Sprinting is often overlooked in training programs for baseball players, especially pitchers. The benefits of taking position players through a speed program are obvious—but pitchers can greatly benefit from a speed program as well.

Believe it or not, pitchers are athletes too, and developing their athleticism should be a focal point of their training, including speed training. Training an athlete on both ends of the force-velocity curve is an essential part of their development.

Baseball is a sport that requires high maximal power outputs, and sprinting is a skill requiring maximal power output. To train for sport specificity, strength coaches should include sprint work in their programs.