The journey from 67 MPH to 84 MPH is not a straight path. It’s a test of commitment, resilience, and a willingness to embrace adversity. Here’s how VeloU’s remote pitching training program helped Vito Mannino undergo a remarkable transformation and achieve his goals.
In the fall of 2022, Vito joined VeloU’s online baseball training program with a top velocity of 67 MPH and a history of shoulder and elbow discomfort.
Vito’s initial evaluation highlighted two key areas for improvement:
Building strength and increasing body weight were critical for his development.
His throwing motion was stiff and rigid, requiring more freedom and athleticism to unlock his potential.
After six months of focused training and weight gain, Vito’s progress was evident:
Using an arm care device, we tracked his strength as it improved from 120 pounds of force to 137 pounds—a 15% increase.
Vito’s movement became more fluid and athletic, allowing him to throw more naturally and efficiently.
The result? A 12 MPH jump in velocity to 79 MPH.
While the velocity gains were impressive, they came with risks. A rapid 12 MPH increase places significant stress on the arm. For muscles, ligaments, and tendons to safely handle the additional force, they must develop strength and durability in parallel.
With his history of arm issues, Vito was at heightened risk for injury. In the summer of 2023, he began experiencing elbow discomfort and was diagnosed with a low-grade UCL tear.
After a period of rest and recovery, our primary focus was rebuilding Vito’s shoulder and elbow strength to their maximum potential. Through a targeted arm care program, Vito’s arm strength increased from 137 pounds of force to 159 pounds of force.
Strength is the best defense against injury, and this improvement significantly reduced Vito’s risk of future setbacks.
From a throwing mechanics perspective, we honed in on limiting early torso rotation—a movement flaw that previously caused his arm to drop and exposed his elbow to stress. With dedicated drills, Vito corrected this and returned stronger than ever.
Fast forward to the winter of 2024-2025, and Vito has reached 84 MPH. He feels healthier and more confident than ever, positioning himself as a strong prospect for his recruiting year.