Casey Roche from Diamond Kinetics administered a Swing Tracker hitting station at the Super 60 Pro Showcase on Feb. 5. Roche, who helps implement Diamond Kinetics’ Swing Tracker with top college programs across the country, broke down Jake Taylor’s swing using the analytics from the Swing Tracker station. Taylor, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound Oklahoma State recruit, put on an offensive show at the Super 60.

By Casey Roche
Diamond Kinetics

Jake Taylor, a right-handed hitting catcher from Oklahoma, was rocketing balls to all fields in BP at the Super 60 Pro Showcase. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given some of the eye-popping data we collected using Diamond Kinetics SwingTracker.

Taylor’s Max Barrel Speed was a scorching 83 mph, which came in as the second-highest at the Super 60. Beyond bat speed, Taylor’s ability to keep the barrel in the zone is what set him apart. Taylor’s average length in the hitting zone was an unbelievable 38 inches. Our database has the average high school player being in the zone for 33 inches. Hitting is truly a game of inches, or even millimeters. Because Taylor’s barrel gets in the zone so early, he’ll more easily handle velocity. Getting the barrel in the zone and on plane early allows a hitter to make contact deeper. Doing so gives the hitter a few more precious milliseconds to make up their mind.

Taylor also keeps the barrel in zone well after contact, which may help him stay on off-speed pitches. In BP, Jake produced very hard hit balls with good launch angles. We measured the “Approach Angle” for Taylor’s swing, and his average came out to be +6 degrees, meaning he swings slightly up. What’s remarkable about this is the average fastball comes in at -6 degrees. Talk about matching the plane of the pitch!

The net result was an impressive two rounds of BP. See for yourself:

Scouting Report from the Super 60:
Oklahoma State recruit. 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, muscular build, defined lower half, strong forearms and hands. Offensively, was a clear standout, arguably the top right-handed bat at the Super 60. Advanced, quiet approach at the plate. Generates premium bat speed with little effort, simple and strong to the ball, barrel stays flat through zone for extended time, consistently barreled balls, center cut, to both power alleys with backspin carry. Mechanically quiet, repeats well, rhythm in hand load, maintains excellent balance through contact, stays strong through the ball. Registered 104 mph exit velocity with wood, second-best at the event. Highly athletic feet for his stature. Agile behind the plate, concise footwork out of the chute, moves well laterally, ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. Solid receiver, shows soft hands, blocks well, flexibility in the hips, low setup, strong base. Pop times ranged between 2.01-2.05, average carry and accuracy, 76 mph from the crouch.   

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