short discussion of spin rate

[@1RBFjr]

(here's hoping the link works)

A few Mondays or Tuesdays ago we had a broadcaster out. Jacob Browne, our other broadcaster, invited MTSU pitcher Justin Lee up to the booth to help with the broadcast. As the Trackman data came in, Justin did a nice job talking about spin rate. Jacob pulled out just under two minutes of the discussion, and hopefully it's below.

 

[chuckiepoo]

(here's hoping the link works)

A few Mondays or Tuesdays ago we had a broadcaster out. Jacob Browne, our other broadcaster, invited MTSU pitcher Justin Lee up to the booth to help with the broadcast. As the Trackman data came in, Justin did a nice job talking about spin rate. Jacob pulled out just under two minutes of the discussion, and hopefully it's below.

Great brief discussion regarding fastball spin rates. Had to hit the share icon to take me to the one drive link.

 

[@1RBFjr]

Great brief discussion regarding fastball spin rates.

So you got the video to work, @chuckiepoo ?

 

[chuckiepoo]

So you got the video to work, @chuckiepoo ?

Yep. Not when I first opened. Had to hit the icon top right and it opened the off site link to media.

 

[taylorvol]

Can confirm what @chuckiepoo said that it’s good content and, if you touch top right of video, it will take you to google doc to play.

 

[@1RBFjr]

Yep. Not when I first opened. Had to hit the icon top right and it opened the off site link to media.

Thanks, @chuckiepoo . I'm not so good when it comes to posting stuff.

 

[vol66]

Cool! Thanks for the link!

 

[@1RBFjr]

Cool! Thanks for the link!

Glad you liked it. Thought it'd be interesting for the crew here.

 

[BruisedOrange]

(here's hoping the link works)
A few Mondays or Tuesdays ago we had a broadcaster out. Jacob Browne, our other broadcaster, invited MTSU pitcher Justin Lee up to the booth to help with the broadcast. As the Trackman data came in, Justin did a nice job talking about spin rate. Jacob pulled out just under two minutes of the discussion, and hopefully it's below.

Thank you! That elaborates on something we heard mid-season about Kirby's pitches during a rough streak.

So if I understand correctly, with an overhand fastball the spin rate interacts with air pressure to provide lift against gravity, and there are two sweet spots (of spin rate) for adding movement to that pitch.

What are the spin rate targets for a sidearm pitcher, like we have coming in? Does he have no fastball against which to set up his other pitches?
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Interesting side note: I remember reading that Hall of Famer Phil Niekro's knuckleball had an ideal spin rate of 1-1.5 rotations from mound to plate.

 

[@1RBFjr]

Thank you! That elaborates on something we heard mid-season about Kirby's pitches during a rough streak.

So if I understand correctly, with an overhand fastball the spin rate interacts with air pressure to provide lift against gravity, and there are two sweet spots (of spin rate) for adding movement to that pitch.

What are the spin rate targets for a sidearm pitcher, like we have coming in? Does he have no fastball against which to set up his other pitches?
----------
Interesting side note: I remember reading that Hall of Famer Phil Niekro's knuckleball had an ideal spin rate of 1-1.5 rotations from mound to plate.

Glad you liked it. There are far more intelligent people on here that could answer your questions, but I think you have the gist of it.

 

[VolGee4]

So, I didn't watch the video, but I will share a discussion that I had with a MLB scout at the 2021 CWS. The scout is a cousin of a good friend of mine.

I pitched growing up but stopped playing in high school and never had these discussions. I thought it was fascinating. MSU and Texas played the second game after UT's opening game in 2021. Will Bednair pitched against Ty Madden. Both were eventually picked early in the 2021 draft. After the game, we discussed the analytics, and the difference in spin rates. Bednair had a high spin rate that allowed his ball to move more. However, more spin can create more lift for a hitter. So, if a hitter catches a Bednair pitch or his pitch flattens just a little, then he is more susceptible to HR's or more base hits. In comparison, Madden threw hard but at a much lower spin rate. The scout said it was akin to trying to hit a bowling ball. Because the ball doesn't move as much, the hitters can make contact but can't lift it as much. Madden would rely more on his defense to get hitters out. Just two different styles of pitching.

At age 41 at the time, I had never really had an analytics discussion with someone who did it for a living. These are all things they use when evaluating the players and making draft decisions.

 

[StarRaider]

Thanks, @chuckiepoo . I'm not so good when it comes to posting stuff.

we got yer six @1RBFjr just keep posting these gems

 

[chuckiepoo]

Glad you liked it. There are far more intelligent people on here that could answer your questions, but I think you have the gist of it.

Fangraphs.com If ya really wanna know about pitching metrics and analytics….

 

[BruinVol]

Good stuff for us old guys that don’t know technology