dlunsford1

Pressure? From what....a fan forum. Blaine knows better than to pay attention to us....haha. Of course teams will be at their best against him.....I hope so. You see....it's called competition, and that's how you get better. I expect that everybody is gonna be working hard to be as competitive as possible. Every team and individual player always have plenty of room for improvement. Blaine is no different than any other....work, improve, or baseball will eat you alive. He fully understands that fact, and I think that is a motivation.

The state titles were in Babe Ruth with Owensboro/Daviess Co. In HS, Ohio Co is yet to get one...that would be great, but unlikely. I don't have to build him up, but I do think his many accomplishments and talent are noteworthy. Last year Ohio Co was 15-17,....Blaine played but didn't pitch because of elbow injury and TJ surgery. If he had pitched, you would see a vastly different record. This year they are very young....lot of work to do to get back to Lexington. But...they are a hard-working, motivated group. Eagle3 only mentioned Daviess County, but the 3rd Region is much deeper. It will be a battle....the 2018 class in the 3rd Region is excellent. I like the Lonzo Ball comment....now that's funny!

I am sure you do! But when you have won 3 State Titles, All-District, All-Region, Regional Tournament MVP, PG All-American, and All-Tournament selection At PG Nationals, Team USA, PG World Championship, etc.....you start to think that maybe there is more to it than luck...LOTS of work ethic, great teammates and coaching, and mental toughness. All he does is love the game and do everything he can to get better and do the best he can to follow his dreams in baseball and life. Hope to talk to you again. Take care.

Hey Eagle3....ask DC about Blaine's mental toughness. Complete game win in a regional semi-final.....pretty good and rare given OC history. Leading your team to the State Tournament as a Sophomore is fairly rare.....or have you seen that before too. You haven't. Work ethic....after TJ surgery, did he play for his team while he was injured or not? Sure did....didn't have to but he did. Like I said, loves his team and is a competitor. Work ethic? UCL rehab is tough...but Blaine took it to another level....doctor's, physical therapists, chiropractors,weight training, mound work, mechanics work, pitch development, travel.....all while playing a full schedule. That's a player right there...and that is the definition of mental toughness for a high school player. I suppose he could work harder....hahaha. It's so easy to show up and pick a kid apart....all while the kid has the courage and guts to put himself on the stage. Mentally tough....Blaine has handled all the high expectations with hard work, sacrifice, and outstanding performance. Next level? Here is where you and I will separate. I know from experience as a next level player and coach.....and you don't I expect You might have been a fair HS player....I don't know. I've gone above and beyond....and created a college program from paper to reality. My point is this....and while I am biased I'm certain of my evaluation.....Blaine Gillim is a high-end player then, now, and hopefully in the future. At Ohio County, he is the best pitcher to put on the uniform.....already. And that is before his Senior year. He is going to dominate in the Spring as he has done previously, and possibly lead his team....again....back to the State Tournament. At the next level, he will develop and also be successful with continued hard work and sacrifice. Next level is next level....it is supposed to be tougher, and it is. But even if you watch, you won't see it....you can't. Later Dad

The change-up has been added and it's developing fast. He used it in Jupiter a few times. You say you have seen it many times. No you haven't. But I have. After one outing LSU coach was talking to Brad Wilkerson....flat out stated he saw a few things out of Blaine's pitches that you can't teach. Blaine's college choice is very specific to his future path.....very specific. You wouldn't understand so don't worry yourself with such details. Next week....you will hear about it soon enough. You probably won't fully understand....but you fit that type very well.

Eagle3....that baseball genius....the kid's name is Blaine Gillim....not Blain Gilliam. Dang it man. "You're killing me Smalls". LMAO. Watch, study, and learn big guy.

Ok. A few points. I'm not his father. I like your analysis to some degree except you obviously don't understand pitching or work ethic. Blaine has worked his tail off since he was 7 yes old. He set the bar. Do you think it's easy to play all spring, summer, and fall....with travel and practice. You want FACTS.....look at the stats and the radar gun. BTW....there might be 5 kids in the country that can throw 90+ for 3+ innings. If he could, he would be a 1st rounder....no doubt. Mental toughness....you do realize that Blaine is as solid mentally as anyone. They don't call him Big Game for no reason. All of your insights...which are incorrect....especially your pitch selection in counts (which shows your little league status)....are pre-injury. Blaine's velocity jumped 3-4mph at the PG World Championships. That's FACT. I will say I have tremendous respect for our friends at DC and the other schools. It's gonna be a competitive region next spring. It's a TEAM sport, and Blaine loves his team. Because of his injury, he has been required to undergo a different schedule of training. Work ethic....you are clueless. Do you have any idea how many days this good gets up before the sun rises for baseball. You don't...I do....a bunch. To have the guts to go beyond all he knows to be on a team in South Florida....away from home and family in some cases for weeks. That's a real player. How about Cincinnati....Do you think Dr. Kremchek does UCL surgery on every high school kid that walks into his office.....for free (you do know he is world renowned and the Reds team doctor right). You have no clue as to to remotely evaluate baseball talent, but others do. Have you seen his ranking among LHP on Perfect Game? Kid has been named to the All-Tournament Team in virtually every tournament. If we are talking velocity....of all pitchers recorded by PG for the 2018 class....where is Blaine? Homework....education is the key. That's our difference....you are baseball ignorant. That's no disrespect, it is just that you don't know. You see it....but you don't know what you are seeing. Be glad to continue this....I got more free information for you from the 3 MLB teams that have contacted Blaine directly....directly. You think that happens a bunch do ya? Hahaha

Did you see that he was up to 88 on Oct 19 in Jupiter? Did you see the scout notes on him or watch him manhandle Canes National....one of the best in the country? PBR is great, but on that day, it was cold and indoors. With very little warmup time, it was decided to not go 100% and risk reinjury. Still on the comeback and not yet 100%....healthy but not 100%. It was just the situation....again, I think PBR is awesome, but they didn't see his best....and they knew that. We are hoping that he will be at 100% in Spring. I will take....up to 88 and dominant at 14 months after UCL surgery. At 20-24 months, it is believed by professionals that Blaine will actually be 100% without any restriction. This is what I know and see....kid carves up hitters and only a very few have gotten an extra base hit off him....ever. Hitters in the spring will get challenged on the inner-half with a steady diet of fastballs. We will see if they can pull the trigger fast enough to catch up. It a competitive game, and he loves to compete. I'm familiar with the few jealous doubters...always out there. Most often, they are your friends....but competing with and against them is the most fun of all.

Gilliam? It's Gillim. Done that average left-handed fastball research yet? Given your post, I'm gonna have to conclude that you have no idea what a good off-speed pitch even looks like. Describe one. Would you have any clue as to how to develop a pitch or what are the many grips that are possible for each pitch? Do you have any....any clue on when might be a good time to throw any pitch? What are the variables that need to be considered? I didn't think so, but thanks for the easy win and uneducated opinion. It was fun for me in late November.

Not my son, but at any rate, I enjoy the debate....especially from someone like Eagle3 who obviously needs a little education in baseball. I'm happy to give it....for free

Haha. I can see that you haven't done your homework. Average fastball at the high school level for a left-hander? Impressive stats...you got that one correct. His stats are awesome...in spite of TJ (that's Tommy John in case you don't know---and I doubt you do). What's the average recovery time for TJ for a high school pitcher? I know, because Dr. Kremchek told me. Nothing wrong with mid-major D-1....great schools....although you seem to snub them. Blaine is just a kid doing his best to play anywhere. By the way, you say you have seen him pitch a few times? What were the results? Be as specific as you can. Blaine's unbelievable success all over the country has mostly been while his elbow was injured....now that it's healthy, he hasn't been touched. That's after 14 months of healing and 3 months on the mound since surgery. The next time you come to watch...do some research beforehand so that you can understand what you are seeing. See ya at the yard....meat

I am never hostile, but I love a good debate about pitching. When it come to Blaine, there is no debate. Great kid who loves the game and is very talented with a bright future. Now that he is healthy, I'm certain of his outcome. Spring will be here soon, and I am looking forward to a trip back to Lexington.

I'm great! Just having fun with the riff raff

Wanna bet on the 90?

Haha. I can see that you haven't done your homework. Average fastball at the high school level for a left-hander? Impressive stats...you got that one correct. His stats are awesome...in spite of TJ (that's Tommy John in case you don't know---and I doubt you do). What's the average recovery time for TJ for a high school pitcher? I know, because Dr. Kremchek told me. Nothing wrong with mid-major D-1....great schools....although you seem to snub them. Blaine is just a kid doing his best to play anywhere. By the way, you say you have seen him pitch a few times? What were the results? Be as specific as you can. Blaine's unbelievable success all over the country has mostly been while his elbow was injured....now that it's healthy, he hasn't been touched. That's after 14 months of healing and 3 months on the mound since surgery. The next time you come to watch...do some research beforehand so that you can understand what you are seeing. See ya at the yard....meat

What was the velocity in Jupiter? Up to 88....how many runs and hits did he allow? 0 runs, 2 hits. All Tournament. At the PBR Showcase, he was taking it easy based on the conditions ......You might know that after TJ surgery....nevermind, you don't know. His stats and success are proven....over and over. See ya at the yard.

Up to 88 at the World Championships in Jupiter. Pitched against Canes National and a team from Puerto Rico. 0 earned runs, 6Ks, 5 innings. Aside from velocity, Blaine knows how to pitch. Aside from that, he is barely a year off of Tommy John. I guarantee he will be 90+ next spring. I don't expect him to sit at 90+ next spring. If you know anything about pitching or Tommy John for young pitchers, then you know that his numbers are absolutely excellent. I will let the results prove my point. Look forward to seeing you at the park....

As an old school guy myself....formerly young as one might call it....there is too much parental involvement. I witness players talking to spectators and parents during the game. Players at the concession stand during the game. Booster programs out of control, and severely lacking budgets. These coaches deserve medals in handling the extra-curricular activities that go far beyond the extreme difficulty in preparing kids to play championship baseball.

Blaine Gillim is no doubt one of the most talented LHP in both KY and the nation. Gillim was well on his way in the summer of 2016 with the Scorpions under the tutelage of Brad Wilkerson and George Sandel. His game had risen to an extremely high level, and he was simply destroying hitters with an explosive upper-80s fastball and above average curveball, and his stock was on the rise among the country's best D-1 college programs and MLB scouts. Then, it snapped, and the young Gillim tore his UCL in Fort Myers in July 2016. Devastated, he stayed with his team...super talented Scorpions South 2017....until the end. Back home in Ohio County, KY he was blessed to contact Dr. Kremchek in Cincinnati to perform Tommy John surgery August 19, 2016. As on of the best UCL surgeons in the world, Gillim's surgery went great, and he was faced with the long, slow process of rehabilitation for 12-18 months. Fast-forward to today...almost 14 months since the scalpel cut into the premier Lefty's elbow, and Gillim is back with a vengeance. During his rehab, Gillim did it all and returned to the mound on July 15, 2017 for Owensboro Post 9 American Legion. In 3 outings and 8 innings, "Big Game" Blaine Gillim struck out 17, 3BB, and two new pitches....sweeping slider on both planes, and a split/change in development. He was almost untouchable, but his velocity was still developing through rehab. The kid grinded out rehab in Aug and Sept and returned to Fort Myers on Oct. 1, 2017 with the Scorpions. Facing the exact spot where he went to the ground in excruciating pain with a possible career-ending injury, Blaine Gillim made his intentions known as he pitched 3 innings, 5 Ks, 1BB against another talented Florida travel team. The math on Gillim is simple and remarkable....since injury, surgery, rehab, and return....11 innings, 22 Ks, 4 BB, and a velocity in the mid-80s with improved pitches, and movement. This kid has what it takes at the next levels....and that is obvious!! So....what's next for this talented young man? He will pitch in the biggest and most select tournament in the world Oct 19-23 with the Twins Scout Team/Scorpions. He has been invited to the biggest and most prestigious Showcase Oct 28-29 with Perfect Game. Afterward, he will take time off from throwing and focus on his off-season strength/conditioning, and his senior year at Ohio County High School. Then it's onto the June 2018 MLB draft or college. This kid's pitches are extremely difficult to pickup...and left hitters....forget it. By next Spring, his velocity should have fully returned and projects 90+. However, what makes this young man one of the best....he knows how to pitch and use his arsenal against hitters. He has a very high baseball IQ and it shows. I sure wouldn't want to be in the box with him on the mound before or since his comeback. Check him out....PG WWBA World Championships in Jupiter, FL Oct 19-23.....Those hitters best bring their "A" game, because they will be facing "A+" pitching from Blaine Gillim.

I think UL knows what they are doing. The kid must have some serious tools. Congrats to all....exciting stuff

Saw this kid pitch at LakePoint. He is tough. .real tough. Like all young ones, he struggles with command and is developing. Definitely has a bright future. Best of luck to him.

Same here...played D1 and coached D2 and NAIA. Done my fair share of recruiting. From a recruiting standpoint, it was a tough call. He had a lot of those intangibles you look for in a quality player and I simply thought he projected well. Scholarships are very limited.....no doubt. He needed a program to give him the opportunity....money wasn't the paramount issue I don't believe.

No...he can pitch at the D2 level. Also, JUCO doesn't always mean lower level. Look....there is a difference between pitching and throwing. Pitching requires deception...e.g movement, angle, release points, timing, change of speed. Give me a kid that can learn how to pitch....a smart kid....pitching is a thinking man's game. College baseball, in terms of execution, is fairly weak. Great athletes, but I notice they struggle with basic baseball strategy and knowledge. JUCO isn't an option for this young man.

He was seen and contacts were made. I just differ with the conclusion. The kid would have been effective and a good sign for the next level....in terms of a winning pitching staff. IMO, he had a very good shot at developing into a solid contributor to a collegiate pitching staff. He was a quality pitcher that got lost in the shuffle.

I agree with most of what has been said here. Certainly, a 82-85 fastball with nothing to go with it will get hit hard at the next level. In this case, the kid is definitely better than that simple scenario. More importantly, the.question when recruiting is....How much better can and will he develop? That is where the true skill in evaluating talent lies. Instinct, work-ethic, coachability, frame, family history, and spending time talking to the recruit.....all of that is very important in determining whether a player will succeed at a given level. Smart pitchers with good stuff who know how to get people out and understand the game.....love em. I will take them anytime over a thrower when it comes to winning games....at any level. Throwing and pitching are two very different things.