Prep Baseball Report

Trackman Traits - Hitting: 2022 C Jake Bennett


Noah Gayhart
Kentucky Intern

Welcome to the hitting side of Trackman Traits. In this series we spotlight players who stood out in the 2020 season and take a deeper dive into their numbers to see what really stands out. Since the implementation of the Trackman and Blast technologies to our showcases this summer, we have been fortunate to have seen a great deal of talent come through the system. Today we will be looking at the number two catcher, and number seven overall player in Kentucky’s 2022 class, Jake Bennett.

Before we get started, we’ll go over and define some of the terminology being used in this piece:

Exit Velocity – This metric measures the speed of the ball off the bat, measured in miles per hour (MPH).

Distance – This metric measures how far the ball traveled, or would travel if it was not obstructed, measured in feet.

Launch Angle – Measures the vertical angle of the ball as it leaves the bat. Positive numbers represent balls traveling upward off the bat and negative numbers mean the ball is traveling downward off the bat.

Fly Ball % - Percentage of fly balls hit during a given set of batted balls events. Trackman defines a fly ball as any batted ball with a launch angle between 25 degrees and 49.9 degrees.

Line Drive % - Percentage of line drives hit during a given set of batted ball events. Trackman defines a line drive as any batted ball with a launch angle between 10 degrees and 24.9 degrees.

Ground Ball % - Percentage of ground balls hit during a given set of batted ball events. Trackman defines a ground ball as any batted ball with a launch angle below 9.9 degrees.

Hard Hit % - Percentage of batted balls with an exit velocity of 90 MPH or higher.

Bat Speed – The speed of the sweet spot of the bat at impact, measured in MPH. The sweet spot is measured 6 inches from the tip of the bat.

Hand Speed – The speed of the handle of the bat just before impact, measured in MPH. The handle is measured 6 inches from the knob of the bat.

Rotational Acceleration – A measure of how quickly the hitter gets from launch position to being on plane. This is measured in G-Force (g).

On Plane Efficiency % - A measure of the percentage of your swing that was on swing plane.



Jake Bennett

Class of 2022 / C

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2022
  • Primary Position: C
    Secondary Position: OF
  • High School: St Xavier
    State: IN
  • Summer Team: Ohio Warhawks
  • Height: 6-2
    Weight: 220lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Position
6.91
60-yard
(02/13/22)
1.83 - 1.96
Pop Time
(02/13/22)
84
C Velo
(02/13/22)
103
Exit Velo
(02/13/22)
Power Speed Score
(02/13/22)
Position
60-yard
6.91
Pop Time
1.83 - 1.96
C Velo
84
Exit Velo
103
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.03
Pop Time
1.9 - 1.96
C Velo
79
Exit Velo
100
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.17
Pop Time
1.88 - 2
C Velo
78
Exit Velo
102
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.32
Pop Time
1.86 - 1.92
C Velo
79
Exit Velo
94
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.09
Pop Time
1.91 - 1.96
C Velo
78
Exit Velo
99
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.04
Pop Time
1.89 - 1.94
C Velo
80
Exit Velo
96
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.37
Pop Time
2 - 2.08
C Velo
78
Exit Velo
94
Position
60-yard
7.37
Pop Time
2 - 2.08
C Velo
78
Exit Velo
94
Position
60-yard
7.07
Pop Time
1.95 - 2.01
C Velo
78
Exit Velo
94
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.27
Pop Time
2.01 - 2.08
C Velo
74
Exit Velo
91
Trackman - Hitting
103.2
Exit Velocity (max)
(02/13/22)
93.7
Exit Velocity (avg)
(08/10/21)
294
Distance (avg)
(08/10/21)
391
Distance (max)
(02/13/22)
Hard Hit %
(08/10/21)
Barrel %
(02/13/22)
Sweet Spot %
(02/07/21)
Line Drive %
(06/22/21)
Fly Ball %
(06/30/20)
Ground Ball %
(02/13/22)
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
103.2
Exit Velocity (avg)
90.1
Distance (avg)
288
Distance (max)
391
Hard Hit %
Barrel %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
100.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
93.7
Distance (avg)
294
Distance (max)
388
Hard Hit %
Barrel %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
101.5
Exit Velocity (avg)
91.4
Distance (avg)
249
Distance (max)
361
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
94.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
78
Distance (avg)
259
Distance (max)
355
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
99
Exit Velocity (avg)
92.6
Distance (avg)
263
Distance (max)
352
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
96.3
Exit Velocity (avg)
85.6
Distance (avg)
281
Distance (max)
376
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
96.4
Exit Velocity (avg)
84.8
Distance (avg)
271
Distance (max)
383
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
94.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
82.8
Distance (avg)
235
Distance (max)
337
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Blast - Hitting
30.8
Hand Speed (max)
(02/13/22)
25.8
Hand Speed (avg)
(02/13/22)
89.1
Bat Speed (max)
(02/13/22)
79.3
Bat Speed (avg)
(02/13/22)
Rot. Acc (max)
(02/13/22)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(02/07/21)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(06/22/21)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(06/22/21)
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
30.8
Hand Speed (avg)
25.8
Bat Speed (max)
89.1
Bat Speed (avg)
79.3
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
23.2
Hand Speed (avg)
22.2
Bat Speed (max)
76.8
Bat Speed (avg)
73.8
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
23.7
Hand Speed (avg)
22.4
Bat Speed (max)
77.8
Bat Speed (avg)
75.9
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
23.3
Hand Speed (avg)
21.6
Bat Speed (max)
77.7
Bat Speed (avg)
74.3
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
26.4
Hand Speed (avg)
24.8
Bat Speed (max)
82.2
Bat Speed (avg)
78.3
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
27.6
Hand Speed (avg)
23.7
Bat Speed (max)
81.9
Bat Speed (avg)
77.8
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
25
Hand Speed (avg)
22.8
Bat Speed (max)
83.6
Bat Speed (avg)
75.7
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)

Pitch_Scores

Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
(06/30/20)
Rise+
(06/30/20)
Sink+
(06/30/20)
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
(06/30/20)
Sweep+
(06/30/20)

Scouting Report

8/03/20

 

6-foot-1, 200 pound right handed hitting catcher. Put on a power show during BP at Future Games hitting several balls out to left field and left-center. Open stance, aggressive approach. Slight uphill swing plane with significant lift. Has reached a top exit velocity on Trackman of 96.38 mph and a top distance of 383 feet. Good receiver behind the dish. 80 mph arm strength with consistent sub-2 workout pop times. Understands the position and handles pitchers well. True competitor on the field. Has worked himself into a top 10 player in Kentucky's 2022 class.

 

 


Videos

(8/1/20)


Trackman Data Analysis

Jake Bennett was no stranger to PBR events, participating in four over the course of 2020, including the Future Games and KY/TN Border Battle events. Bennett was a standout all summer long at our events, but one moment stood out amongst the rest. After some technical difficulties during his round of BP at the Future Games, Jake was asked to step back in the box for five more swings, and he responded by depositing four of the five pitches over the left field wall. Let’s dive into the Trackman metrics to put some numbers to his offensive approach.

Exit Velocity – With a max exit velocity of 96.38 MPH, Bennett possesses some serious pop in his bat, and was good enough to place him tied for first among KY players during the KY/TN Border Battle event. His average exit velocity of 85.61 MPH showcases the ability to consistently make solid contact and keep the defense on its toes. While he was unable to reach triple digits this year, it is likely that he will reach this mark in the near future. Even so, he was able to plenty of damage over the course of his summer campaign.

Distance – As mentioned before, Bennett has serious power potential. His max distance of 383 feet was good for 4th among his player pool during the Future Games Showcase (KY, IN, MO, TN, Select 2). His average distance at the event of 270 ft was good for a top 20 finish in his player pool at the Future Games showcase. As we will discuss further in a moment, his slight uphill swing plane and aggressive approach at the plate combine to create a lot of lift in his swing, allowing his balls to carry. Bennett pounds the ball pull side consistently, with the ball jumping off his bat, making him a fun player to watch at the dish.

Batted Ball Percentages – With Bennett’s present power and aggressive approach at the plate, it comes as no surprise that he was able to post a Hard Hit % of 66.7%, meaning 2/3 of the balls he hit left the bat at 90+ MPH. His power translates in game as well, where he constantly hits the ball sharp to the pull side. Bennett’s swing, with an uphill plane, is built to elevate the baseball, showcased by his 66.7% Fly Ball %. Couple that with a 16.7% Line Drive % and you find that Bennett keeps the ball in the air over 80% of the time. Add that with his present power and you get the profile of a hitter that can do some real damage at the plate.

Blast Connection

Trackman does a great job showing the outcomes of players swings and their batted ball events. Its data is results based, the best numbers come when you get off your best swing and make your best contact. Blast Motion technology, also implemented this year along with Trackman, tracks the swing data of a player and can shine a light into what a player does well in their swing. When paired with Trackman, it can paint a more complete picture of a hitter and help explain why a player is able to hit the ball harder, further, and more consistently than others.

When looking at Bennett’s Blast metrics it becomes clear how he is able to generate power in his swing. Three metrics stand out the most: Bat Speed, Rotational Acceleration, and On Plane Efficiency %. When looking at high school players, bat speed tends to have a bigger range for averages than some other metrics, but generally, for high school players the upper end of that range is around the low 70’s (MPH). In Bennett’s case, he posted a max bat speed of 82.2 MPH and an average bat speed of 78.32, both numbers that are at an advanced level.

A lot of the ability to generate such a high bat speed comes from Bennett’s physical 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame. But, there is another metric that is playing a big role as well, rotational acceleration. Rotational acceleration measures how quickly a player is able to get from the launch position of his swing to on plane. In a study conducted by Driveline Baseball in partnership with Blast, they found that the average rotational acceleration of a high school hitter is 10.34 g +/- 5.9. Bennett has an average rotational acceleration of 16.97 g and a max of 24.1 g, both elite.

Moving to his on-plane efficiency %, which currently lies at 69%, just shy of the ideal mark of 70% for this metric. This metric represents the amount of time a player’s batter is able to keep his bat in the zone, meaning players with high percentages are able to stay on balls longer.

So, what do these metrics mean all together? A combination of high bat speed, rotational acceleration, and on plane efficiency % typically equate to two things. A longer period of time to make decisions on pitches and power. Having high rotational acceleration means he can see pitches travel further before having to make a decision on whether to start his swing. His on-plane efficiency % allows him to stay in the zone and on pitches longer, and the combination of force generated with his rotational acceleration and his bat speed allow him to generate lots of power and strike the ball with authority once he connects.

Conclusion

The Blast metrics and Trackman results make it clear that Jake Bennett is a threat at the plate. His 7.04 60-yard dash time, consistent sub-2 workout pop times, 80 mph arm strength behind the plate, and competitive, hard working attitude on and off the field paint the picture of a player who can help a team in all facets of the game. It comes as no surprise that Bennett finds himself as the 10th most viewed Kentucky player profile in 2020 and the 7th ranked player in the Kentucky 2022 class rankings.