Pitch Grading, Spin Profiles, and Coaching Cues

This short blog is intended to take a step further from our Blog on Pitch Design with Rapsodo. The following information will provide some insight on current pitching data and metrics, coaching cues, video examples, and ways to track progress. As always, these cues and tips work with some but not all. The communication and feedback from each individual pitcher is always going to be the most important factor in their development.

Pitch Grading:

Short version: Does it play?

Long version: What spin metrics make it stand out attached with the in-game performance metrics?

Assessing a pitch has a million different avenues. Currently, we are most accustomed to the pitch design portion of the process that we use Rapsodo for. Pitch metrics and grading profiles can be created and assessed with the data that Rapsodo provides. We are able to compare and contrast with current MLB data, test in live at bats, and collect feedback from players on in-game performance.

Data Assessment:

Looking at data with modern technology such as Rapsodo and Trackman has become much more common at training facilities, colleges, professional baseball, and even high schools. Most pitching coaches are exposed to spin metrics, high-speed video cameras, and need to be able to understand it’s meaning.

Pitching is about getting outs. Assessing and developing pitches is just one component to pitching but it is not going away. More young players are getting exposure to the technology and are able to use it to improve their game. Below has more information on current data, understanding it, and using it to help pitchers get guys out.

2020 MLB Spin Rates (via Trackman):

*shortened season, smaller sample size

RHP FB 93.8mph. 2308rpm 1:03dir 15.8V 8.0H

LHP FB 92.2mph 2291rpm 10:51dir 16.2V -7.1H

RHP CB 79.3mph 2550rpm 7:21dir -8.9V -9H

LHP CB 77.6mph 2470rpm 4:44dir -8.2V, 8.1H

RHP SL 84.9mph 2451rpm 9:29dir 1.4V -5.8H

LHP SL 83.1mph 2390rpm 2:46dir 1.5V 5.7H

RHP CH 85.0mph 1751rpm 1:53dir 6.4V 13.5H

LHP CH 83.3mph 1780rpm 10:10dir 7.0V, -13.1H

RHP Cutter 88.6mph 2430rpm 11:55dir, 7.8V, -3H

LHP Cutter 86.7mph 2289rpm 11:31dir 7.1V 1.7H

Creating an Arsenal:

We want to create a big movement plot with our pitch profiles. Meaning, a pitcher who has big differences in spin profiles with his pitches will create more difficulty for hitters to make swing decisions.

Above is an example of Rapsodo charts showing movement plots for an amatuer RHP’s FB, CH, SL, CB. The focus after having a baseline breakdown is to create more Vertical break on FB, less on CH. After that, create more horizontal break (left) on Slider and vertical break (lower) on curveball.

Pitch Profiling:

4-Seam Fastballs should have bigger spin induced movement profiles. Higher spin and spin efficiencies will promote bigger movement profiles. A fastball or curveball getting to 25in or more of total (vertical + horizontal) induced movement can be a goal for advanced throwers. For example, Trevor Bauer led the MLB in FB spin rate which helped him create a bigger movement plot off his two best whiff% pitches being Slider and Curveball. The tunnels and sequencing can be more difficult for hitters when pitchers have more vertical and horizontal break on fastballs.

If you are naturally lower spin, we want to find ways to create less vertical break than the average. This could be going to 2-seam, no seam, 1-seam, or trying to tilt the axis to kill vertical and add horizontal. For example, Blake Treinen and Zach Britton were top 5 in vertical break (less) in sinkers due to tilted axis and lower spin rates.

Curveballs, as mentioned above, should have bigger movement profiles and higher spin efficiencies. The higher spin rate curveballs tend to have more success at higher levels. MLB average was 2550 for RHP and 2470 for LHP. Ryan Pressly, Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow had some of the highest spin rates on Curveballs in the MLB in 2019-2020 at an average of over 2900rpms. Spin direction and efficiency depends on the pitcher’s slot. More overtop slot should create higher efficiencies (80+%). Lower slots will typically range between 50-80% on Rapsodo. A good comparison would be Shane Bieber or Justin Verlander (high spin % with overtop slot) to Jose Berrios or Drew Pomeranz (more sweepy).

Sliders will often have smaller movement profiles due to more gyro spin and lower spin efficiency. For most, vertical break should be closer to zero. Depending on spin direction and spin efficiency, you will see some horizontal break towards the glove side. Lower slot sliders will produce more negative vertical break and bigger movement profiles due to higher spin efficiency. Think about Chris Sale’s slider (lower slot) compared to Jacob DeGrom’s in movement profiles.

Change-ups should create more horizontal break and less vertical break than the fastball. Most change-ups have less spin rate due to grip orientation and a more tilted spin direction. For example, a RHP spins a 4S fastball at 1:15 and a change-up at 1:50. This will induce more horizontal break and less vertical due to the tilted spin.

Interested in more pitch breakdowns? Email us at prpbaseball101@gmail.com.

Examples of Spin Data and Results:

Knowing this data, the goal isn’t to “be the MLB average”. This data shows a representation of what you are going to see at the highest levels.

For example, Trevor Bauer had 3.9in more than the average vertical break and led the big leagues in run value and top 25 in BA, SLG, K%, and wOBA.

Another example, Shane Bieber is tied for 1st in run value with his curveball and top 6 in whiff % while being top 20 in vertical movement vs the average. His curveball also averaged the fastest mph in the top 20.

Last one, Devin Williams had the best Change-Up in the MLB. His horizontal break is top 3 vs the average and vertical break is top 4 (lower vertical break to create drop). His whiff% was 61.2%, which was 19% better than anyone else. His spin rate on changeup was much lower than the average. Again, creating a different movement plot than the average while maintaining similar throwing slot and tunneling with the fastball.

Data via baseballsavant.com. Highly recommend you take a look here if interested in more MLB data.

Tracking Data and Progress in Pitch Design Progress

Shown above is an amateur pitcher’s data via Rapsodo in 2020 fall. By tracking the data from each session we can see progress on the specific things we are attacking. The goals were to increase spin % on FB and CB while lowering the slider spin efficiency. By doing this, his movement plot gets bigger and hitters will have a more difficult time tracking in all 4 pitches.

We recommend downloading data via Rapsodo charts and using spreadsheets with pitchers to track progress over time. Throughout the off-season, you can see if the pitch arsenal is getting more towards where you want it to be with a sheet like shown above.

Pitch Adjustments and Cues:

This can go a million different directions but we wanted to provide some cues for making adjustments with spin on the mound. Feel free to email us to have a more in depth conversation about what is mentioned below!

More vertical break on Fastball:

Add spin rate (legally, of course)
Focus on fastballs up in the zone. Script bullpens with fastballs at catcher’s mask or at arm side hands of hitter. This can help feel more backspin and elevating the pitch.
Move pointer and middle finger closer together
Tuck the thumb

Fastballs that cut:

Move fingers closer together
Tuck the thumb
Put horseshoe on pointer finger side (4-seam)
See if spin efficiency is low on 2-seam

Create more horizontal on Fastballs:

Cue to “Tilt the axis” (more diagonal spin)
Keep the palm inside the ball
“Lower your slot” - Be careful here, can help change spin axis but monitor actual slot dropping
Move to more 2-seam fastballs

More depth on Change-Up:

Personally, we do not promote the cue “pronate” or turn it inside. Some of these examples below are simply in strategy but coached differently.

Keep the palm inside the ball through release
Widen grip (try to lower spin rate)
Pressure on thumb and middle finger
Throw the inner half of baseball
Let it roll off the middle finger (can also cue roll off ring finger, but much more difficult)
Try a Split Grip
Tilt the axis more on Rapsodo/Trackman (example: take it from 1:15 to 1:45 on Rapsodo)
Lower spin % on Rapsodo (less backspin)
Different grip, Fastball intent
Hit your catcher’s feet (promoting intent and getting out in front)

Higher Spin Efficiency on Curveball:

Throw the front of it
Turn it late
Hit your catcher’s feet
Think 0-2 curveball
Adjust grip to get middle finger on a seam. Drive through the seam at release.
Spike your grip. Pointer finger tip on a seam
Break it from catcher’s mask to dirt

Lower Spin Efficiency on Slider:

Turn the door knob, steering wheel
Throw the side of it
Think fastball longer, fall off side of it
Drive pointer finger through the edge
Think bullet, football spin
Think more velocity, less movement

Cutter:

Throw the arm side of the baseball. Ex: RHP - Throw the right 1/3 of ball
Backspin a slider
Hit the glove side shoulder of your catcher. Ex: RHP hit catcher’s right shoulder
Spin it at 40-60% Rapsodo, 7-10in of vertical break
Pointer finger through the side of baseball

Questions? Email us at prpbaseball101@gmail.com

See below for more details on our Pitch Design Graph using Rapsodo. It is broken down in the first part of our blog here —> https://www.prpbaseball.com/blog/2018/6/29/pitch-identity-and-design-with-rapsodo

Highly recommend you check out the Pitching Ninja’s DropBox Folder of Pitch Grips —> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qw77db1loclcm0v/AADbEm4Po_fSzJ_XCK8mnNxQa?dl=0. Follow him at @PitchingNinja on Twitter!

Pitch Grading, Spin Profiles, and Coaching Cues