NORTHPORT, AL - The 2026 Yellowhammer State Games made its debut to River Run Park in Northport, AL, on June 16-17 for the third edition of the premier summer event on the Prep Baseball Alabama calendar. More than 210 of the state's top prospects from the 2027-2030 classes converged in Northport for two days of pro-style workouts and gameplay while competing alongside and against many of Alabama's top talents.

With Future Games, Junior Future Games, and other marquee summer events on the horizon, the Yellowhammer State Games once again served as one of the most important evaluation opportunities of the year for the Prep Baseball Alabama staff. The event featured high-level competition, loud statistical performances, and numerous prospects who further elevated their stock heading into the remainder of the summer.

Following the event, our staff takes a deeper dive into the data collected from various parts of the showcase. Below, we take a look at the top statistical performers from the event in each measured category.

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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.)

INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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SLIDER

SPIN RATE (AVG.)

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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CHANGEUP

INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)

STRIKE ZONE RATE%

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UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Birmingham Summer ID	June 30, 2026	Pelham High School
Birmingham Rising Stars ID	June 30, 2026	Pelham High School
Tuscaloosa Summer ID	July 7, 2026	Northridge High School
Tuscaloosa Rising Stars ID	July 7, 2026	Northridge High School
Wiregrass Summer ID	July 14, 2026	Enterprise High School
Wiregrass Rising Stars ID	July 14, 2026	Enterprise High School

 

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