Follow @PBRMaryland
Facebook & Instagram

Fourteen pitchers threw at this year's Unsigned Senior Games last Sunday at McCurdy Field and Trackman was used to collect data during their outing. TrackMan is used for player evaluation and development by all major league and minor league teams in the US and top NCAA D1 programs. The industry leading technology captures the most comprehensive and accurate ball tracking data during game-play and practice. Below is some of the pitching data recorded from the event across several categories.  

 

AVERAGE FASTBALL SPIN (RPM)

Spin Rate: Measures how fast the ball is spinning (reported in rotations per minute). 

FASTBALL SPIN RATES

When looking at fastball spin rates, coaches and scouts are looking for pitchers that are outside the norm. High spin rate fastball, typically, tend to ride on hitter, creating swing and miss, and playing at the top of the strike zone. Low spin rate guys, typically, are creating some sink on their fastball, or the appearance that the fastball is diving.

The pure spin rate does not tell the whole story on any one pitch. Coaches and scouts are also evaluating spin efficiency and spin direction. They also want to see some consistency, pitch-to-pitch, on the release point.

Average Fastball Spin Rates

- MLB = 2256 rpm
- College = 2148 rpm
- High School = 1977 rpm

 

AVERAGE CURVEBALL SPIN (RPM)

Spin Rate: Measures how fast the ball is spinning (reported in rotations per minute). 

BREAKING BALL SPIN RATES

Typically bigger spin can mean bigger break, but again on the breaking ball the spin efficiency can play a part. There are also studies that show the speed of the pitch can affect if the spin rate has a chance to take hold and create the break a pitcher is looking for. 

Average Curveball Spin Rates

- MLB = 2582 rpm
- College = 2340 rpm
- High School = 2069 rpm