Prep Baseball Report

Statistical Analysis: Fall Open ID with TPA


Brandon Hall
Executive Director, PBR of NC

PBR was on hand on Sunday August 16th for a workout that hosted by The Performance Academy at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, NC.  Over 150 players participated on the day.  Wet weather kept the players off the infield, but players were able to complete the full pro-style workout.

The position players kicked the day off working through a set of rotations, allowing coaches and scouts to get a glimpse at each player going through offensive and defensive work.  There were also stations allowing for instruction and analysis of players in coaching situations.

Offensively, players rolled through multiple cages to get loose, go through their exit velocity testing, and hit off of live BP.  As they rolled onto the field, the players had time to get loose before going through a workout at their primary position.  Position players also ran a laser timed 60 yard on the warning track of the Bulls Stadium.

At the conclusion of the positional workout, pitchers were able to throw short, controlled bullpens, giving coaches and scouts a feel for stuff, velocity, location, spin rates, and delivery.

Coaches and PBR scouts on hand collected information from each player throughout the day.  Below is a comprehensive list of the leaders from some of these categories.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and complete list of statistics from the day.

By the Numbers:

  • 151 players took part in the workout
  • 2021 - 2024 graduates were in attendance
  • 4 players ran sub-7.00
  • 12 players ran sub-7.30
  • 90 infielders worked out with a top positional velo of 86 mph across the diamond
  • 10 outfielders showed arm strength of 78 or better with a top bolt of 86 mph
  • 9 catchers posted pop times in the workout of 2.15 or better
  • 10 hitters had an exit velocity off the tee of 90 mph or higher
  • 67 arms threw bullpens with a top fastball registered at 87 mph

 

Fall Open ID with TPA

 

THE 60 YARD DASH

Players ran a laser timed 60 yard dash during the positional rotations.  The 60 was run on the warning track of the Durham Bulls Stadium.  The surface was firm underneath but a little loose on the surface.  Several players had run .10 to .15 faster for PBR in the last 2 months.

 

EXIT VELOCITY (OFF A TEE)

Hitters worked through offensive testing, including a static exit velocity test, working off a tee.  Below are the top recorded exit velocities at this station.

 

POSITIONAL VELOCITY – INFIELDERS

Infielders were able to workout at shorstop, on a simulated infield, built to scale, in the outfield, throwing across the infield, or from 1B throwing 3B in the pro-style workout.  Coaches are working to evaluate rhythm, footwork, hands, exchanges, arm action, accuracy, and carry.  To measure arm strength PBR Scouts utilize a radar gun.  Below are the top posted positional velocities from each day.

 

POSITIONAL VELOCITY – OUTFIELDERS

Outfielders worked out from centerfield, making throws to the bullpen area, at a distance of about 225 feet.  Scouts are able to watch exchanges, arm action, arm strength, carry, and accuracy in this type of workout.  PBR adds a radar reading to assist with adding a number to the arm strength grade.  Below are the top radar readings from the outfielder workouts.

 

CATCHER POP TIMES & POSITIONAL VELOCITY

In the pro-style workout, catchers workout from behind home plate, making multiple throws to 2B, simulating a stolen base attempt.  PBR Scouts did measure the distance from home to 2B on the simulated INF to make sure the distance was accurate.  Scouts again are looking for a quick, clean transition to the release as well as carry and accuracy on the throw.  For catchers, evaluators will put a stopwatch on the “pop time” or the time the ball hits their glove to the time the ball hits the MIF’s glove at 2B.  Coaches can also time the transition from when the ball hits the catchers glove to when he is able to release his throw.  PBR scouts add the radar gun to put a number on the arm strength out of the crouched position.

 

MAX FASTBALL

Pitchers threw a controlled bullpen for scouts in the bullpens of the DBAP Stadium.  A Stalker Pro SII was also used to measure velocity and spin rates on each pitcher.