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
Slider
Hammer+
A hammer breaking ball drops vertically with velocity through the zone, or 12-to-6 movement. Hammer+ of 100 is MLB average.
Slider
Sweep+
A sweeping breaking ball moves horizontally with velocity through the zone. Sweep+ of 100 is MLB average.
The reactive strength index measurement of an athlete's explosiveness by comparing their jump height to the ground contact time in between their jumps. On a scale of 0-5.
Vertical Jump
A measure of any athlete's body strength and reach calculated from the flight time divided by the contact time.
Michael Strong, St. Louis University (MO), 2026 Positional Profile: RHP/1B Body: 6-1, 206-pounds. Tall athletic frame with room for added strength. Delivery: Uptempo drop and drive delivery. Uses a moderate leg lift before striding straight down the mound into a balanced landing with recoil. Arm Action: RH. Short loose arm action from a 3/4 slot. FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Some strikes, feel for high spin, arm side run. T2313, 2249 average rpm. SL: 76-77 mph. High spin, some strikes, rolling right to left break. T2708, 2660 average rpm. CH: 80-82 mph. Some strikes, kills spin, arm side fade. T1622, 1580 average rpm.
2/22/25
RHP Michael Strong (St. Louis University, 2026) is an uncommitted arm to watch closely this spring. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, he offers a strong, well-proportioned frame with a powerful presence on the mound. His arsenal is headlined by an 85-87 mph fastball that jumps out of the hand with occasional arm-side run. His most impressive secondary offering was a sharp 75-76 mph slider, which played laterally with late bite and elite spin rates reaching 2,700 RPM. Strong also showcased a feel for his 80-82 mph changeup, effectively spotting it at the bottom of the zone for strikes.
2/19/24
Michael Strong, SLUH (MO), 2026 Positional Profile: RHP/1B Body: 6-1, 197-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build. Delivery: Stretch delivery. Comes set to a tall, square position. Upright balance point. Works quickly down the mound with intent and strong lead leg. Arm Action: RH. Long high-3/4 arm action with arm speed. FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Arm-side run. Quick out of the hand. T2624, 2552 average rpm. SL: 76-77 mph. Sharp sweep action. Above-average spin. T2819, 2737 average rpm. CH: 77-79 mph. Solid fade action. Pronates hard to kill spin. T1997, 1820 average rpm. ATH: 28.00 max vertical.
2/19/24
Michael Strong, SLUH (MO), 2026 Positional Profile: RHP/1B Body: 6-1, 197-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build. Hit: RHH. Square, upright stance. Quiet pre-pitch actions. Hands load back into a toe-tap and minimal stride. Uphill, rotational swing path. Looks to elevate the ball. Quick through the zone. Pull approach. 63 mph bat speed with 13 G's of rotational acceleration. Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 79.6 mph. 303' max distance. Arm: RH. ATH: 28.00 max vertical.
2/19/24
RHP Michael Strong (SLUH, 2026) had the loudest raw stuff on the mound at this year’s St. Louis Preseason ID. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound sophomore pitched at 86-87 mph with a straight four-seam fastball that peaked at 2624 RPM, averaging 2552 RPM. His slider flashed late sweep (-13.4”) at 76-77 mph with considerable spin metrics (T2819 RPM, 2737 RPM avg) to pair. Though still fully harnessing his potent arsenal, Strong’s loud stuff and ability to spin the baseball left a positive impression on our staff following his PBR event debut.
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Grip strength is a measure of a players bat control and ability to transfer power and speed during impact, measured in pounds of force generated; collected with elbow bent at 90 degrees.
Grip Strgth (RH)
Grip strength is a measure of a players bat control and ability to transfer power and speed during impact, measured in pounds of force generated; collected with elbow bent at 90 degrees.
Grip Strgth (LH)
Grip strength is a measure of a players bat control and ability to transfer power and speed during impact, measured in pounds of force generated; collected with elbow bent at 90 degrees.
Grip Strgth (RH)
Grip strength is a measure of a players bat control and ability to transfer power and speed during impact, measured in pounds of force generated; collected with elbow bent at 90 degrees.
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 206-pounds. Tall athletic frame with room for added strength.
Delivery: Uptempo drop and drive delivery. Uses a moderate leg lift before striding straight down the mound into a balanced landing with recoil.
Arm Action: RH. Short loose arm action from a 3/4 slot.
FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Some strikes, feel for high spin, arm side run. T2313, 2249 average rpm.
SL: 76-77 mph. High spin, some strikes, rolling right to left break. T2708, 2660 average rpm.
CH: 80-82 mph. Some strikes, kills spin, arm side fade. T1622, 1580 average rpm.
Michael Strong, SLUH (MO), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 197-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Stretch delivery. Comes set to a tall, square position. Upright balance point. Works quickly down the mound with intent and strong lead leg.
Arm Action: RH. Long high-3/4 arm action with arm speed.
FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Arm-side run. Quick out of the hand. T2624, 2552 average rpm.
SL: 76-77 mph. Sharp sweep action. Above-average spin. T2819, 2737 average rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Solid fade action. Pronates hard to kill spin. T1997, 1820 average rpm.
ATH: 28.00 max vertical.
Michael Strong, SLUH (MO), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 197-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build.
Hit: RHH. Square, upright stance. Quiet pre-pitch actions. Hands load back into a toe-tap and minimal stride. Uphill, rotational swing path. Looks to elevate the ball. Quick through the zone. Pull approach. 63 mph bat speed with 13 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 79.6 mph. 303' max distance.
Arm: RH.
ATH: 28.00 max vertical.
RHP Michael Strong (SLUH, 2026) had the loudest raw stuff on the mound at this year’s St. Louis Preseason ID. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound sophomore pitched at 86-87 mph with a straight four-seam fastball that peaked at 2624 RPM, averaging 2552 RPM. His slider flashed late sweep (-13.4”) at 76-77 mph with considerable spin metrics (T2819 RPM, 2737 RPM avg) to pair. Though still fully harnessing his potent arsenal, Strong’s loud stuff and ability to spin the baseball left a positive impression on our staff following his PBR event debut.