Trackman Traits: 2024 RHP/SS Brady Myers (Central Mountain)

Pitching Analysis

Myers has a quality 3- pitch mix with high spin, swing and miss stuff. The Fastball sat 85-86 MPH at the Preseason ID back in February landing him in the top 25% for high school pitchers. The separator for the fastball is the spin rate and movement. The spin rate up to 2317 RPM puts him just outside the top 10% and gives his FB a spin score of 27, the 21" induced vertical break to go along with the spin rate gives it life and ride through the zone to play up a tick with the ability to get plenty of swing and misses. The curveball also has a spin rate just outside the top 10% at 2446 RPM. The near 12-6 shape with an average of -9" vertical drop gives him a quality out pitch. The Changeup, with a 6-7 MPH differential off the FB with up to 16" arm side run rounds off the 3-pitch mix that flashes movement in all 4 directions.

Myers is having an impressive spring  0.86 ERA / 24.1 IP /  16 H / 3 ER / 8 BB / 35 K 

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. 

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. 

BREAKINGBALL SPIN RATE

Spin rate on breakingballs 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 breakingball is, but it can also aid in keeping hitters honest by having similar rotation matching that of your fastball.