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June begins the summer circuit for recruiting and player evaluation.  One event that has become a "must" for players, coaches, and scouts in the Carolinas is the NC/SC Border Battle.  This year's event took returned to UNC Charlotte's Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium for two days of action, featuring 130 of the best players in NC and SC.  They did not disappoint. 

On Tuesday June 11th, the position players went through their offensive and defensive evaluations.  North Carolina worked out first taking multiple rounds of BP, followed by their defensive evaluations and athletic testing.  As North Carolina finished, South Carolina started with their athletic testing, defensive evals, and finally their offensive evaluation.  Coaches and scouts were able to see multiple rounds of BP from each player plus see them move around at their primary defensive position, getting a feel for their athleticism and feel for the game.

Wednesday June 12th was game day.  Each player was scheduled to play in one 9 inning game with pitchers throwing live to hitters.  In total, NC and SC squared off in 4 exciting games and the roster of the top players in the two states put on a show.

Below we begin the process of unpacking everything we saw at the high level event.  From stats to player notes, to a deep dive into some analytics, we will work to uncover everything these players did and all the numbers they put up at the two day event.  To see the full roster and full statistical package, CLICK HERE.

By the Numbers:

• 5 Players ran under 6.74 on the laser timing system
• 22 Players ran 7.00 or under
• 39 Players tested their vertical jump at 30in or above
• 20 Players saw at least one of their splits come in at 20mph or higher
• 17 Infielders saw their arm strength at 85mph or higher across the diamond
• 6 Outfielders tested with arm strength at 90mph or higher
• 13 Catchers posted a pop timed of 2.00 or under in the workout
• 5 hitters saw an exit velocity of 100mph or higher
• 78 hitters peaked their exit velocity at 90mph or better
• 6 hitters carried an average exit velocity of better than 90mph over two rounds of 8 swings
• 14 hitters posted a BLAST bat speed of 70mph or higher
• 189.7psi was the top grip strength posted at teh event
• 89.3mph was the top fastball velocity
• 10 arms were above 87mph on the day
• 3 arms saw their fastball spin rate above 2400rpm
• 2975rpm was the top breaking ball spin rate captured on the day
• 1 committed player took part in the event

TrackMan Pitching Leaders - NC/SC Border Battle

FASTBALL STATS

Peak Velocity

Average Effective Velocity

Effective velocity is taking into account the velocity of each pitch, its release distance, the pitches time to the plate / hitting area, and the pitches movement.  With all of this information, Effective Velocity is allowing coaches and scouts to more accurately compare how a pitch is affecting a hitter.

Peak Spin Rate

Average Spin Rate

Average Induced Vertical Movement

Induced vertical movement tracks how the ball rides through the zone, or sinks through the zone.  For the purpose of this board we are tracking which fastballs showed the most ride, typically leading to more swing and miss opportunities

Average Horizontal Movement

Horizontal movement is often referred to as run.  This measurement does not distinguish between early and late movement, just the overall amount the ball tracks to the arm side out of the hand.

Peak Spin Score

The Spin Score is a measurement linking velocity and spin.  It is calculated by dividing the spin rate by the velocity of each pitch.  

CURVEBALL STATS

Peak Velocity

Peak Spin Rate

Average Spin Rate

Average Induced Vertical Movement

This is a measurement of how much the ball drops from its original position and trajectory.  It does not measure how late the movement happens.  This can be referred to as depth on a breaking ball.

Average Horizontal Movement

Peak Spin Score

CHANGEUP STATS

Peak Velocity

Average Induced Vertical Movement

Average Horizontal Movement