The Mound Visit
MMV #016: Evaluating How Good Your "Stuff" is
April 17, 2023 · 2 min read · Jared Gaynor
Read time: 2.5 minutes
There is no debating that having good stuff matters.
While command is also important, above average stuff gives you more margin for error.
Today, we are going to talk through 3 ways to evaluate your arsenal:
1. Velocity
2. Movement
3. Release Height
Let's begin.
1. Velocity
Velocity on your fastball is the first thing people usually look at.
BUT, your off-speed velo matters as well.
Average velo difference from fastball:
CT - 4 mph
SL - 9 mph
CB - 14 mph
CH - 8 mph
The faster your breaking ball is the better, but remember that movement will usually be sacrificed.
You need to understand what that tradeoff is.
Average FB velo by level:
D1 - 88.6 mph
Power 5 - 90.6 mph
MiLB - 91.7 mph
MLB - 93.5 mph
Average velocity is going up every year at every level.
2. Movement
When evaluating movement, look at it in relation to the primary fastball.
Looking at pitches by themselves doesn’t tell the whole story.
Let’s look at the example below:
Both have the exact same slider, but different fastball movement.
The perception to the hitter is completely different.
The slider on the left appears slurvey, while the one on the right appears closer to a cutter.
How your pitches move in relation to your fastball matters.
Average movement separation off fastball:
(IVB”, HB”)
CT - 4.5/11
SL - 12/15
CB - 23/18
CH - 5/3
3. Release Height
Your release (vertically and horizontally) allows the movement to play better or worse.
This is why high release sinkers and low release, high VB fastballs play so well.
It’s unique and the approach is very steep and very flat, respectively.
Examples:
Clay Holmes Sinker (-6.86 VAA)
Craig Kimbrel FB (-3.65 VAA)
Couple Notes:
OS velo is important.
OS movement is important.
Don’t get stuck with bad velo and bad movement.
Be unique and different in as many of these 3 categories as you can.
RECAP:
- Off-speed velo matters
- Evaluate OS movement off FB
- Release plays into how good a pitch is
That's it for this week.
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