South Alabama Select: Data Dive, Pitchers
October 2, 2023
MOBILE, AL - The South Alabama Select was held on Sunday, September 24th at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex in Mobile, AL. This was an open event that consisted of prospects in the 2024-2028 classes. These players went through a pro-style workout and took batting practice using Trackman to record hitting metrics. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated bullpens and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement & much more. To see full statistics gathered from the event, CLICK HERE. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Sunday.
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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 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | 82.6 mph |
2 | Ethan Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2025 | SS | 82.3 mph |
3 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 81.9 mph |
4 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | 81.2 mph |
5 | Mason Rinehart | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | 2B | 80.0 mph |
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | 2187 rpm |
2 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 2017 rpm |
3 | Ethan Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2025 | SS | 1980 rpm |
4 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | 1968 rpm |
5 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 1966 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 | Mason Rinehart | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | 2B | 93 % |
2 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 87 % |
3 | Brayden Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2028 | SS | 87 % |
4 | Ethan Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2025 | SS | 85 % |
5 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 84 % |
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 | Mason Rinehart | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | 2B | 23.9 in |
2 | Brayden Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2028 | SS | 20.1 in |
3 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 18.1 in |
4 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 17.6 in |
5 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | 17.3 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 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | 19.5 |
2 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | 14.5 |
3 | Ethan Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2025 | SS | 13.2 |
4 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 12.4 |
5 | Brayden Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2028 | SS | 9.9 |
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 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 87 % |
2 | Mason Arceneaux | AL | Mobile Christian | 2027 | OF | 72 % |
3 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | 70 % |
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 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | 2563 rpm |
2 | Ethan Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2025 | SS | 2407 rpm |
3 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 2338 rpm |
4 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | 2333 rpm |
5 | Mason Rinehart | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | 2B | 1828 rpm |
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | -9.8 in |
2 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | -3.7 in |
3 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 3.3 in |
4 | Brayden Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2028 | SS | 1.7 in |
5 | Mason Rinehart | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | 2B | -1.2 in |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | -18.5 |
2 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | -12.4 |
3 | Ethan Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2025 | SS | -11.6 |
4 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | -10.6 |
5 | Brayden Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2028 | SS | -7.3 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 100 % |
2 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 66 % |
3 | Brooks McDonald | AL | Saint Paul's | 2025 | 1B | 60 % |
4 | Ethan Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2025 | SS | 50 % |
SLIDER
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 2299 |
2 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | 2299 |
3 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | 1928 |
4 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 1854 |
5 | Mason Arceneaux | AL | Mobile Christian | 2027 | OF | 1711 |
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 7.3 in |
2 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | 2.5 in |
3 | Mason Arceneaux | AL | Mobile Christian | 2027 | OF | -1.1 in |
4 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | 1.1 in |
5 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 0.8 in |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | -17.9 |
2 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | -13.4 |
3 | Mason Arceneaux | AL | Mobile Christian | 2027 | OF | 8.9 |
4 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | -5.5 |
5 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | -5.3 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Mason Arceneaux | AL | Mobile Christian | 2027 | OF | 66 % |
^ | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 66 % |
2 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | 33 % |
CHANGEUP
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Mason Rinehart | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | 2B | 1968 rpm |
2 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 1816 rpm |
3 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | 1658 rpm |
4 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | 1530 rpm |
5 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 1359 rpm |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Brady Coleman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | 3B | 19.0 |
2 | Aden Catledge | AL | Citronelle | 2024 | 3B | 18.9 |
3 | Cole Patrick | AL | McGill Toolen Catholic | 2024 | 1B | 15.3 |
4 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | 12.9 |
5 | Mason Arceneaux | AL | Mobile Christian | 2027 | OF | -10.7 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Mason Arceneaux | AL | Mobile Christian | 2027 | OF | 66 % |
2 | Charlie Brinkman | AL | Satsuma | 2025 | SS | 50 % |
3 | Brayden Hilpert | AL | McGill Toolen | 2028 | SS | 33 % |
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