swings and misses. Our benchmark is 9+ K/9. If you consistently create swings and misses and produce strikeouts, your pitch shapes are likely in a good place.
Be cautious about copying “ideal pitch shapes” from the internet—deception, timing, and delivery are difficult to quantify and deeply individual. What works on paper doesn’t always work in competition.
Setting Your Focus for 2026
Use these standards to honestly evaluate yourself and determine where your efforts should go this year. You only have so many hours in the day; choose intentionally. Reflect, reset, and take ownership of the process so you can become the pitcher you’re capable of being.
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Important TBR Updates
- Two dates remain for our Winter Elite Pitchers Bootcamps. Get your spot now for one of the upcoming dates!
Jan. 17-19 (Sat-Mon) Martin Luther King Day Weekend
Feb. 14-16 (Sat-Mon) President’s Day Weekend
To register or learn more CLICK HERE
- 2025 Summer Program information will be released soon! Please watch your email for details.
- Join us for our annual Ranch on the Road Camp in Minnesota at Blizzard Baseball Academy January 30th – February 1st. If you would like more information, please email Adam Barta at abarta@minnesotabaseballacademy.com.
- Coach Wolforth is hosting a special 90 minute webinar – “The Velocity Code: 3 Secrets to Improving Velocity and Staying Healthy” on Thursdays at 7pm CST. If you’d like to attend the next webinar, CLICK HERE to register.
- Coach Wolforth is also hosting another webinar – “The 4 Pitching Pitfalls that Sabotage Velocity, Arm Health & Long-Term Success” Mondays at 7 pm. CST. CLICK HERE to register.
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