Pitcher Spin Rates: 2020 PBR of NC ProCase
February 13, 2020
Prep Baseball Report of North Carolina has quickly become the most trusted independent scouting source in North Carolina, and across the country. Each of the past two years, PBR of NC has hosted 20-30 of the top draft prospects in North Carolina as part of their ProCase. On February 9th, PBR of NC continued the tradition with 24 players performing in front of over 20 MLB Teams at Diamond Xtreme in Kernersville, NC.
Below we take an analytical look at the pitchers from the 2020 ProCase. PBR scouts use the Stalker Pro IIS to gather velocity and spin rate numbers from the bullpens. While just pure spin rates does not tell the complete story on any pitcher, it does gives us a look at some reasons why guys may be successful moving forward.CLICK HERE to see the roster and full statistical output from the ProCase
2020 ProCase By The Numbers:
- 11 players took part in the offensive portion of the day
- 8 players ran the 30 yard dash in under 4.00.
- All 11 players had an exit velocity of 88 mph or higher
- 13 pitchers threw bullpens
- 8 arms touched 90 mph or higher
- 1 record was smashed at the 2020 event - Positional velocity for catchers
Spin Rates - 2020 ProCase
TOP HIGH SPIN RATE FASTBALLS
Spin rates on the fastball can viewed in two ways. High spin fastballs tend to allow the pitch to play at a higher perceived velocity than the radar is reading. Hitters may say that the ball is jumping on them or exploding as it gets near the hitting zone. The high spin rate allows the pitch to create that affect to hitters. The median spin rate at the pro level on a fastball ranges from 2100 rpm to 2250 rpm. Typically the harder a player, or group of players, are throwing, that group will have a higher average spin rate. Fastballs that sit outside the norm, on the high end, are deemed to be high spin rate fastballs. Two arms at the ProCase consistently produced high spin on their fastballs.
TOP LOW SPIN RATE FASTBALLS
While it is good to be above the norm with the spin rate on a fastball, it is also good to be below the norm on the fastball spin rate. A low spin rate fastball typically has sinking action, working underneath swings, creating ground balls. Again velocity can matter in terms of the norm, so for the function of this article we are looking for low spin rate fastballs that play at the higher end of average for the high school level. Below are low spin rate fastballs from the PBR ProCase.
HIGH SPIN RATE BREAKING BALLS
The spin rate on a breaking ball is just the tip of the iceberg on the reasons why a breaking pitch may be effective. Spin direction and spin efficiency can be as big a determining factor as to whether the breaking pitch has late, hard action. The spin rate does gives us an idea as to whether a pitcher may have the ability to spin the ball effectively now or in the future. Below are the top highest spinning curve balls from and sliders from the ProCase.
Low Spin Rate Change-ups
The low spin rate on a change-up can create the fade effect that hitters can tend to complain about. While the spin rate only gives us one piece of why a pitch may move, it is a piece that we can build around. Pitchers with low spin rates that are not creating movement can make adjustments to grip and release to create the spin direction and spin efficiency needed. Below are the lowest spin rates on the change-up from pitchers at the ProCase.