Inside the Data: ProPlay AI

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Creating a movement baseline using ProPlayAI for tracking on consistently can allow for quick adjustments when something gets off.  He came in as PBR’s 116th ranked RHP nationally, and 19th ranked RHP in the competitive state of California. At the time of writing this, Zach is uncommitted. 

Player Name: Zach Brown

Position/Grad Yr.: RHP, 2023

Ht/Wt.: 6-5 205 

Bat/Throw: R/R 

Team Name: Villa Park Spartans 

Coach Name: Burt Call

1. How did you use PitchAI to identify what change to make in your delivery?  

   • Zach: The information and videos made identifying what I needed to target easy.  

2. Sample drills or exercises to make the change?   

   • Zach: Knowing my elbow flexion was bad, I used pivot pickoffs to make sure I got my arm back into the right arm path. I got back to using the Driveline program on a regular basis to maintain the right arm path.  

3. What did you track when trying to make a change?  

   • Zach: During the process, I tracked elbow flexion and velocity.  

4. How long did the change take? 

   • Zach: Realistically the change took about 6 weeks.  

5. What impact has it had on the field? 

   • Zach: I’ve had more confidence than ever when I’m on the mound right now. I think it had a lot to do with me knowing what I was doing right, and wrong and the start of the season. I have totally found it, and I’m excited to see where it takes me the rest of the season and going into summer ball. 

ONE ON ONE 

This Q&A shows the ability to listen and make adjustments, and that never stops at any level of sports. Thanks Zach for giving us a peek into how you turned your season around using the tools and great resources at your disposal.  

• How did you use PitchAI to identify what change to make in your delivery? It was very easy to tell that in my first videos I had a lot wrong with me. I knew it wasn’t going to be an overnight fix but when I was able to figure out what was wrong I was able to target those things and find the right drill for the fix.

• Sample drills or exercises to make the change?  I’ve been using Driveline for the past two years now. I think that has helped me a bunch. Two years ago when Les  saw me in Georgia at the future games, that's when I had a driveline program set and I was doing it almost everyday. I got away from that a little bit the past year and I think it hurt me. When I realized how bad my elbow flexion was I knew I need to do some pivot pickoffs to make sure I got my arm back into the right arm path 

• What did you track when trying to make a change? The easiest thing for me to track during the process was to see where my velo was at. I have to get my driveline in before I start every game now. Personally when I don’t do it now I know how awful my arm will feel. It has helped me get my feel for my pitches back but also add on velo and helped me just throw harder as the season goes on, which I think is a direct Correlation with my arm path and all the mechanics that follow that. 

• How long did the change take? Les saw me in my second start of the season, which may have been the worst. My first outing before Les saw me, I was pretty damn good, had everything going that day. I just didn’t feel consistent. After Les saw me in my second start I continued to struggle a little bit to just find my mechanics again. I was working harder than ever and I knew I was just one adjustment away. In recent bullpens I had been throwing better and better every time and I knew it was just coming that I was going to have a great start. Couldn’t be happier that I was able to perform with help of all the data that I was receiving during the year. Realistically though it took me about 6ish weeks to get back on track and get my dominance back which I feel like I have received since that Notre Dame start. I had another appearance last week and it was pretty good again and now with consistent drills and wanting it so bad I think everything is starting to shape out pretty nicely. 

• What impact has it had on the field? I’ve had more confidence than ever when I’m on the mound right now. I want the rock in any situation that happens. I love the tough moment right now because I feel like that is what truly battletests you. The better I’ve gotten through the season I think had a lot to do with me knowing what I was doing right, and wrong at the start of the season. It has been a long time coming since I had been really good, but the fact I feel as if I have totally found it, has me excited to see where it takes me the rest of the season and going into summer ball.