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: Cespedes has some mind blowing velocity for being such a young arm. When evaluating '24 arms we typically don't see many guys sitting in the high 80's. To be throwing this kind of elite velocity this young, Cespedes is on a pretty good path for recruitment. At a working velo of 88 MPH, Cespedes would compare to the average 50% of all college arms, already! 

Spin Rate: Cespedes finds himself in the average 50% of high school arms as far as spin goes. So what this means is Cespedes throws a hard fastball that feels like a bowling ball due to the low spin. He gets slotted into the middle of the chart so this could mean he has bowling ball feel at times. What this does mean is Cespedes has the typical spin that a majority of high school pitchers also have; so if it does remain the same in his journey up the ranks in baseball, he will have to learn to put a huge emphasis on locating in his training because aside from velo, nothing sets him apart from the average arm at the moment. 

Bauer Units: With a max of 24 Bauer Units, it indicates that Cespedes is right on pace for his spin/velo. This by no means indicates that Cespedes has maxed out on his velo, it simply just means that at the moment it doesn't seem like he is a high or low spin pitcher.

Induced Vertical Break/Horizontal Break: With a mean score of 11.5" and a max of 14.8" this would slot Cristopher on the lower half of the IVB comparison chart for high school arms. He does in fact induce small amounts of sink and fade to his fastball. This gives him an advantage because at the moment he is above average in velo, average in spin and just barely above average in Bauer Units. Seeing as how he induces some sink and pairing that with his elite velo, it spells disaster for opposing hitter's thumbs and wooden bats. Cespedes would see a ton of success throwing to the bottom of the zone and to the right side of the plate exclusively. 

Curveball Breakdown

Spin Rate: Cespedes has flashes of throwing a top tier breaking ball. With 2223 RPM on his max measurement, this is a top 25% spin rate for high school curveballs. Again, seeing as how Cespedes is a '24, he has so much time to refine his curveball and gain even more ways to increase spin before he graduates. 

Horizontal/Vertical Break: When we look at horizontal movement (HM) you want to think about it on a number line scale from the pitcher's view to home. At pitcher's mound, the measurement would be zero if someone threw a pitch that didn't move to either side. If a pitch moves to the left, it is a negative number and if a pitch moves to the right it would be a positive number. Cespedes has the ability to induce some incredible movement on his curveball. Taking a look at max measurements we can see he induces 6.8" of depth downward and -10.5" of horizontal movement to his glove side. When we pair these together, it creates a top 25% breaking ball with good shape laterally. This pitch will end up being a sleepy curveball away from RHH and into a LHH back knee. Cespedes will be a dangerous arm in the coming years and will be a very well known name in the state of NY. Keep an eye out for the flame throwing young fella this spring!

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