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Jeff, fun thread by everyone. Many good thoughts. I probably did not articulate with clarity but I assume that a kid should have learned the change up early on after the fastball when still growing, etc. That is not just to learn another pitch but is also helpful to learn the very dynamics of pitching.
Give me a kid who is 94 in high school? The team goal is to win. That might be done with one or two pitches. If that 94'er is trying to hone his command? Perfect what you have right there. Make that 94 into a true out pitch...movement and location. Why toy with that. The extra pitch at that time is a distraction. Potentially later, an extra pitch luxury might become necessity in order to succeed. But that would come later with the honed, established command, even greater maturity equating to greater potential for success.
At any level, if a pitcher is special and can win with two pitches...isn't that the goal? I would fear being guilty of over-coaching someone into confusion. These guys are special and I always fear tinkering too much. Hopefully that make some sense. I totally agree with your premise. I think I am looking at it more in real time looking at each individual's skill levels.
It is fun to think through these. Thanks!!