@Johnballa20 
87
Velocity (max)
8/08/23
CLASS OF 2024
RHP
John
Balla
Southwestern Illinois JC
Hersey (HS) • IL
6' 0" • 180LBS
R/R • 16yr 4mo
Travel Team: Athletic Barn
Hersey (HS) • IL
6' 0" • 180LBS
R/R • 16yr 4mo
Travel Team: Athletic Barn
Rankings
2024 National
Rankings available to Premium Subscriber
2024 State
Rankings available to Premium Subscriber
Commitment
Best Of Stats
Fastball
83.9 - 86.1
Velo Range
8/08/23
2233
Spin Rate (avg)
8/08/23
Changeup
78.5 - 80.2
Velo Range
8/08/23
1867
Spin Rate (avg)
2/26/23
Curveball
68.1 - 69.2
Velo Range
8/08/23
2709
Spin Rate (avg)
8/08/23
Slider
74.1 - 74.2
Velo Range
8/08/23
2814
Spin Rate (avg)
8/08/23
Positional Tools
Hitting
Hitting
Pitching
2023
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Fastball
Velocity Max
The maximum observed fastball velocity in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
86.6
Fastball
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
84.7
Fastball
Spin Rate Avg
The average rate of spin for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in rotations per minute (RPM).
2213
Fastball
Spin Score Avg
The average Bauer Units value of all fastballs in the given event year. Bauer Units are calculated for each pitch by dividing Spin Rate by Velocity.
26.1
Fastball
Total Movement Avg
The average total non-gravity movement for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in inches (in).
Curveball
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
68.2
Curveball
Spin Rate Avg
The average rate of spin for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in rotations per minute (RPM).
2680
Curveball
Total Movement Avg
The average total non-gravity movement for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in inches (in).
Changeup
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
78.3
Changeup
Spin Rate Avg
The average rate of spin for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in rotations per minute (RPM).
1814
Changeup
Total Movement Avg
The average total non-gravity movement for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in inches (in).
Slider
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
74.1
Slider
Spin Rate Avg
The average rate of spin for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in rotations per minute (RPM).
2814
Slider
Total Movement Avg
The average total non-gravity movement for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in inches (in).
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Trackman - Fastball
86.6
Velocity (max)
83.9 - 86.1
Velo Range
84.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,410
Spin Rate (max)
2,233
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - Curveball
70.0
Velocity (max)
68.1 - 69.2
Velo Range
67.0
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,820
Spin Rate (max)
2,709
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - Slider
74.2
Velocity (max)
74.1 - 74.2
Velo Range
73.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,814
Spin Rate (max)
2,814
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - ChangeUp
80.2
Velocity (max)
78.5 - 80.2
Velo Range
79.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,007
Spin Rate (max)
1,684
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Joliet Preseason ID
Feb 26, 2023
Trackman - Fastball
84.6
Velocity (max)
82.9 - 84.3
Velo Range
82.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,210
Spin Rate (max)
2,138
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - Curveball
67.8
Velocity (max)
66.8 - 67.8
Velo Range
65.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,722
Spin Rate (max)
2,622
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - ChangeUp
78.3
Velocity (max)
77.2 - 78.3
Velo Range
76.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
1,890
Spin Rate (max)
1,867
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Pitch Scores
2023
Fastball
Hop+
A fastball with hop has a flat approach angle and visually jumps through the zone. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher swing and miss average. Hop+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Sink+
A fastball with sink has low backspin and drops through the strike zone. When thrown down in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher ground ball percentage and lower launch angle. Sink+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Rise+
A fastball with rise has a high percentage of backspin. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher fly ball percentage. Rise+ of 100 is MLB average
Curveball
Hammer+
A hammer breaking ball drops vertically with velocity through the zone, or 12-to-6 movement. Hammer+ of 100 is MLB average.
Curveball
Sweep+
A sweeping breaking ball moves horizontally with velocity through the zone. Sweep+ of 100 is MLB average.
Pitching Velos
2023
Fastball
Velocity Max
The maximum observed fastball velocity in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
87.0
Fastball
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH)
84.2
Curveball
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH)
68.0
Changeup
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH)
78.2
Slider
Velocity Avg
The average velocity for all pitches of this type in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH)
74.0
Game Performance
Vizual Edge
Pitch Ai
Notes
News
- Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason ID: All-Time Leaderboard - Jan 21, 2025
- Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 9 Hersey - Mar 9, 2024
- Recruiting Roundup: Week of 10/29 - Nov 3, 2023
- Illinois State Games: 2024 Pitcher Analysis - Oct 25, 2023
- Illinois State Games Takeaways: 2024s - Aug 16, 2023
- Joliet Preseason ID: Pitcher Analysis - May 31, 2023
- Joliet Preseason ID: Takeaways - Mar 6, 2023
Comments
Draft Reports
Contact
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Verbally committed to Southwestern Illinois JC.
RHP John Balla (Hersey, 2024), recent Illinois State Games participant, gave our staff another upside look this past weekend. Listed at 6-foot, 180-pounds, athletic with round shoulders. Ball worked his fastball in the 82-84 mph range with around 2400 RPM. To pair off the fastball he went to a high-spinning breaking ball, cruising around 2500 RPM at 67-68 mph with sharp 11/5 action.
RHP John Balla (Hersey, 2024) showed off a loud arsenal during the nightcap on Wednesday. The right-handed pitcher stands at a broad-shouldered 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame with strength throughout. Balla uses a balanced delivery and short arm action with acceleration out front. Coming out of the bullpen, Balla fired off a heavy dose of fastballs that pounded the inside part of the plate. The fastball played up (T2410 RPM) and sat 84-86 throughout, topping at 86.6 mph. Balla showed feel for a high-spin curveball (T2820 RPM) that played with two-plane break to get swings and misses down in the zone.
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Methodical drop/drive delivery with a high leg lift, reaches down the mound with front foot, stride works in-line. Struck out two and did not allow a hit in two innings of work.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm loop with 3/4 slot, whippy.
FB: T87, 84-86 mph. Jumps out of the hand, plays with carry up in the zone. T2410, 2233 average rpm.
CB: 68-69 mph. Late, sharp break with 12/6 shape. T2820, 2709 average rpm.
SL: 74-74 mph. Flashed feel, sharp 10/4 shape. T2814, 2814 average rpm.
CH: 78-80 mph. Downer type with some occasional fade. Still developing feel. T2007, 1684 average rpm.
RHP John Balla (Hersey, 2024) boasted some of the best spin on the entire day, routinely sitting in the 2,600-2,700 RPM range with his curveball, playing with downer 11/5 shape at 66-67 mph. His fastball plays up due to his high-level curveball spin, but it's already a quality offering on its own; sitting comfortably in the 82-84 mph range. His final offering was a straight change at 77-78 mph.
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Athletic build, well proportioned.
Delivery: Stretch only, high leg-lift into a coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half that works across body throughout stride.
Arm Action: RH. Quick, clean, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 83-84 mph. Lively out of the hand, consistently plays down in the zone. T2210, 2138 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Downer action, plays down in the zone. Developing pitch. T2722, 2622 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Downer action, feel for the zone, lands. T1890, 1867 average rpm.