Welcome back to Trackman Traits. In this piece we will be dissecting the numbers the Trackman produces and the effect they can have on a pitcher's approach. Below there will be definitions of each category that we believe to be the most important for a young arm to keep in mind as well as breaking down an arm and giving suggestions on how they can improve their game. Keep in mind, in some categories it is better to be further away from average even if the numbers are wavering on below average. 

FASTBALL VELOCITY

Fastball velocity doesn't go much deeper than just looking at the numbers and comparing them to the graphic below! Fastball velocity complements just about all of the other metrics that are measured. If you throw hard, it makes all your other pitches/metrics even better.

FASTBALL SPIN RATE

Spin rate is a measurement that if you are below average or above average, you can pitch with more room for error. On the other hand, if you are average you should try to throw in the bottom half of the zone with exceptional command. High spin fastballs profile as one that is frequently described as having "late life". Low spin fastballs tend to profile as a fastball that has heavy feel to it. Pitch movement is still dependent on spin direction of the pitch but Trackman does not have that metric displayed on profiles. 

BAUER UNITS

Bauer Units are an easier way of determining how useful the spin numbers are compared to the velocity. We can calculate this metric by taking average spin rate and dividing it by average velocity. Bauer Units are useful because we can have a case of two pitchers with the same spin numbers, ex. 2200 RPM, but one pitcher throws 90 MPH and the other throws 83 MPH. The pitcher throwing 90 MPH with 2200 spin is not as impressive as the pitcher throwing 83 MPH with the same spin. Typically, we would tell the harder throwing pitcher to throw up in the zone purely off his velocity and his high spin, but because his Bauer Units would equate to around 24 that would be only 1 unit off of average (23), therefore he would want to hammer the bottom of the zone. On the other side, the pitcher throwing 83 MPH has a Bauer Unit measurement of 26 which is incredibly impressive. This would allow him to throw up in the zone even though his velocity is not blow away type numbers because he produces above average spin with that slated velocity. 

FASTBALL INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK

As far as deception and importance goes, fast induced vertical break (IVB) may be the most important. Induced vertical break is not what is sounds. IVB simply means the pitch is "breaking" upward from the average level a pitch falls from release to home plate. This is a stat that you want to stay away from being average at. Fortunately, this can be tweaked slightly depending on release height. To put it simply, the higher number =  more "rise" the pitch has compared to average. Lower number = more depth the pitch has to it. 

VERTICAL APPROACH ANGLE

Vertical Approach Angle (VAA) is essentially how steep or shallow the ball is entering the strike zone. The average entry into the zone is around -5.5 degrees for the Division 1 college level. Anything below or above that number is considered an outlier and would be ideal because it is not what the hitter is used to seeing. A VAA of -4.5 degrees would be considered a shallow entry, this, with some other variables mixed in (IVB, velocity, release height), allow for success up in the zone due to the "ride" or even sometimes "rising" effect. A VAA of -6 degrees would be considered a steep entry. This is the type of ball that has a lot of success in the bottom of the zone (including the same variables mentioned previously) because it feels like the pitcher is throwing it off Mt Everest. With the perfect combination of low IVB and high release it could be a very steep entry that would be hard to hit. 

 

Fastball Breakdown

Velocity: Batista runs his fastball up to pretty exceptional numbers for being a 2023 arm. He oozes athleticism and quick twitchy ability in all facets of the game. He is slated to be a power arm in the coming years with elite velo. As of this spring, he topped at 90 MPH and sat 88-89 MPH in a scout day bullpen. This would put him in the top 10% of high school arms and puts him in very good spot for opportunities at the next level. 

Spin Rate: Batista can definitely run his fastball at elite numbers, but he can also spin the heck out of it. Spin rate at the moment is something no one knows why some people have exceptionally high spin. Right now, it's just something people consider a gift. Batista has that gift of being able to spin the baseball with absurdly high numbers. High spin + high velo = increased movement in whatever manner the baseball in being tilted upon release. We dive into movement profile further down the article and it is definitely something worth taking a look at.  

Bauer Units: As we have discussed Bauer Units in the past, we know that this measurement is an easy way to determine how much spin a guy should have for their given velocity. Batista has spin way above what his velocity would indicate. This means that either he is in for a bigger velo jump in the future or he will continue to cruise along with exceptional velo with unbelievable spin numbers. Either way, this is beneficial for Batista's arsenal right now and in the future. 

Induced Vertical Break: Batista does not have crazy vertical break numbers. He actually has incredibly LOW vertical break numbers. What he does have going for him on the heater is his horizontal movement. When the fastball is dialed in with the tilt he induces, he generates 17 inches of horizontal movement. This would post him completely off the charts for fastball numbers. This is where the exceptional spin numbers come in. With great spin comes big movement numbers. Batista is throwing a big sinker that runs in on RHH and away from LHH. Batista is a power arm that could develop into a power sinker baller. This would pose him as a ground ball pitcher that occasionally gets swings and misses. I have seen Batista in action on the mound and there is no reason he can't meet or even exceed these expectations. One more thing that isn't typically mentioned in these articles is the off speed arsenal. Batista possess a legit swing and miss slider that fits in perfectly with his sinker baller fastball movement. This combo will be lethal with two pitches moving the opposite directions in a big way. Hammering fastballs down in the zone and sliders away from RHH will be Batista's bread and butter.

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