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. 

CURVEBALL SPIN RATE

Spin rate on curveballs is pretty simple: higher spin = nastier stuff. There are some ways to manipulate spin numbers slightly but for the most part spin is spin. At the moment, there are no well known ways to change your spin in a big way. Spin not only dictates how sharp your curveball is, but it can also aid in keeping hitters honest by having similar rotation matching that of your fastball. 

 

 

Fastball Breakdown

Velocity: Chamberlin possesses some quality velocity. He has the ability to over power hitters with his fastball and has above average command. Falling in the top 10% among high school arms for velocity, Chamberlin is immediately in the spotlight for recruitment simply off of velocity. 

Spin Rate: Chamberlin is a low spin pitcher through and through. Whether he likes it or not, this is how it will be for the rest of his career. As said before in many previous articles, it is not a bad thing by any means to be a low spin pitcher. It is good when you are far from average in either direction. Coming in around 1874 RPM, Chamberlin finds himself among the top 75% of high school arms for spin rate. With this information alone we know that Chamberlin will a bottom of the zone pitcher. 

Bauer Units: With a max of 23 Bauer Units, it indicates that Chamberlin is right on pace for his spin/velo. He does not induce any more spin than what would be considered "average" for his velocity level. Judging by his spin rate and Bauer Unit measurements, Chamberlin will more than likely be a bottom of the zone, heavy fastball arm. 

Induced Vertical Break/Horizontal Break: With Chamberlin coming in with 17.5" of IVB it would put him around the top 75% of high school arms. Theres no coincidence that his spin rate and IVB match up with what level they fall on. Although there are times when he induces a certain combination of velocity and spin that allows his ball to fly a little better through the air and that would be the times when he is coming in around 21" of IVB. For the most part, Chamberlin should use his low spin and IVB to his advantage and hammer the bottom half of the zone. Another reason he should focus on the bottom half of the zone is because he doesn't induce much horizontal movement on the ball. This means he is throwing a flat, sinking fastball. If he can figure out how to garner his 10" of horizontal movement he can get at times, he could attacks hitters with his arm side fastball using his movement to his advantage. 

Curveball Breakdown

Spin Rate: Chamberlin also throws a low spin curveball. Spin with a curveball is a somewhat different scenario than it is with a fastball. You want as much spin on a curveball as you can to aid in the movement and depth of the pitch. Spin can sometimes be drastically altered if you are throwing a curveball with poor spin efficiency. This can be fixed by simply messing with different curveball grips and finding which one produces the most depth. Right now though, it appears Chamberlin is throwing it a certain way to induce some crazy moment because he only falls into the top 25% of HS arms for curveball spin. 

Horizontal/Vertical Break: Despite his low spin on his curveball, Chamberlin produces some gaudy movement profile numbers. This is sort of a mind boggler, but for right now we'll forget the science and fancy numbers and just break down how sick this pitch is. With 16.9" of depth on his curveball, he's actually inducing the same amount of movement that the top 10% of big leaguers do on their curveballs. I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty awesome. Mix that together with 8" of horizontal movement, which is just about average when you look at the charts, you have a pretty disgusting curveball on your hands. This is what the people in the business call a "hammer curveball". It is a true swing and miss breaking ball that also has the ability to be thrown in early counts. Chamberlin is a player to watch as soon as he steps between the lines, but I think he will establish himself on the mound in a big way this spring. Can't wait to watch him throw the bender.

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