NORTHPORT, AL - The inaugural Alabama Rising Stars Games brought together a talented collection of prospects from the 2031-2032 classes for a full workout and game play at River Run Park. With many of these players still in the early stages of their development, the event provided our staff an opportunity to get an extended look at some of the state's top young talent while identifying several names to follow closely over the next few years.

Our staff was on hand throughout the event, collecting verified data and evaluating each player during the workout and game action. Below, we take a closer look at the advanced data from the event with leaders across each statistical category.

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FASTBALL 

MAX VELOCITY (MPH)

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.

SPIN EFFICIENCY% (AVG.)

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.)

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%

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.

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CURVEBALL

SPIN RATE (AVG.)

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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SLIDER

SPIN RATE (AVG.)

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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CHANGEUP

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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UPCOMING SHOWCASES ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Central Alabama Fall ID	September 13, 2026	Lee-Scott Academy
North Alabama Fall ID	October 4, 2026	Huntsville High School
South Alabama Fall ID	October 11, 2026	Orange Beach Sportsplex
Alabama Fall Games	October 18, 2026	Northridge High School
Birmingham Fall ID	November 1, 2026	Pelham High School

 

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS ⤵️

TOURNAMENT	DATE	LOCATION	AGES
Kickin' it on the River (Sat. Only)	September 12, 2026	River Run Park	9U-14U
River Run Fall Classic	September 12-13, 2026	River Run Park	13U-18U
Kickin' it on the River (Sun. Only)	September 13, 2026	River Run Park	9U-12U
Chelsea Fall Classic (Sun. Only)	September 20, 2026	Chelsea Sports Complex	9U-14U
PlayMaker Championship (Sun. Only)	September 20, 2026	River Run Park	9U-16U

+ View All Alabama Tournaments

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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