College Campus I.D. Greensboro: Analytical Review of Pitchers
October 16, 2019
PBR continued its pursuit to identify the top players in the state of North Carolina on Thursday October 10, 2019 at War Memorial Stadium, home of the North Carolina A&T Aggies, as part of the College Campus ID. Players in attendance were able to go through a full pro-style workout with PBR Scouts collecting stats, notes, and video. In the coming days, PBR will post a full statistical breakdown as well as complete look at each player in attendance with video and an evaluation.
As part of the bullpen sessions for the pitchers, each arm threw the PitchLogic Baseball by F5 Sports. The PitchLogic Baseball allows each pitch thrown to report back several statistics and advanced analytics to an app downloaded to a phone. Each pitch is logged as well, allowing PBR to build reports after the event for each pitcher in attendance.
Below we take a look at some of the information gathered by the PitchLogic Baseball. There is also a brief explanation of some of the analytics gathered and reported on. The PitchLogic Baseball allows for quick feedback in a bullpen setting as pitchers are working to create high end stuff.
You can see the full statistical results from the College Campus ID in Greensboro by CLICKING HERE.
College Campus ID in Greensboro: Analytics from F5 Sports and the PitchLogic Baseball for Pitchers
Notes:
- Recorded velocities listed in each player's statistics are from the Stalker Radar gun, tracking each pitch. The velocities between the Stalker Radar and the PitchLogic Baseball were typically within 1 mph.
- Total Spin (rpm): The total amount of rotations per minute put on the baseball out of the hand
- Spin Efficiency: Ratio of transverse to total spin... simple meaning is a higher efficiency yields more movement
- Backspin: Component of total spin that generates vertical breaking force... does a fastball hold its trajectory (average), seem to rise, or play above the trajectory (high rate), play below the trajectory (low rate)
- Sidespin: Component of total spin that generates horizontal breaking force. In the charts below, a negative sidespin denotes spin that would cause movement back toward the arm side... a sinking or running type fastball.
- Riflespin: Component of total spin that does not contribute to any breaking force. A high rifle spin will hinder movement.
To see a breakdown of the PitchLogic metrics and the pitching analysis tools, visit www.PitchLogic.com
Fastball Spin Rates
The average fastball spin rate at the MLB level can range from 2050 - 2250 rpm. The average at the high school level will be lower, but can be hard to track as most pitchers that are getting spin rate readings, are typically more advanced. When looking at fastball spin rates, coaches and scouts are looking for pitchers that are outside the norm. High spin rate fastball, typically, tend to ride on hitter, creating swing and miss, and playing at the top of the strike zone. Low spin rate guys, typically, are creating some sink on their fastball, or the appearance that the fastball is diving.
The pure spin rate does not tell the whole story on any one pitch. Coaches and scouts are also evaluating spin efficiency and spin direction. They also want to see some consistency, pitch-to-pitch, on the release point.
CLICK HERE to see the list of pitchers, and a link to their PBR Profiles.
Change-Up Spin Rates
The change-up has evolved as players and coaches are getting use to using advanced analytics. Pitchers that can mimic their arm slot and arm speed while taking 7-10 mph off their fastball, can create issues for hitters. Pitchers can also create issues by mimicking their fastball slot and hand speed while producing a pitch with much lower spin rate, even if the pitch does not take 7-10 mph off the fastball. The lower spin rate, and deception out of the hand, can get hitters with the movement created on the pitch. Below is a look at each pitcher that threw a change-up in their bullpen with a look at their spin rate and efficiency on the change.
Breaking Ball Spin Rates
Typically bigger spin can mean bigger break, but again on the breaking ball the spin efficiency can play a part. There are also studies that show the speed of the pitch can affect if the spin rate has a chance to take hold and create the break a pitcher is looking for. Below is a look at each pitcher that threw his breaking ball and what the analytics of each pitch looked like with the PitchLogic baseball.
Curveball
Cutter
Slider