ALBERTVILLE, AL – The 2025 Yellowhammer State Games took place on Tuesday, June 17th and Wednesday, June 18th at Sand Mountain Park in Albertville, AL. This invite-only event brought together nearly 200 of the top high school prospects in Alabama from the 2026-2030 graduating classes. Over the course of two days, players participated in an extended pro-style workout featuring batting practice tracked by Trackman, 60-yard dash testing using VALD Performance, and more. Pitchers had the opportunity to compete in simulated innings during gameplay, capturing key metrics such as velocity, spin rate, and movement data via Trackman.

A few statistical breakdowns from the premier event of the summer:

• 38 60-yard dashes under 7.00
• 43 top EVs over 97.0 mph
• 28 top FB velocities 85.0 mph or higher
• 25 top INF velocities 85 mph or higher
• 16 top OF velocities 85 mph or higher
• 18 top C velocities 75 mph or higher
• 20 best pop times under 2.00

As part of our post-event coverage, we're diving into the leaders from each advanced data category. Stay tuned throughout the week as we continue to release more leaderboards and individual scouting reports for every player who participated.

To view the full event statistics, CLICK HERE.

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FASTBALL 

MAX VELOCITY (MPH)

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.

SPIN EFFICIENCY% (AVG.)

Spin Efficiency: This metric is the percentage of the raw spin rate that directly impacts pitch movement; so while raw spin is measured by revolutions per minute (rpm), spin efficiency is the ratio of true spin divided by raw spin. It’s important to understand that more is not always better when it comes to spin efficiency. The optimal spin efficiency on a pitch depends on the pitch type and should be understood in the context of a pitcher’s entire arsenal. Regarding the true four-seam fastball, a spin efficiency close to 100 percent is preferable, indicating that nearly all the backspin generated on the ball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand is contributing to the “riding” action the pitch has as it enters and exits the strike zone, making it especially effective in the upper third of the strike zone.

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 efficiency. 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 the 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 percent strikes, and better pitchers throw strikes 65 percent of the time, or a ratio of roughly 2:1, strikes to balls.

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CURVEBALL

SPIN RATE (AVG.)

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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SLIDER

SPIN RATE (AVG.)

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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CHANGEUP

SPIN RATE (AVG.)

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

+ CLICK HERE for a look at the complete statistics from the event.

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2025 SUMMER SCHEDULE ⤵️

We’re excited to announce that our 2025 summer event schedule is now live! This year, we’re traveling to all parts of Alabama, giving players across the state the opportunity to compete and showcase their skills. Don’t miss your chance to get signed up — CLICK HERE for more details or to register! 

 

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