TEXAS - On Tuesday, June 18, we hosted the Top Prospect Games: San Marcos at Texas State University. This invite-only event featured players from all high school classes that have earned their invite with our scouting staff. The day started with position players running a 60, throwing from defensive positions, and taking two rounds of BP. Following the workout, we went into gameplay where we saw the pitcher only participants show up and show out. Today, we take a closer look at the metrics posted by the pitchers on the day


+ FULL STAT SHEET

FASTBALL

MAX VELOCITY

AVERAGE SPIN RATE

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.

AVERAGE SPIN EFFICIENCY PERCENTAGE

Spin Efficiency: This metric is the percentage of the raw spin that directly impacts pitch movement; so while raw spin is measured by revolutions per minute (RPM), spin efficiency is the ratio of trtue spin divided by raw spin.  It's important to understand that more is not alwasy 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.

AVERAGE INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK 

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.  Fastballs and curveballs with large IVB usually 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, also known as "VAA".

AVERAGE HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT

Horizontal Movement: 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 it had 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 PERCENTAGE

Strike Zone Rate Percentage: Average MLB pitchers throw 62% strikes and better pitchers throw 65% strikes, or a strike to ball ratio of rougly 2:1.

AVERAGE EXTENSION

Extension: The distance in feet from the pitching rubber to where a pitcher releases the ball.  The pitching rubber is 60 feet 6 inches from home plate, but pitchers usually release the ball a few feet closer.  Extension is different from release height, and it can favor taller pitchers with longer wingspans.

CURVEBALL

AVERAGE SPIN RATE

AVERAGE HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT

STRIKE ZONE RATE PERCENTAGE

SLIDER

AVERAGE SPIN RATE

AVERAGE HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT

STRIKE ZONE PERCENTAGE

CHANGEUP

AVERAGE SPIN RATE

AVERAGE HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT

STRIKE ZONE PERCENTAGE

RELATED CONTENT