Data Dive: Fastball Spin Rate - '25 RHP Ross Yoshida (Nichols School)
October 10, 2024 Joe Walentin PBR Staff
FASTBALL SPIN RATE
In baseball, the fastball is one of the most important pitches in a pitcher’s arsenal. One factor that can make a fastball even more effective is its spin rate. But what exactly is spin rate, and why does a higher spin rate benefit pitchers? Let’s break it down.
What is Spin Rate?
Spin rate refers to how fast the baseball spins as it leaves the pitcher’s hand. It’s measured revolutions per minute (RPM). The higher the RPM, the faster the ball is spinning. Spin rate plays a big role in how the baseball behaves as it travels to the plate.
Why Does Spin Rate Matter?
A high spin rate can impact two key aspects of a fastball:
1. Perceived Rise: A fastball with a high spin rate doesn’t actually rise, but it drops less than a fastball with lower spin. This makes the pitch appear to “jump” or rise as it reaches the hitter, making it much harder to hit.
2. Late Movement: The faster spin also affects the way the ball moves late in its flight path. A high spin fastball can “ride” through the strike zone, causing hitters to swing under it or miss entirely.The Benefits for Pitchers
Here’s why pitchers want a high spin rate on their fastball:
1. More Strikeouts: Because high-spin fastballs tend to stay up in the zone, hitters often misjudge them, leading to more swings and misses. Pitchers with high spin rates often have higher strikeout rates.
2. Deception: The unique movement of a high-spin fastball makes it harder for hitters to track and time. It can look like the pitch is slower or faster than it really is, adding an element of deception.
3. Pairing with Other Pitches: A fastball with a high spin rate works even better when paired with off-speed pitches like a curveball or slider. The contrast between the sharp rise of a high-spin fastball and the drop of a breaking pitch makes it difficult for hitters to adjust.
Ideal Spin Rate for Fastballs
There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” ideal spin rate, but generally, fastballs with spin rates over 2,300 RPM are considered high. Major League pitchers with elite fastballs, such as Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom, often have spin rates in the 2,400-2,600 RPM range.
Conclusion
A high spin rate on a fastball can give pitchers a big advantage by making the pitch harder to hit, increasing strikeouts, and adding deception. While velocity is still important, spin rate has become a key focus in modern baseball, helping pitchers refine their craft and dominate hitters.
Scouting Report
When we last saw Ross in the pre-season his FB was explosive. The velocity sat 88-89 MPH with an average spin rate of 2324 RPM while peaking at 2399 RPM. This puts him in the top percentage of HS players for FB spin rate and would be top 10% at the collegiate level in Spin Rate. Ross's FB generated a Hop+ score of 115, above the average MLB Hop+ score of 100. A fastball with hop has a flat approach angle and visually jumps through the zone. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher swing-and-miss average. Spin Rate is one of the main metrics focused on but other metrics such as release height, Induced vertical break, and extension at release play a role in the perception/deception of a pitch. In Ross's case, he has a lower 5-foot-1 release height which adds to the rising perception. Pair that with an above-average IVB reaching 20 inches and 6-foot-3 inches of extension, His FB will appear to get on a hitter quickly and hop through the zone. If Ross can command this pitch at the top of the zone he is likely to collect a lot of whiffs and induce weak contact in the air.
FASTBALL SPIN RATE
In baseball, the fastball is one of the most important pitches in a pitcher’s arsenal. One factor that can make a fastball even more effective is its spin rate. But what exactly is spin rate, and why does a higher spin rate benefit pitchers? Let’s break it down.
What is Spin Rate?
Spin rate refers to how fast the baseball spins as it leaves the pitcher’s hand. It’s measured revolutions per minute (RPM). The higher the RPM, the faster the ball is spinning. Spin rate plays a big role in how the baseball behaves as it travels to the plate.
Why Does Spin Rate Matter?
A high spin rate can impact two key aspects of a fastball:
1. Perceived Rise: A fastball with a high spin rate doesn’t actually rise, but it drops less than a fastball with lower spin. This makes the pitch appear to “jump” or rise as it reaches the hitter, making it much harder to hit.
2. Late Movement: The faster spin also affects the way the ball moves late in its flight path. A high spin fastball can “ride” through the strike zone, causing hitters to swing under it or miss entirely.The Benefits for Pitchers
Here’s why pitchers want a high spin rate on their fastball:
1. More Strikeouts: Because high-spin fastballs tend to stay up in the zone, hitters often misjudge them, leading to more swings and misses. Pitchers with high spin rates often have higher strikeout rates.
2. Deception: The unique movement of a high-spin fastball makes it harder for hitters to track and time. It can look like the pitch is slower or faster than it really is, adding an element of deception.
3. Pairing with Other Pitches: A fastball with a high spin rate works even better when paired with off-speed pitches like a curveball or slider. The contrast between the sharp rise of a high-spin fastball and the drop of a breaking pitch makes it difficult for hitters to adjust.
Ideal Spin Rate for Fastballs
There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” ideal spin rate, but generally, fastballs with spin rates over 2,300 RPM are considered high. Major League pitchers with elite fastballs, such as Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom, often have spin rates in the 2,400-2,600 RPM range.
Conclusion
A high spin rate on a fastball can give pitchers a big advantage by making the pitch harder to hit, increasing strikeouts, and adding deception. While velocity is still important, spin rate has become a key focus in modern baseball, helping pitchers refine their craft and dominate hitters.
Scouting Report
When we last saw Ross in the pre-season his FB was explosive. The velocity sat 88-89 MPH with an average spin rate of 2324 RPM while peaking at 2399 RPM. This puts him in the top percentage of HS players for FB spin rate and would be top 10% at the collegiate level in Spin Rate. Ross's FB generated a Hop+ score of 115, above the average MLB Hop+ score of 100. A fastball with hop has a flat approach angle and visually jumps through the zone. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher swing-and-miss average. Spin Rate is one of the main metrics focused on but other metrics such as release height, Induced vertical break, and extension at release play a role in the perception/deception of a pitch. In Ross's case, he has a lower 5-foot-1 release height which adds to the rising perception. Pair that with an above-average IVB reaching 20 inches and 6-foot-3 inches of extension, His FB will appear to get on a hitter quickly and hop through the zone. If Ross can command this pitch at the top of the zone he is likely to collect a lot of whiffs and induce weak contact in the air.
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