Las Vegas Preseason ID (Session 2): Pitching Data Dive
January 26, 2025
On Wednesday, January 22nd, the Prep Baseball Nevada staff hosted it's second showcase of the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Preseason ID (Session 2) hosted on the campus of the University of Nevada - Las Vegas at Earl E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was another strong roster at the second session that included a slew of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2025, 2026 and 2027 classes, as well some freshman in the 2028 class who also opened some eyes. The sold out event featured 55 prospects in the Las Vegas area and it was another great turn out in Southern Nevada to get the season underway with over 100 players over the two days.
The event included players in the 2025 - 2028 classes with all players running through a full workout alongside our tech partners TrackMan, Blast Motion, VALD Performance and Physical/Athletic Testing. Preseason ID showcases allow players a chance to showcase their offseason gains ahead of the high school season, while also giving their profiles a complete revamp. Attending Preseason ID showcases also makes players eligible for marquee Prep Baseball events such as the Future Games, Senior Future Games, Junior Future Games, West Coast Games and the Nevada State Games.
Earlier this week, we began our post-event coverage within our Statistical Analysis and Quick Hits articles. Today, we'll continue our post-event coverage with a look at the TrackMan Pitching leaderboards, highlighting top arms and their data from the bullpen portion of the showcase.
For complete event results, click here.
To register for the Reno Preseason ID (Feb. 2), click here.
To register for the Las Vegas Rising Stars ID (Mar. 22), click here.
FASTBALL
MAX VELOCITY (MPH)
Max Fastball Velocity: This metric calculates the speed of the pitch as it’s released from the pitcher’s hand.
SPIN RATE (AVG)
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.
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
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.)
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%
CURVEBALL
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
STRIKE ZONE %
SLIDER
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
STRIKE ZONE %
CHANGEUP
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
STRIKE ZONE %
Upcoming Events
Showcase | State | Date | Location |
Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/02 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
Reno Preseason ID | NV | 02/02 | University of Nevada - Peccole Park |
Las Vegas Rising Stars ID | NV | 03/22 | Las Vegas, NV |