Benchmarks

Average Vertical Jump by Age for Baseball Players

Vertical jump is the simplest test of lower-body explosiveness, and it correlates with both exit velocity and pitching velocity. Here is how baseball players typically test from age 7 through 18.

Vertical jump by age chart (7-18)

Average vertical jump by age table

AgeAverageElite (90th)
79.0 in14.0 in
810.0 in15.0 in
911.5 in16.5 in
1013.0 in18.0 in
1114.5 in19.5 in
1216.0 in21.0 in
1318.0 in23.0 in
1420.0 in25.5 in
1522.0 in27.5 in
1624.0 in29.5 in
1725.5 in31.0 in
1826.5 in32.0 in

How to measure it correctly

Standing countermovement jump measured with a Vertec or jump mat, best of 3 attempts.

Reading the numbers the right way

Averages describe a population, not a ceiling. Two players at the same age can be a full year apart in physical maturity, so treat these numbers as a starting reference point and focus on your own rate of improvement.

How to improve

Build the base first

Squat and hinge strength drive jump height. Get strong before adding heavy plyometric volume.

Jump fresh, not tired

Low-volume, high-quality jumps two to three times per week train the nervous system. Jumping while fatigued trains conditioning, not power.

Train the whole force curve

Pair heavy lifting with med-ball throws and short sprints so force is produced fast, not just produced.

Check your own percentile

Frequently asked questions

What is a good vertical jump for a high school baseball player?+

Around 24-26 inches is typical for a 16-18 year old, and 30+ inches is elite for that age group.

Does vertical jump predict exit velocity?+

Not perfectly, but higher jumpers tend to hit the ball harder because both depend on lower-body force production.

How is the vertical jump measured?+

A standing countermovement jump on a Vertec or jump mat, taking the best of three attempts.

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