Average Exit Velocity by Age: A Youth Baseball Benchmark Chart

What is exit velocity?

Exit velocity (or "exit velo") is the speed of the baseball the instant it comes off the bat, in miles per hour. It's one of the cleanest ways to see how hard a hitter is actually striking the ball, more directly than batting average, which depends on where the ball lands and what the defense does.

It's driven by two things: how fast the bat is moving (bat speed) and how squarely the ball is struck (contact quality). That's why two kids with the same bat speed can post very different exit velos.

Average exit velocity by age (chart)

Below are approximate ranges for exit velocity hit off a tee, where most youth measurements happen. Treat these as ballpark guides, not hard cutoffs, real numbers vary by player, bat (USA vs. BBCOR), and how the reading is taken.

What counts as a "good" exit velocity?

A "good" exit velo is one that's above the typical range for a player's age, roughly the top ~10%column above. For a 12-year-old, that's around 68+ mph off a tee; for a high-schooler, 90+ mph. College recruiters often look for 90+ mph off a tee from older high-school hitters.

That said, chasing a single "good" number can backfire for young players. A 9-year-old who muscles up for one big reading is less developed than one who repeats a solid, on-time swing.

Tee vs. live: why the number changes

The same hitter will usually post a higher exit velo on a well-timed pitch than off a tee, because the incoming pitch adds energy. That's why benchmarks should always note the method. For tracking a kid's progress, pick one setup, almost always off a tee, and keep it the same every time, so the comparison is honest.

Why exit velocity matters, and what matters more

Exit velocity is a great signal of raw power and squared-up contact. But for a developing hitter, consistency matters even more: a swing that repeats produces stable numbers and real, trackable improvement. One huge reading on a Tuesday tells you less than a month of steady ones.

That's the whole idea behind how we measure honestly, a trend tracker, not a radar gun.

How to measure and track it

You don't need a $10,000 cage. You can measure exit velocity at home with just your iPhone, and once a hitter has a baseline, the goal is simple: increase it over time with the right reps.

SwingDino's free exit velocity trackerreads your swings off the tee and shows the trend, so you can see a hitter climb their own chart, not just chase someone else's number. Try it free in the beta.