USG: Trackman Traits: Intriguing Arms

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The expanded usage of data, and the importance of it in regards to player development and player assessment is a legitimate, undeniable tool used by high school, college, and professional teams across the country. Today we break down some of the data from our Unsigned Seniors Event. See which players stood out in regards to Trackman data. 

Glossary Terms Intro & Links:

Induced Vertical Break: IVB
Vertical Approach Angle: VAA 
Horizontal Break: HB
Release Speed: RS or Velo
Release Height: RH or RelHei

Curveball: Elite spin, up to 2,843 rpm and 2,761 rpm on average. Plays like a high spin efficiency slurve with equal movement vertically and horizontally. Averaged the second-most drop (-10.8 inches) and fifth-most HB (12.1 inches). Tilt’s were typically 7:30, and consistently around there. When the axis shifted clockwise, he created more sweep on the pitch while the vertical drop remained consistent; so it played like a high spin efficiency sweeper instead of a slurve. Threw it hard for a CB, and touched 72.5 mph with it, while it was 71.5 mph on average.

Changeup: Has high-spin on it relative to other changeups, but it’s partially due to him creating gyro spin on the pitch and having a spin-based axis slightly different from his observed one. While the short-form movement isn’t ideal (heavy backspin, very little sidespin), he’s able to create some late movement with a lower spin efficiency. Didn’t throw it in the zone often. Some potential for a decent shape by shifting the axis laterally and creating more fade.

Fastball: Had the second highest average (84.2 mph) and max FB velocity (85.7 mph). Had the highest zone rate of the day (75%) and combined his flat VAA with legit feel for the pitch. Flatness of pitch primarily comes from his spin-based movement as he creates above average IVB (17.7 inches) from a low release. Has a vertical axis, ranging from 12:00 to 12:45, but he gets primarily backspin with slight gyro spin. Has 2,105 rpm and created up to 20.1 inches of carry.

Curveball: Was one of three pitchers to average 12 or more inches of HB. Does a good job of killing lift on it by creating sidespin, which then creates gyro spin and a desirable shape with late movement. So it plays like a low efficiency sweeper at 65.5 mph. Around average spin-wise at 2,224 rpm but he threw it at 9:00 so he’s creating a desirable sweeping shape thanks to his ability to supinate. Likely needs to throw the pitch harder though.

Changeup: Only threw it once, albeit in the zone for a strike. The shape is primarily backspin, but he supinates a bit and is able to drop his spin efficiency to produce some gyro spin which inflates his raw spin. This helps an otherwise inefficient movement profile to play slightly better.

Slider: Looks like a low efficiency slurve that can blend into a sweeping CB when he’s able to get proper supination. Averaged near identical movement vertically/horizontally at -4.2 and -3.8 inches while throwing it at 71-74, hitting 75.1 mph. Has above average spin at times. When he threw the pitch with a high efficiency (the version that plays like a sweeping CB) it had above average vertical drop, with some sweep, which could be a solid pitch on its own given the velocity. Whereas when he threw the lower efficiency version of this pitch, it’s slightly less effective at its current velocity. Though he could tighten the shape on the latter pitch by raising his axis about 15-30 minutes to get slightly more lift. 

Changeup: Didn’t throw it often, has extremely low spin and almost a splitter shape at 70-76.