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: Henrich falls into the top 25% for high school velo on his trackman recorded pitches. He has been recorded at 87 MPH later in October 2020. His velo will not set him apart from the pack initially but it will give him an advantage moving forward, especially when it comes to pitch design and developing his "stuff". 

Spin Rate: His fastball spin rate (SR) will aid in how he can throw his fastball and where he throws it as well. He does possess a top 10% spin rate for high school arms. Knowing what we know about SR, we can assume that some time down the road his velo will catch up with his elite spin rate. Counting on physical maturation and strength increasing as he continues to grow, the velocity will definitely come around to stay. 

Bauer Units: Henrich has a Bauer Unit measurement of 27. As we know that league average among major league arms is 22-23, this means nothing but good things for Kevin. The higher the Bauer Unit measurement, the higher the velocity ceiling is typically. We now know that with his valuable spin he will own a fastball that has that ride or extra life to it once he can reach his velo ceiling.

Induced Vertical Break: At the moment, Henrich has top 90% IVB numbers among high school athletes. This can be summed up to velocity. Although velocity is not an end all be all when developing as a pitcher, it sure does help. In this case it would be extremely helpful for Henrich to throw his fastball with good velo. Keep in mind, we can only make this analysis off the numbers we have present. When Henrich was recorded at the Underclass Fall World Series, he was throwing remarkably harder, but sadly no Trackman numbers were recorded for him. So remember, his IVB numbers for example could be far higher with the added velo.

Curveball Breakdown

Spin Rate: Henrich has one of the highest curveball spin rates we have seen thus far in Trackman Traits. With an average of 2765 RPM it would set him in the top 10% in high school and NCAA levels. If that isn't impressive enough, Henrich's curveball possess spin better than nearly half of the MLB breaking balls recorded by Trackman. 

 Horizontal/Vertical Break: Henrich's IVB is outstanding. Not only does his curveball have wild spin but it has incredible depth to it as well. The depth can be traced directly back to his spin numbers. On top of the spin and depth, the HM movement is off the charts too for the high school level. The pitch, on paper, appears to would appear to be a sweepy curveball rather than more of a tall breaking pitch. 

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