2025/26 Off-Season Hitting Program: Week 16 Progress Report

As we reach Week 16 of the offseason program, the way we evaluate hitters begins to change.

Earlier in the program, progress is often measured by improvement. Players are learning new movements, getting stronger and starting to see increases in exit velocity. During that phase, it can feel like everyone is moving forward at the same pace, but by Week 16, that illusion disappears.

This is the point in the offseason where development becomes honest. The swings are no longer new, the movements are no longer being learned and the numbers are no longer influenced by occasional good swings. What we are seeing now is what each player can actually repeat.

That is what separates hitters.

Because in the game, your best swing does not define you, your average one does.

What Week 16 Really Measures

The consistency chart has been used all offseason, but its importance increases as we get deeper into the program.

• Average Exit Velocity shows what a hitter truly owns

• Max Exit Velocity shows their ceiling

• MV–AVG Gap shows how often that ceiling shows up

At Week 16, the goal is no longer just to improve, the goal is to stabilize. Players who can maintain high averages while keeping the gap tight are the ones whose swings are becoming reliable. Players with large gaps still have the tools, but not yet the consistency to access them under pressure.

Equipment Matters: Understanding the Groups

When evaluating these numbers, it is important to understand the difference in equipment:

• 12U & 13U hitters use BBCOR / youth bats (non-wood)

• 15U & 16U hitters use wood bats

Wood bats expose everything, they do not forgive mishits, and they do not help the ball carry. That means the older groups are being evaluated under conditions that more closely reflect the real game. At the younger levels, the focus remains on building movement patterns and consistency. At the older levels, it becomes about true ball striking and performance.

National Exit Velocity Benchmarks (USA & Canada)

To provide context, we continue to compare our hitters to national standards:

• 12U: Average 50–55 mph | High-Level 60+ mph

• 13U: Average 55–60 mph | High-Level 65+ mph

• 14U: Average 60–65 mph | High-Level 75+ mph

• 15U+: Average 65–70 mph | High-Level 80+ mph

Many of our hitters are now meeting or exceeding these benchmarks, that speaks to the quality of work being done. But benchmarks only tell us how hard a player can hit the ball, they do not tell us how often they can do it.

Analysis:

At this stage, the focus remains on building repeatable movement patterns. Liam’s ability to maintain a low gap while sitting above 53 mph average stands out, showing early signs of a stable swing. Bennett and Beau have both moved into national-level averages, reinforcing that strength and mechanics are beginning to align.

The power is starting to show across the group, but more importantly, the swings are becoming more controlled. That is the priority at this age.

Analysis:

This group is no longer separated by strength, it is separated by control. Nico’s profile is one of the most efficient in the entire program, a gap under 4 mph at this age shows a swing that is repeatable and game-ready. Adrian P also shows strong efficiency, reinforcing that consistency can exist even without elite power.

On the other side, players like Raymond and Mason show extremely high ceilings, with max velocities reaching into elite ranges, but the gap shows that this power is not yet consistent. This is where development becomes specific.

The next step is not more power, it is learning how to repeat it.

Analysis:

At this level, power is expected. Consistency is what separates players. Marco and Justin are producing high-level numbers with strong averages, showing swings that translate. Kian and Blake are right behind, combining strength with improving efficiency.

Players with larger gaps still show strong ceilings, but wood bats expose inconsistency quickly. This group is transitioning from development into performance.

Analysis:

At this level, physical ability is no longer the separator. Austin stands out for his efficiency, combining strong average output with a controlled gap. Marciano continues to produce elite numbers, while several players show high-end power.

The difference now comes down to who can repeat their swing under pressure.

Analysis:

This group continues to show strong progress, with multiple players performing at or above national benchmarks. Kyle’s improvement stands out, showing both increased output and better consistency.

The goal of this group reflects the philosophy of the program. If a player wants to improve, we will teach them, no matter where they play.

Final Thoughts

Week 16 reveals something that is easy to miss earlier in the offseason. The players who are separating themselves are not always the ones with the highest max velocity. They are the ones whose swings show up the most often.

As we move into the final phase of the offseason, the focus shifts toward:

• improving efficiency

• refining timing and approach

• translating power into game performance

Because in the end, hitting is not defined by your best swing, it is defined by the one you can repeat.