The TrackMan Arsenal Analysis is an overview of a pitcher’s data captured by the same optically-enhanced radar technology found at Major League stadiums. 

This data has become significantly important for high school, Juco and 4-year players. College programs have evolved beyond radar velocity readings, looking deeper into a pitcher's ability to spin and move the ball. In addition to velocity, TrackMan provides pitchers with valuable data points such as spin rate, spin direction, horizontal movement, vertical movement and more. Ultimately providing feedback to college coaches, MLB scouts and the players themselves; to enhance training and also to identify prospects of interest above and beyond simple velocity readings.

At select PBR Showcases and Events, amateur players now have access to the same technology shared by professionals and are able to see how their pitching arsenal compares with those across the state and the country. The TrackMan Arsenal Analysis will highlight those metrics and explain the benefits behind the numbers. 

[For a complete glossary of terms and definitions, please CLICK HERE]

Sam Malec, RHP, Woodbury, 2021

At the Midwest Pro Day in Iowa this past September, Woodbury’s Sam Malec maxed his fastball at 93.05 miles per hour. 

That put it not only in the top 10% of high school arms captured by Trackman but in the top 10% of NCAA ones as well. During the event the right-hander settled in at the 90-to-92 range -- again at the highest tier among high school velocity. 

Based on that fact alone, it’s no small wonder why the University of Minnesota was interested in the right-hander. But Malec’s arsenal contains so much more than just big velo energy. His impressive tools earned him the opportunity to showcase his stuff at the Super 60 event in February and the movement he can generate did not disappoint. 

At the national event, Malec’s fastball demonstrated a spin rate just under 2,199 RPMs on average -- falling within the top 25% of high school spin rate. According to his Bauer Units, Malec’s fastball maxed out at 25 BUs. What this metric tells us is that based on the spin rate and velocity, his current fastball profiles best as a bottom of the zone pitch where he can allow that natural run-and-sink to play out. 

With his low three-quarters release point, he is able to generate a lot of arm side run, averaging an impressive 17.4 inches of horizontal movement. This was the fourth highest horizontal movement among the Super 60 participants.

Not surprisingly, his 8.6 inches of average induced vertical break (IVB) falls in the bottom half of all high schoolers in that category. This was a noticeable change from his Midwest Pro Day event in September when his fastball had an IVB of 14 inches. This is notable because at least one pro organization says they encourage their pitchers to have fastballs above 16 inches or below 12 inches of vertical movement. Staying below that 12-inch mark is optimal for pitchers like Malec. 

He balances the running and sinking fastball with a sharp action slider and darting changeup.

Malec’s slider is a solid complementary pitch to his arm-side running fastball. He throws his slider between 78-81 (a good 10-plus mph difference off his fastball) with a very impressive 18.6 inches of horizontal movement to his glove-side. At one point Malec tossed a slider that recorded 20.9 inches of horizontal movement -- the highest east-west break recorded at the Super 60. 

 

 

 

Between the fastball and the slider Malec can achieve an average of 32 inches of total break east-to-west across the zone. This gives hitters a lot of real estate to defend. 

Malec’s changeup is not your prototypical Bugs Bunny slow change, but the movement gives it plenty of swing-and-miss potential. 

At 83-to-85 MPH with 2,181 RPMs, if his changeup were a fastball, it would fall within the top 25% of high school velocity and spin. It moves more like a power sinker with a whopping 19 inches of horizontal movement (4th highest at the Super 60) with sinking action. This pairs well with his fastball as the two share similar movement patterns but the changeup’s velocity disrupts timing and the added run can stay away from the hitter's barrel. 

With this impressive three-pitch mix, it’s easy to see why the University of Minnesota is excited to have Sam Malec on the mound wearing maroon-and-gold.

 

	Velo (Max)	Avg Spin	Vert. (inches)	Hor. (inches)
Fastball	92.53	2,199	8.6	17.4
Slider	81.22	2,494	-1.3	-18.6
Changeup	85.74	2,181	1.0	19.0

*Data from the Super 60 in February 2021.

 

Parker Hageman has published data analysis for over a decade. In addition to co-founding Twins Daily, he has contributed to ESPN, Baseball Prospectus, Star Tribune and WCCO. He is currently an assistant coach at Chanhassen (Minn.) High School. You can follow him on Twitter at @HagemanParker.