Welcome to Trackman Traits! In this piece we will be dissecting the numbers the Trackman produces and the effect they can have on a pitcher's approach. Below there will be definitions of each category that we believe to be the most important for a young arm to keep in mind as well as breaking down an arm and giving suggestions on how they can improve their game. Keep in mind, in some categories it is better to be further away from average even if the numbers are wavering on below average. 
 

FASTBALL VELOCITY

Fastball velocity doesn't go much deeper than just looking at the numbers and comparing them to the graphic below! Fastball velocity complements just about all of the other metrics that are measured. If you throw hard, it makes all your other pitches/metrics even better.

FASTBALL SPIN RATE

Spin rate is a measurement that if you are below average or above average, you can pitch with more room for error. On the other hand, if you are average you should try to throw in the bottom half of the zone with exceptional command. High spin fastballs profile as one that is frequently described as having "late life". Low spin fastballs tend to profile as a fastball that has heavy feel to it. Pitch movement is still dependent on spin direction of the pitch but Trackman does not have that metric displayed on profiles. 

BAUER UNITS

Bauer Units are an easier way of determining how useful the spin numbers are compared to the velocity. We can calculate this metric by taking average spin rate and dividing it by average velocity. Bauer Units are useful because we can have a case of two pitchers with the same spin numbers, ex. 2200 RPM, but one pitcher throws 90 MPH and the other throws 83 MPH. The pitcher throwing 90 MPH with 2200 spin is not as impressive as the pitcher throwing 83 MPH with the same spin. Typically, we would tell the harder throwing pitcher to throw up in the zone purely off his velocity and his high spin, but because his Bauer Units would equate to around 24 that would be only 1 unit off of average (23), therefore he would want to hammer the bottom of the zone. On the other side, the pitcher throwing 83 MPH has a Bauer Unit measurement of 26 which is incredibly impressive. This would allow him to throw up in the zone even though his velocity is not blow away type numbers because he produces above average spin with that slated velocity. 

FASTBALL INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK

As far as deception and importance goes, fast induced vertical break (IVB) may be the most important. Induced vertical break is not what is sounds. IVB simply means the pitch is "breaking" upward from the average level a pitch falls from release to home plate. This is a stat that you want to stay away from being average at. Fortunately, this can be tweaked slightly depending on release height. To put it simply, the higher number =  more "rise" the pitch has compared to average. Lower number = more depth the pitch has to it. 

CURVEBALL SPIN RATE

Spin rate on curveballs is pretty simple: higher spin = nastier stuff. There are some ways to manipulate spin numbers slightly but for the most part spin is spin. At the moment, there are no well known ways to change your spin in a big way. Spin not only dictates how sharp your curveball is, but it can also aid in keeping hitters honest by having similar rotation matching that of your fastball. 

 

Fastball Breakdown

Velocity: When evaluating velocity, it is important to take the age of the player into account. Although 82 MPH may not be eye popping just taking a raw look at it, we need to think about every other freshman out there. 82 MPH is a pretty quality measurement for a '24 arm and the rest of the numbers in the Trackman profile should be treated as such. 

Spin Rate (SR): Van Haaren has a fairly average spin rate, but when we look at velocity we can figure that there is much more left in the tank. Coming in at 2057 RPM on average, it appears that Van Haaren could pump those numbers up some when his velocity begins to increase in the coming years of high school. 

Bauer Units: Bauer Units are valuable in the evaluation of if the spin is good for the level of velocity. Falling in around 27 units, it is apparent that Van Haaren creates some really good spin for his velocity. His spin is well above the typical amount for his velocity. This usually means that there could be an uptick in velocity coming soon or there is a leak in velocity somewhere within his mechanics. 

Induced Vertical Break (IVB): Van Haaren comes in with some pretty impressive IVB numbers. With his max at 22.2", Van Haaren could throw up in the zone, but he also has to take into account his horizontal break numbers before he makes any permanent decisions. At an average of 15.6" and 19.4", Van Haaren is inducing some insane horizontal movement on his fastball. When you have a ton of horizontal movement it is usually not the greatest idea to throw up in the zone as well. VH could throw at the bottom of the zone and take hitter's thumbs off with his running fastball. 

Curveball Breakdown

Spin Rate (SR): VH possesses some upper end spin on his curveball with an average of 2290 RPM. It is a telling sign for a young arm to have good spin on his curveball. Typically you see younger arms forcing the spin on the curveballs and in turn producing lower spin numbers. The fact that VH can throw his curveball with a bit of ease, means that good things are coming in his development in the coming years for both his fastball and his curveball. 

Horizontal/Vertical Break: When we look at horizontal movement (HM) you want to think about it on a number line scale from the pitcher's view to home. At pitcher's mound, the measurement would be zero if someone threw a pitch that didn't move to either side. If a pitch moves to the left, it is a negative number and if a pitch moves to the right it would be a positive number. VH's curveball has some pretty absurd movement numbers. With his max depth on his curveball being 9", it is a top 10% movement profile among high school arms. Matching this up with 19" of break to his glove side, it's a pretty big pitch. VH owns a pretty top of the line curveball, with his fastball coming up to par in the coming years VH will be a dangerous arm to face but an amazing arm to follow.