Learn to Pitch with Your Fastball

I’ve been working with high school pitchers for the last five years, and the one thing I see over and over again—especially in bullpens or games when things start getting competitive—is guys reaching for their offspeed way too early. We all love a nasty slider or a big 12-6 curve, but here’s the truth: if you want to be a legit pitcher, not just a thrower, you’ve got to learn to pitch with your fastball first.

Let’s be real. Most of you have maybe one or two offspeed pitches that you feel good about, and even then, they don’t always show up every game. So why are we so eager to toss them right away? You get ahead 0-1 or 0-2, and instead of doubling down with intent, you go straight to the breaking ball. That might work against weaker hitters but against good lineups? They’ll sit offspeed, foul it off, or take it—and now you’re back in a battle.

Here’s the thing: your fastball can be your best offspeed pitch. Let me explain.

When you move your fastball around the zone—away, in, up—you’re changing the look, the timing, and the hitter’s comfort. That’s effective velocity. A fastball at the letters might be the same mph on the radar gun as one at the knees, but it plays quicker. A fastball in might jam a hitter even if they’re on time. Throwing inside, especially in 0-1 counts, is one of the most underused weapons in high school baseball. Most hitters are diving over the plate, looking for that outer-third cookie. Show them something in, and you change their approach for the rest of the at-bat.

That said—there’s a time and place to break out the offspeed, and knowing when is what separates dudes who are just throwing from guys who know how to pitch. If hitters start to time up your fastball and get their swing off early, you’ve got to mix it up. You might need to break the rhythm if you’re in a high-stress situation or facing an absolute dude. And sometimes, when you’re absolutely overpowering a hitter, that’s the perfect moment to flip in a breaker to lock it in and mess with their timing even more. Offspeed is a weapon, but it’s only really sharp when used at the right time.

Next time you’re on the mound, challenge yourself. Ride your fastball as long as you can. Pitch with it. Command it. Move it around. Make it your go-to. Because the guys who learn to do that are the ones who separate themselves when everyone else is spinning sliders in advantage counts.

Trust your stuff. Ride the heater. Be the guy who pitches with purpose.