WV Top Prospect Games: Pitching Data Dive
August 31, 2026
On August 5th, the Prep Baseball Pennsylvania staff hosted the WV Top Prospect Games at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Over 35 players participated in a pro-style workout and live at-bats, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball Pennsylvania staff.
Today, we will be looking at the top measurable data performers from the event, found below.
Follow The Team
Follow @DanCevette Follow @ocker_n Follow @JC_NY_PA Follow @JoeWalentin Follow @NathanGoranson Follow @ChrisDryllPB
Trackman
FASTBALL
VELOCITY (MAX)
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 efficiencies. 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 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% strikes, and better pitchers throw strikes 65% of the time, or roughly 2:1 strikes to balls.
CURVEBALL
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
SLIDER
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
CHANGEUP
Spin Rate (AVG.)
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
+ CLICK HERE for a look at the complete statistics from the event.
RELATED CONTENT
- PA On Deck Preview - PA Fall Games: 2029 1B/LHP Keegan Widenhofer (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) 9/07/26
- PA Rising Stars on the Radar: 2029 SS Ryan Wheeler (Devon Prep) 9/05/26
- PA 2026 End of Summer Rankings: Class of 2029 Newcomers 9/04/26
- PA On Deck Preview - PA Fall Games: 2028 SS Karsten Lenyk (Butler Area) 9/03/26
- PA 2026 PA Summer Rankings Update: Class of '29 Highest Risers 9/03/26
