Top Prospect Games: Underclass - Data Dive, Pitchers
June 12, 2023
On June 6th, we hosted Class of 2025-2027 grads at the Top Prospect Games: Underclass. This event featured over 100 prospects from Georgia, and it provided our staff with an in-depth look at some high-follow players into the summer and next spring.
Inside today’s Pitching Data dive we will highlight the players with top metrics per Trackman.
Last week, we broke down the stat leaders from the more traditional categories in our statistical analysis. Today, we will take an even closer look at the pitchers in attendance with the help of our tech partners, broken down by the categories and leaderboards below.
FASTBALL
MAX VELOCITY (MPH)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
1 | KJ Hart | GA | River Ridge | 2025 | OF | 90.7 mph |
2 | Landon Ludwig | GA | BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 90.3 mph |
3 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | 89.6 mph |
4 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 88.9 mph |
5 | Walker Roberts | GA | Gatewood School | 2025 | RHP | 88.8 mph |
6 | Clayton Hicks | GA | Evans | 2025 | RHP | 88.3 mph |
7 | Parker Bryant | GA | West Laurens | 2025 | RHP | 87.5 mph |
8 | Reece Grodeman | GA | Model High | 2026 | RHP | 87.4 mph |
9 | Branson Crawford | GA | North Hall | 2026 | C | 86.9 mph |
10 | Steven Harshbarger | GA | Harlem | 2025 | C | 85.9 mph |
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Grayson McCollum | GA | Wesleyan School | 2025 | SS | 2340 rpm |
2 | Parker Bryant | GA | West Laurens | 2025 | RHP | 2305 rpm |
3 | Steven Harshbarger | GA | Harlem | 2025 | C | 2259 rpm |
4 | Duncan Lavelle | GA | South Forsyth | 2026 | OF | 2251 rpm |
5 | Jake Howell | GA | Wilcox County High School | 2025 | LHP | 2228 rpm |
6 | Walker Roberts | GA | Gatewood School | 2025 | RHP | 2205 rpm |
7 | Reece Grodeman | GA | Model High | 2026 | RHP | 2180 rpm |
8 | Jackson Sammons | GA | SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 2130 rpm |
9 | Landon Ludwig | GA | BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 2126 rpm |
10 | Aiden Zagryn | GA | BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | 3B | 2099 rpm |
Spin Rate: This metric calculates the rate of spin on the baseball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Historical data shows that high-spin fastballs lessen the impact of gravity, allowing for more ‘rise’ (or less fall, in other words) as it carries through the zone. Low-spin fastballs typically indicate the pitch has greater horizontal action, often making it tougher to square up, but generally easier to make contact with, leading to more ground balls, while high-spin fastballs show a correlation with swings and misses.
SPIN EFFICIENCY% (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Efficiency % (avg) |
1 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 99 % |
2 | Clayton Hicks | GA | Evans | 2025 | RHP | 97 % |
3 | Michael Hunter Stonecipher | GA | East Cobb Baseball Academy | 2025 | C | 97 % |
4 | Martin Shelar | GA | Marist | 2026 | OF | 96 % |
5 | Reece Grodeman | GA | Model High | 2026 | RHP | 96 % |
6 | Campbell Payton | GA | North Hall | 2025 | LHP | 95 % |
7 | Will Colvin | GA | Lakeside | 2026 | C | 94 % |
8 | Brock Holcombe | GA | Lakeside | 2027 | OF | 94 % |
9 | Brayden Weems | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 93 % |
10 | Carson Bruce | GA | North Cobb Christian | 2027 | 1B | 93 % |
Spin Efficiency: This metric is the percentage of the raw spin rate that directly impacts pitch movement; so while raw spin is measured by revolutions per minute (rpm), spin efficiency is the ratio of true spin divided by raw spin. It’s important to understand that more is not always better when it comes to spin efficiency. The optimal spin efficiency on a pitch depends on the pitch type and should be understood in the context of a pitcher’s entire arsenal. Regarding the true four-seam fastball, a spin efficiency close to 100 percent is preferable, indicating that nearly all the backspin generated on the ball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand is contributing to the “riding” action the pitch has as it enters and exits the strike zone, making it especially effective in the upper third of the strike zone.
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Todd Haley | GA | Walton High School | 2026 | 1B | 20.2 in |
2 | Jackson Sammons | GA | SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 19.4 in |
3 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 18.6 in |
4 | Michael Hunter Stonecipher | GA | East Cobb Baseball Academy | 2025 | C | 18.4 in |
5 | Martin Shelar | GA | Marist | 2026 | OF | 18.1 in |
6 | Brady Holbrook | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 18.0 in |
7 | Will Colvin | GA | Lakeside | 2026 | C | 16.5 in |
8 | Oakley Willingham | GA | Peach County | 2025 | C | 16.5 in |
9 | Turk Williams | GA | North Paulding | 2026 | RHP | 16.4 in |
10 | Carson Bruce | GA | North Cobb Christian | 2027 | 1B | 16.1 in |
Induced Vertical Break: Used in short form as "IVB," this metric is most important on fastballs for creating rise and on curveballs for creating depth – it can also have some use when measuring sliders and cutters as well. Sliders tend to be closer to zero inches while cutters are generally between 5 and 15 inches. Usually fastballs and curveballs with large IVB have higher spin efficiencies as well. Sliders generally have very little (closer to zero) IVB and very low spin efficiency. You could also categorize IVB into spin rate as this is part of the “useful movement” you’re looking for. IVB is also a huge part of the vertical approach angle.
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Reece Grodeman | GA | Model High | 2026 | RHP | 16.8 |
2 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | 16.3 |
3 | Will Colvin | GA | Lakeside | 2026 | C | 15.2 |
4 | Seth Dixon | GA | North Forsyth High School | 2026 | SS | 14.5 |
5 | Parker Bryant | GA | West Laurens | 2025 | RHP | 12.5 |
6 | Austin Daves | GA | Woodland | 2025 | LHP | -12.3 |
7 | Luke Burnett | GA | North Oconee High School | 2026 | OF | 12.2 |
8 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | -12.2 |
9 | Nick Yarbrough | GA | Harrison High School | 2025 | 1B | -12.0 |
10 | Jude Matthews | GA | Lakeside High School | 2026 | LHP | -12.0 |
Horizontal Break: Outlined on TrackMan’s own website: “... horizontal movement is measured in inches between where the pitch actually crosses the front of home plate side-wise, and where it would have crossed home plate side-wise if had it traveled in a perfectly straight line from release. A positive number means the break was to the right from the pitcher’s perspective, while a negative number means the break was to the left from the pitcher’s perspective.”
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Grayson McCollum | GA | Wesleyan School | 2025 | SS | 77 % |
2 | Martin Shelar | GA | Marist | 2026 | OF | 71 % |
3 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 69 % |
4 | Will Pridgen | GA | Tift County | 2025 | RHP | 66 % |
5 | Sam Martell | GA | Walnut Grove | 2025 | LHP | 63 % |
6 | Branson Crawford | GA | North Hall | 2026 | C | 61 % |
7 | Todd Haley | GA | Walton High School | 2026 | 1B | 60 % |
8 | Reece Grodeman | GA | Model High | 2026 | RHP | 59 % |
9 | Sammy Ericson | GA | Cherokee | 2025 | RHP | 58 % |
^ | Campbell Payton | GA | North Hall | 2025 | LHP | 58 % |
10 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 57 % |
^ | Brady Holbrook | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 57 % |
Average MLB pitchers throw 62 percent strikes, and better pitchers throw strikes 65 percent of the time, or a ratio of roughly 2:1, strikes to balls.
CURVEBALL
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Jake Howell | GA | Wilcox County High School | 2025 | LHP | 2685 rpm |
2 | Parker Bryant | GA | West Laurens | 2025 | RHP | 2552 rpm |
3 | Will Pridgen | GA | Tift County | 2025 | RHP | 2488 rpm |
4 | Walker Roberts | GA | Gatewood School | 2025 | RHP | 2349 rpm |
5 | Durrah Butler | GA | Lee County High School | 2025 | OF | 2335 rpm |
6 | Wes Taylor | GA | Calhoun | 2025 | RHP | 2224 rpm |
7 | KJ Hart | GA | River Ridge | 2025 | OF | 2209 rpm |
8 | Duncan Lavelle | GA | South Forsyth | 2026 | OF | 2206 rpm |
9 | Todd Haley | GA | Walton High School | 2026 | 1B | 2162 rpm |
10 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 2125 rpm |
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Wes Taylor | GA | Calhoun | 2025 | RHP | -15.9 in |
2 | Jake Howell | GA | Wilcox County High School | 2025 | LHP | -15.6 in |
3 | Todd Haley | GA | Walton High School | 2026 | 1B | -11.8 in |
4 | Sammy Ericson | GA | Cherokee | 2025 | RHP | -11.8 in |
5 | Carson Bruce | GA | North Cobb Christian | 2027 | 1B | 11.1 in |
6 | Seth Dixon | GA | North Forsyth High School | 2026 | SS | -11.0 in |
7 | Will Colvin | GA | Lakeside | 2026 | C | -10.7 in |
8 | Turk Williams | GA | North Paulding | 2026 | RHP | 10.0 in |
9 | Duncan Lavelle | GA | South Forsyth | 2026 | OF | -9.5 in |
10 | Durrah Butler | GA | Lee County High School | 2025 | OF | -9.4 in |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Walker Roberts | GA | Gatewood School | 2025 | RHP | -17.7 |
2 | Seth Dixon | GA | North Forsyth High School | 2026 | SS | -16.3 |
3 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | -15.9 |
4 | Jake Howell | GA | Wilcox County High School | 2025 | LHP | 15.3 |
5 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 14.7 |
6 | Mason Corsaro | GA | Lambert High School | 2026 | LHP | 13.4 |
7 | Will Colvin | GA | Lakeside | 2026 | C | -13.2 |
8 | Brock Holcombe | GA | Lakeside | 2027 | OF | -12.5 |
9 | Will Pridgen | GA | Tift County | 2025 | RHP | -12.3 |
10 | Garrett Ray | GA | Creekview | 2026 | RHP | -11.4 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Smith McGarvey | GA | North Hall High School | 2026 | LHP | 100 % |
^ | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 100 % |
^ | Sammy Ericson | GA | Cherokee | 2025 | RHP | 100 % |
2 | Durrah Butler | GA | Lee County High School | 2025 | OF | 75 % |
3 | Steven Harshbarger | GA | Harlem | 2025 | C | 66 % |
^ | Oakley Willingham | GA | Peach County | 2025 | C | 66 % |
^ | Walker Roberts | GA | Gatewood School | 2025 | RHP | 66 % |
4 | Will Pridgen | GA | Tift County | 2025 | RHP | 60 % |
5 | KJ Hart | GA | River Ridge | 2025 | OF | 55 % |
6 | Samford Halcomb | GA | North Gwinnett | 2025 | OF | 50 % |
^ | Carson Bruce | GA | North Cobb Christian | 2027 | 1B | 50 % |
^ | Clayton Hicks | GA | Evans | 2025 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Wes Taylor | GA | Calhoun | 2025 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Duncan Lavelle | GA | South Forsyth | 2026 | OF | 50 % |
7 | Jake Howell | GA | Wilcox County High School | 2025 | LHP | 42 % |
8 | Austin Daves | GA | Woodland | 2025 | LHP | 33 % |
^ | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 33 % |
^ | Seth Dixon | GA | North Forsyth High School | 2026 | SS | 33 % |
^ | Turk Williams | GA | North Paulding | 2026 | RHP | 33 % |
9 | Sam Martell | GA | Walnut Grove | 2025 | LHP | 20 % |
10 | David Jackson Jr. | GA | Alexander High School | 2026 | LHP | 16 % |
^ | Aidan Wray | GA | Denmark High School | 2025 | RHP | 16 % |
SLIDER
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Jude Matthews | GA | Lakeside High School | 2026 | LHP | 2618 |
2 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | 2486 |
3 | Grayson McCollum | GA | Wesleyan School | 2025 | SS | 2228 |
4 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 2158 |
5 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 2071 |
6 | Wes Taylor | GA | Calhoun | 2025 | RHP | 1978 |
7 | Brady Holbrook | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 1881 |
8 | Sammy Ericson | GA | Cherokee | 2025 | RHP | 1739 |
9 | Branson Crawford | GA | North Hall | 2026 | C | 1720 |
10 | Landon Ludwig | GA | BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 1667 |
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Austin Daves | GA | Woodland | 2025 | LHP | 10.2 in |
2 | Jude Matthews | GA | Lakeside High School | 2026 | LHP | -7.4 in |
3 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 5.5 in |
4 | Landon Ludwig | GA | BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | -4.8 in |
5 | Branson Crawford | GA | North Hall | 2026 | C | -3.6 in |
6 | Brayden Weems | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 2.7 in |
7 | Wes Taylor | GA | Calhoun | 2025 | RHP | -2.4 in |
8 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | -2.4 in |
9 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | -2.0 in |
10 | William McCollum II | GA | North Atlanta High School | 2025 | OF | 1.8 in |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Jude Matthews | GA | Lakeside High School | 2026 | LHP | 16.4 |
2 | Branson Crawford | GA | North Hall | 2026 | C | -13.2 |
3 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | -11.4 |
4 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | -11.2 |
5 | Wes Taylor | GA | Calhoun | 2025 | RHP | -11.0 |
6 | Sammy Ericson | GA | Cherokee | 2025 | RHP | -10.7 |
7 | Nick Yarbrough | GA | Harrison High School | 2025 | 1B | 10.6 |
8 | Landon Ludwig | GA | BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | -9.9 |
9 | Brayden Weems | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 9.7 |
10 | Grayson McCollum | GA | Wesleyan School | 2025 | SS | -9.2 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Austin Daves | GA | Woodland | 2025 | LHP | 50 % |
^ | Landon Ludwig | GA | BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Branson Crawford | GA | North Hall | 2026 | C | 50 % |
^ | Wes Taylor | GA | Calhoun | 2025 | RHP | 50 % |
2 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 40 % |
3 | Brady Holbrook | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 33 % |
4 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | 28 % |
5 | Brayden Weems | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 25 % |
6 | Sammy Ericson | GA | Cherokee | 2025 | RHP | 20 % |
7 | Jude Matthews | GA | Lakeside High School | 2026 | LHP | 14 % |
CHANGEUP
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Reece Grodeman | GA | Model High | 2026 | RHP | 2025 rpm |
2 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | 1993 rpm |
3 | KJ Hart | GA | River Ridge | 2025 | OF | 1849 rpm |
4 | Will Pridgen | GA | Tift County | 2025 | RHP | 1779 rpm |
5 | Luke Burnett | GA | North Oconee High School | 2026 | OF | 1634 rpm |
6 | Walker Roberts | GA | Gatewood School | 2025 | RHP | 1603 rpm |
7 | Duncan Lavelle | GA | South Forsyth | 2026 | OF | 1599 rpm |
8 | Seth Dixon | GA | North Forsyth High School | 2026 | SS | 1581 rpm |
9 | Mason Corsaro | GA | Lambert High School | 2026 | LHP | 1544 rpm |
10 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 1505 rpm |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Reece Grodeman | GA | Model High | 2026 | RHP | 16.5 |
2 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | 15.8 |
3 | Nick Yarbrough | GA | Harrison High School | 2025 | 1B | -15.3 |
4 | Eston Simpson | GA | Jefferson | 2025 | RHP | 14.9 |
5 | Jude Matthews | GA | Lakeside High School | 2026 | LHP | -14.9 |
6 | Luke Burnett | GA | North Oconee High School | 2026 | OF | 14.8 |
7 | Sammy Ericson | GA | Cherokee | 2025 | RHP | 14.6 |
8 | Walker Roberts | GA | Gatewood School | 2025 | RHP | 13.7 |
9 | Mason Corsaro | GA | Lambert High School | 2026 | LHP | -11.8 |
10 | Samford Halcomb | GA | North Gwinnett | 2025 | OF | 11.8 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Durrah Butler | GA | Lee County High School | 2025 | OF | 100 % |
^ | William McCollum II | GA | North Atlanta High School | 2025 | OF | 100 % |
^ | Sam Martell | GA | Walnut Grove | 2025 | LHP | 100 % |
2 | Noah Allen | GA | North Oconee | 2025 | RHP | 66 % |
^ | Will Pridgen | GA | Tift County | 2025 | RHP | 66 % |
3 | Turk Williams | GA | North Paulding | 2026 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Seth Dixon | GA | North Forsyth High School | 2026 | SS | 50 % |
4 | Brady Holbrook | GA | North Forsyth | 2025 | LHP | 33 % |
^ | Mason Corsaro | GA | Lambert High School | 2026 | LHP | 33 % |
^ | Branson Crawford | GA | North Hall | 2026 | C | 33 % |
^ | Jake Howell | GA | Wilcox County High School | 2025 | LHP | 33 % |
5 | KJ Hart | GA | River Ridge | 2025 | OF | 25 % |
^ | Samford Halcomb | GA | North Gwinnett | 2025 | OF | 25 % |
6 | Gabe Gowder | GA | Cherokee Bluff | 2025 | LHP | 20 % |
7 | Michael Hunter Stonecipher | GA | East Cobb Baseball Academy | 2025 | C | 16 % |
+ CLICK HERE for a look at the complete statistics from the event.
RELATED CONTENT
- GA Top Prospect Games: Underclass - Pitcher Reports 7/05/23
- GA Top Prospect Games: Underclass - Outfield Reports 7/04/23
- GA Top Prospect Games: Underclass - Infield Reports 7/01/23
- GA Top Prospect Games: Underclass - Catcher Reports 6/30/23
- GA Top Prospect Games: Underclass - Tools of the Tape 6/14/23