(06-17-2019 12:12 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote: I recently saw a tweet where a former MLB pitcher was working with a HS pitcher. The tweet included info from some pitches in a bullpen. Included (not all listed here) were the location of the release point, speed, horizontal and vertical movement, spin rate, and more.
I know the Astros are big into this type of stuff, using it not only to identify talent but how to pitch to hitters. This made me wonder if Rice uses this, and if so, how do they use it. Can someone in the know advise if this is being used, if so how, and maybe provide some info on what equipment (and vendor) is required for this analysis? If used, is it in bullpens, games, or both? While information is good, it is equally important what you do with it.
If you have read some of my other posts you may have figured out that I'm really a fan of the new analytics in baseball. The SEC has the Trackman system in every ballpark in the SEC. Trackman will "track" pitch location, velocity, spin rate (to some degree), release point as well as batted ball exit velocity, launch angle and distance) so it is more than just a pitching tool. HawkEye is the next generation of optical tracking that MLB is going to and is way ahead of what TrackMan can do. HawkEye is used in Tennis for ball tracking etc. I also believe Hawkeye can track player movement etc. in the field.
Rapsodo is another tool that can be used either in game or in bullpen sessions that is more accurate than Trackman and provides basically the same data but is more portable than trackman (i.e. can be moved from BP to game etc.). I see this more of use as a BP tool for pitch evaluation and sequencing.
Edgertronic cameras is the best video tool available as it is a super high speed camera that actually captures where the fingers are at release point for better understanding on how the ball comes off the fingers and what adjustments can be made. FYI, the Astros have 6-7 of these cameras around MMP as well as Trackman (soon to be Hawkeye). The Astros also have these tools in all levels of their minor league system). They are way ahead of the competition as of now.
If Rice had Trackman for instance I believe any data that they gathered on visiting teams could be kept in house (i.e. would not have to be shared) until the Conference either mandated the installation or required the sharing of the data. This would be good data to have prior to the Conference tournament and for future seasons as well. Trackman is not noticeable unless you know what you are looking for. The Cape League has this at all their fields as well and the data is provided to any MLB team that requests it.
There are plenty of Rice students who I think could really sink their teeth into the data and provide reports to players and coaches on how best to utilize each players strengths.
Cost: I believe Trackman is about $15K, Rapsodo $8K and Edgertronic cameras I think about 8-10K. Rapsodo, at minimum, would be a great help to the pitchers that embraced the data and would also be a good recruiting tool for the players that see the obvious benefit. In the grand scheme these tools are relatively inexpensive for the benefit they provide. FYI, Vanderbilt has all of these systems.
Hope this helps some.