Typical Pitch Speeds by Age (Cited Chart)
Parents ask “how hard should my kid throw?” Here are published four-seam averages by age from Rapsodo, plus one MLB Statcast figure for context. We show only what the sources state — no invented ranges.
Four-seam averages by age (Rapsodo)
Rapsodo publishes a Baseball Pitching Averages by Age Guide (PDF). The table below copies the four-seam SPEED (MPH) averages as printed for right-handed (RHP) and left-handed (LHP) pitchers. Rapsodo notes the data comes from pitches captured on their technology; academy and showcase samples can skew high.
| Age | RHP four-seam (mph) | LHP four-seam (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 54 | 54 |
| 11 | 61 | 60 |
| 12 | 63 | 62 |
| 13 | 67 | 67 |
| 14 | 72 | 71 |
| 15 | 76 | 75 |
| 16 | 79 | 78 |
| 17 | 81 | 80 |
| 18 | 84 | 82 |
Source: Rapsodo, Baseball Pitching Averages by Age Guide — PDF · guide page.
Mobile-friendly bars (same Rapsodo averages, RHP)
MLB context (not an age chart)
For major-league four-seam fastballs, AP reported an all-pitcher average of 94.5 mph in 2025, citing Statcast. That is adult professional context — not a youth target.
- AP: MLB pitcher velocity records (Sep 30, 2025)
- Statcast boards: baseballsavant.mlb.com
A PubMed youth/adolescent cohort (Fares et al.) reported a mean velocity of 64 ± 10 mph without age bands — useful as a reminder that spreads are wide, not as a row in the chart above.
Read this before chasing a number
We already wrote why one-size charts mislead: age-appropriate velocity. Growth, size, and experience differ. Use a radar gun to track one player over time, stay inside Pitch Smart / pitch limits, and skip year-round max-effort throwing.
Tools and radar picks on this site
- Pitch speed equivalent calculator — convert a reading from a short mound to a 60.5 ft equivalent
- Little League age calculator — league age from Little League’s published cut-off
- Radar gun picks (home) — youth-focused picks from our product list
- Radar guns under $100 — budget options and trade-offs
- How to measure pitch speed
Sources (every number)
- Rapsodo — Baseball Pitching Averages by Age Guide (four-seam SPEED mph by age, RHP/LHP as printed). Guide · PDF
- Associated Press (Sep 30, 2025) — 2025 MLB four-seam average 94.5 mph via Statcast. Article
- MLB Statcast / Baseball Savant — public Statcast leaderboards and pitch data (backup citation for the MLB velocity figure). Baseball Savant
- Fares et al. — youth/adolescent mean 64 ± 10 mph (not age-banded). PubMed
FAQ
How fast should a 12-year-old throw?
Rapsodo’s published pitching averages by age guide lists a four-seam average of 63 mph for right-handers and 62 mph for left-handers at age 12. That is an average from their dataset, not a target every player should hit.
Where do these numbers come from?
The age rows come from Rapsodo’s Baseball Pitching Averages by Age Guide PDF. The MLB four-seam average (94.5 mph in 2025) comes from AP reporting of Statcast. We do not invent ranges.
Should kids chase these numbers?
No. See our age-appropriate velocity article — charts mislead when growth and size differ. Use radar to track one player’s progress, and stay within Pitch Smart limits.