With velocity on the rise in every level of the game, hitters are making the adjustment to combat this change, power vs power. The access to technology such as Rapsodo, Trackman, Diamond Kinetics, Flight Scope, and others has given pitchers the upper hand with the ability to design individual pitches.
Being able to pair off-speed pitches with fastballs, holding trajectory for extended distance before separation or referred to the concept of “Tunneling”, is essential for effective pitch sequencing. Identifying what pitch characteristics match efficiently with a pitchers existing arsenal determine which off-speed pitches pair best with the primary fastball.
Sliders prototypically work within a spin efficiency range of 15-30% based on the pitch characteristics. Those characteristics being combinations of gyro, side, back, and top spin. Velocity typically creates a differential of 8-10 mph from the primary fastball, placing it in the same category of a typical changeup in regards to velocity. Spin Rate & True Spin can be up and down the spectrum, resulting in changes in vertical & horizontal break based on spin direction and characteristics as mentioned earlier.
Being new to Rapsodo technology having a strictly subjective coaching experience utilizing internal + external cueing, grip adjustments paired with finger pressure, and iPhone video being the primary tools in my tool box upon arrival to Post University, there was a large learning curve with the data analytics and how it applied to pitch design.
Above is an example of a slider thrown by Post University RHP, Tyler Boisvert, from today’s short box pitch design Rapsodo session. What we are looking for when developing a slider, is to have a differential between vertical and horizontal break, and a spin axis between 7:00 & 9:00 for RHP. Given, this is a lower intent slider so the spin rate is down to 1500 RPM compared to a maximal intent slider featured below at 2011 RPM during pitch design bullpen.
Through the pitch design process, the biggest challenge was to adjust the pitch characteristics to influence change from identifying as a sweeping curveball to a slider with improved horizontal break without the major kill of vertical lift.
Pitch Design is a never ending process of trial and error, grips was the first point of attack in making the transition in off-speed identification. Adjustments in thumb placement was a huge point of emphasis in creating horizontal break without introducing major pitch cues. Especially being a ¾ arm, the tendency to prematurely round the baseball was frequent early in the design process.
“Hook the catcher’s left heel”, a primary internal cue used with Tyler to prevent wrist extension through release and force a degree of wrist flexion to fight vertical lift out of the hand to pair with the primary fastball. The video is an example of who the internal cue affects the spin direction of his slider:
Shot w/ Sony RX100V
Slider results from first outing down in West Virginia @ University of Charleston:
Pitches: 17
Strike %: 88.0% (15/17)
Swing & Miss %: 41.2%
Take for Strike%: 47.1%
Contact %: 11.8%
Average Slider Velocity: 73.3 mph
(All % are rounded up to next decimal point)
Being a beginner in the pitch design world utilizing data analytics, things can be overwhelming and frustrating trying to crush data and implement it into a pitch design session on the fly. Each and every pitcher is DIFFERENT, cues, or lack there of, and grips that work for one guy cannot be implemented on a mass scale. Some examples to take into account when developing a slider into an athletes arsenal:
Does a slider pair with other pitches? Is there more vertical lift than horizontal movement? Does it pass the eye test?
Utilize video, whether it be on a iPhone or a high definition slow mo camera! Let’s be honest we all can’t see everything, why not make the process easier on yourself? Trial and error, test and retest, over and over again.
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Sources & Influence:
Rapsodo Baseball (Post University Data)
Driveline Baseball (https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2017/04/basics-pitch-design-using-rapsodo/)
RPP Performance (http://rocklandpeakperformance.com/pitch-development-and-design-sliders-part-4/)
Essentials of Baseball Development 