2 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

I do wonder if it makes a difference that Steer got the out and the velocity on that throw was sufficient. Do the brains of infielders and muscle memory help gauge the velocity necessary for a throw upon seeing a runner? Was his max velocity necessary on that play?

Fun thing about actually playing the game, is adrenaline.

Brain/muscle memory definitely is the big part, but I guarantee a position player will throw it harder when his brain/muscles tell him it's needed in a game, than he will in say, a practice situation. 

Elite infielder arms average around high 80's on their throws, and max out around 95 MPH.

Elite outfielder arms can max out over 100 MPH.

But if Albert Pujols (who can't run) smokes one at the shortstop and it's in his glove before he's even out of the batter's box, that fielder is not going to make a high velocity throw for the out. Fielder's against Buxton, as an example on the other end of the spectrum, are going to speed everything up and get some extra juice from adrenaline trying to beat him to first.

I'd love to see a stat like that, which player gets the highest average velocity throws to first on grounders.

52 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

How did he recognize the velocity needed while being unable to see the runner on what was obviously going to be a close play no matter how strong the arm? Must be some wicked good precognition skills. I didn't see his magic grade in the scouting reports. Must be 80 grade.

Sorry, I disagree.  It is quite normal for the defender to be focused on the ball instead of the runner.  Announcers calling games reference the infielders "internal clock" quite regularly when describing these plays.  In other words, the defender should be well aware of who is at bat and also know instinctively how much time has elapsed and therefore the relative need to speed up their actions and/or how hard they have to throw.