High Spin Rate Pitching

If you listen to the Patreon version of the Gleeman and the Geek podcast, their last show they talked with Glen Perkins and spin rate came up. Specifically that he would mess with grips and stuff to get higher spin rates. Also that it's so much more real time that it was for him, just a decade ago. Back then he'd throw a session, then check the data. Now they can check it after every pitch.

Spin rate can't necessarily be taught but it can be enhanced. 

 

I wrote about developing fastballs with our high school program this past summer (you can read about it here). There's a consensus among the industry that you can't really teach it, you have it or you don't. Driveline says if you want a significant jump in spin rate, you add tack (rosin, bullfrog, pine tar, etc). This is another thing that the Astros have been accused of practicing, by the way. 

 

Legally, let's say you have a guy who is throwing a sub-optimal four-seam fastball -- he's cutting or turning his hand at release and reducing the spin. You can train that player to release the ball better and gain some spin (but more spin efficiency, which won't change the spin rate but a better spin efficiency will result in more carry, which keeps the pitch on that high plane like Odorizzi, rather than cutting or diving). 

 

This is where Rapsodo and Edgertronic cameras become so valuable to teams.

Thank you so much! very interesting article you wrote. I believe it`s a valuable tool for scouting & pitcher development. & like you said there probably a few high spin rate  pitchers that have been taught to pitch low & they are being clobbered that where good coaching needs to come in

Spin rate can't necessarily be taught but it can be enhanced. 

 

I wrote about developing fastballs with our high school program this past summer (you can read about it here). There's a consensus among the industry that you can't really teach it, you have it or you don't. Driveline says if you want a significant jump in spin rate, you add tack (rosin, bullfrog, pine tar, etc). This is another thing that the Astros have been accused of practicing, by the way. 

 

Legally, let's say you have a guy who is throwing a sub-optimal four-seam fastball -- he's cutting or turning his hand at release and reducing the spin. You can train that player to release the ball better and gain some spin (but more spin efficiency, which won't change the spin rate but a better spin efficiency will result in more carry, which keeps the pitch on that high plane like Odorizzi, rather than cutting or diving). 

 

This is where Rapsodo and Edgertronic cameras become so valuable to teams.

I think the Twins would do well if they hire you as a pitching instructor & or scout.