You show me any kid throwing 80+MPH fastballs, and I’ll call the Pirates front office to go sign him immediately.
I kid you not.
clocked at 83 at a showcase in Aug.
Twice.
Up until that day everyone considered him a catcher.
My son’s last year of baseball, he went up against a 14-year-old throwing 80+ (as estimated by an experienced ref and a coach). Our team, made up mostly of 13 year olds, got exactly one hit.
I went to grade school and played 6th grade baseball with a kid who was a pitcher and threw about 75. Everyone thought he would go to the Show. He went to all sorts of pitching camps and learned how to throw breaking balls and he was unhitable.
He blew out his arm in high school and that was the end of the baseball road for him. Throwing like that at a young age is not good. I don't think it's a coincidence that the kids who are awesome pitchers in the Little League World Series don't seem to have long-term success. That sort of throwing take a toll.
So, I said that to say don't run off to the Pirates just yet...
Why bother? They'll just trade him and end up sucking again, anyway.....