North AL Preseason All-State: Data Dive, Pitchers
January 14, 2024
HARTSELLE, AL - The North AL Preseason All-State was held on Saturday, January 6th at Hartselle High School in Hartselle, AL. This event was an invite-only event that consisted of some of the top prospects from the 2024-2028 classes. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, ran the 30 yard dash using Swift Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated bullpens during the workout and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement & much more. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Saturday.
Last week, we broke down the stat leaders from the more traditional categories in our statistical analysis. Today, we will take an even closer look at the position players in attendance with the help of our tech partners, broken down by the categories and leaderboards below.
FASTBALL
MAX VELOCITY (MPH)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
1 | Caleb Barnett | AL | Mountain Brook | 2025 | 3B | 90.8 mph |
2 | Jackson Hunter | AL | Hazel Green | 2024 | RHP | 90.8 mph |
3 | Chase Cartron | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | LHP | 90.5 mph |
4 | Andrew Allen | AL | Alexandria | 2024 | RHP | 90.2 mph |
5 | Gabe Jones | AL | Oak Mountain High School | 2025 | RHP | 89.9 mph |
6 | Austin Uptain | AL | Athens | 2024 | RHP | 89.0 mph |
7 | Colby Durden | AL | HewittTrussville High School | 2025 | RHP | 88.7 mph |
8 | Jack Doyle | AL | Madison Academy | 2025 | RHP | 88.2 mph |
9 | Payton Hunsaker | AL | Chelsea High School | 2025 | LHP | 88.0 mph |
10 | Price Thornton | AL | Deshler | 2026 | RHP | 87.4 mph |
11 | Luke Holbrook | AL | WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 2025 | RHP | 87.4 mph |
12 | Dylan Olive | AL | Muscle Shoals High School | 2026 | RHP | 87.3 mph |
13 | Brody King | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | RHP | 87.2 mph |
14 | William Andre | AL | Hoover | 2025 | RHP | 87.1 mph |
15 | Brandt Cummings | AL | Russellville | 2024 | SS | 87.0 mph |
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Caleb Simpson | AL | Hoover High School | 2027 | RHP | 2435 rpm |
2 | Andrew Allen | AL | Alexandria | 2024 | RHP | 2419 rpm |
3 | Caleb Barnett | AL | Mountain Brook | 2025 | 3B | 2410 rpm |
4 | Drew Jackson III | AL | AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 2028 | LHP | 2359 rpm |
5 | Jack Shaw | AL | Bob Jones High School | 2025 | RHP | 2335 rpm |
6 | Payton Hunsaker | AL | Chelsea High School | 2025 | LHP | 2327 rpm |
7 | Brody King | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | RHP | 2322 rpm |
8 | Eli Martin | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | 2297 rpm |
9 | Jackson Hunter | AL | Hazel Green | 2024 | RHP | 2265 rpm |
10 | Gabe Jones | AL | Oak Mountain High School | 2025 | RHP | 2237 rpm |
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.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Efficiency % (avg) |
1 | Jace Duckett | AL | Madison County High School | 2027 | OF | 96 % |
2 | Chase Cartron | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | LHP | 95 % |
3 | Gavin Holland | AL | Sardis High School | 2027 | SS | 94 % |
4 | Sam Jackson | AL | LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY | 2025 | 1B | 94 % |
5 | Eli Martin | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | 94 % |
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.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Andrew Beaverson | AL | Hazel Green High School | 2026 | RHP | 21.2 in |
2 | Colby Durden | AL | HewittTrussville High School | 2025 | RHP | 19.9 in |
3 | Henry Thomas Blanke | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | 18.3 in |
4 | Hudson Campbell | GA | Glenwood | 2026 | OF | 18.2 in |
5 | Payton Hunsaker | AL | Chelsea High School | 2025 | LHP | 18.1 in |
6 | Luke Holbrook | AL | WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 2025 | RHP | 17.8 in |
7 | Brandt Cummings | AL | Russellville | 2024 | SS | 17.8 in |
8 | Maxwell Crowder | AL | Hoover High School | 2026 | RHP | 17.5 in |
9 | Caleb Barnett | AL | Mountain Brook | 2025 | 3B | 17.5 in |
10 | Tanner Hermesch | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | RHP | 17.3 in |
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.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Aydan Beard | AL | Hackleburg | 2024 | RHP | 16.7 |
2 | Jace Duckett | AL | Madison County High School | 2027 | OF | -16.3 |
3 | Gavin Holland | AL | Sardis High School | 2027 | SS | 15.3 |
4 | Peyton Webb | AL | THE DONOHO SCHOOL | 2024 | OF | 15.3 |
5 | Jack Doyle | AL | Madison Academy | 2025 | RHP | 15.3 |
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%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Dylan Rainey | AL | Westbrook Christian | 2025 | RHP | 100 % |
2 | Jeffery Rich | AL | Huntsville High School | 2028 | SS | 80 % |
^ | Charlie Cassingham | AL | Virgil Grissom | 2025 | SS | 80 % |
3 | Karter Perry | AL | Pell City High School | 2026 | OF | 71 % |
4 | Andrew Allen | AL | Alexandria | 2024 | RHP | 70 % |
5 | Gavin Holland | AL | Sardis High School | 2027 | SS | 66 % |
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.
CURVEBALL
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Charlie Cassingham | AL | Virgil Grissom | 2025 | SS | 2751 rpm |
2 | Jackson Hunter | AL | Hazel Green | 2024 | RHP | 2750 rpm |
3 | Gabe Jones | AL | Oak Mountain High School | 2025 | RHP | 2681 rpm |
4 | Cayden Johns | AL | Russellville | 2024 | 3B | 2367 rpm |
5 | Caleb Simpson | AL | Hoover High School | 2027 | RHP | 2351 rpm |
6 | Maxwell Crowder | AL | Hoover High School | 2026 | RHP | 2331 rpm |
7 | Caleb Barnett | AL | Mountain Brook | 2025 | 3B | 2310 rpm |
8 | Ty Hunter | AL | Hazel Green High School | 2028 | OF | 2299 rpm |
9 | William Andre | AL | Hoover | 2025 | RHP | 2269 rpm |
10 | Colby Durden | AL | HewittTrussville High School | 2025 | RHP | 2241 rpm |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Caleb Barnett | AL | Mountain Brook | 2025 | 3B | -19.1 |
2 | Dylan Rainey | AL | Westbrook Christian | 2025 | RHP | -17.2 |
3 | William Andre | AL | Hoover | 2025 | RHP | -16.1 |
4 | Robbins Lowe | AL | Huntsville High School | 2028 | 1B | -15.4 |
5 | Sam Jackson | AL | LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY | 2025 | 1B | -15.1 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Maxwell Crowder | AL | Hoover High School | 2026 | RHP | 100 % |
^ | Sam Jackson | AL | LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY | 2025 | 1B | 100 % |
^ | Caleb Simpson | AL | Hoover High School | 2027 | RHP | 100 % |
^ | Joshua Burrell Jr | AL | Virgil Grissom | 2025 | SS | 100 % |
^ | Gunner Sappington | AL | Russellville High School | 2025 | RHP | 100 % |
^ | Henry Thomas Blanke | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | 100 % |
^ | Jack Doyle | AL | Madison Academy | 2025 | RHP | 100 % |
^ | Brandt Cummings | AL | Russellville | 2024 | SS | 100 % |
^ | Dylan Rainey | AL | Westbrook Christian | 2025 | RHP | 100 % |
2 | Jace Duckett | AL | Madison County High School | 2027 | OF | 75 % |
^ | Andrew Beaverson | AL | Hazel Green High School | 2026 | RHP | 75 % |
SLIDER
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Payton Hunsaker | AL | Chelsea High School | 2025 | LHP | 2589 |
2 | Brody King | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | RHP | 2513 |
3 | Jack Shaw | AL | Bob Jones High School | 2025 | RHP | 2474 |
4 | Eli Martin | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | 2290 |
5 | Dylan Rainey | AL | Westbrook Christian | 2025 | RHP | 2286 |
6 | Luke Holbrook | AL | WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 2025 | RHP | 2154 |
7 | Peyton Webb | AL | THE DONOHO SCHOOL | 2024 | OF | 2109 |
8 | Aydan Beard | AL | Hackleburg | 2024 | RHP | 2074 |
9 | Austin Uptain | AL | Athens | 2024 | RHP | 2072 |
10 | Price Thornton | AL | Deshler | 2026 | RHP | 2065 |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Dylan Rainey | AL | Westbrook Christian | 2025 | RHP | -15.3 |
2 | Brody King | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | RHP | -12.5 |
3 | Payton Hunsaker | AL | Chelsea High School | 2025 | LHP | 12.3 |
4 | Eli Martin | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | 10.7 |
5 | Owen Edwards | AL | Oak Mountain High School | 2025 | LHP | 9.1 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Brody King | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | RHP | 100 % |
2 | Dylan Rainey | AL | Westbrook Christian | 2025 | RHP | 66 % |
3 | Price Thornton | AL | Deshler | 2026 | RHP | 50 % |
4 | Eli Martin | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | 40 % |
^ | Jack Shaw | AL | Bob Jones High School | 2025 | RHP | 40 % |
5 | Austin Uptain | AL | Athens | 2024 | RHP | 33 % |
^ | Owen Edwards | AL | Oak Mountain High School | 2025 | LHP | 33 % |
^ | Peyton Webb | AL | THE DONOHO SCHOOL | 2024 | OF | 33 % |
CHANGEUP
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Jackson Hunter | AL | Hazel Green | 2024 | RHP | 2084 rpm |
2 | Brody King | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | RHP | 2048 rpm |
3 | Andrew Allen | AL | Alexandria | 2024 | RHP | 2015 rpm |
4 | Charlie Cassingham | AL | Virgil Grissom | 2025 | SS | 2010 rpm |
5 | Jack Shaw | AL | Bob Jones High School | 2025 | RHP | 1978 rpm |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Tanner Hermesch | AL | Bob Jones | 2025 | RHP | 20.0 |
2 | Eli Martin | AL | Florence | 2025 | LHP | -18.6 |
3 | Gabe Jones | AL | Oak Mountain High School | 2025 | RHP | 18.4 |
4 | Brody King | AL | Huntsville | 2024 | RHP | 17.7 |
5 | Jace Duckett | AL | Madison County High School | 2027 | OF | -17.1 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Caleb Barnett | AL | Mountain Brook | 2025 | 3B | 100 % |
^ | Robbins Lowe | AL | Huntsville High School | 2028 | 1B | 100 % |
^ | Jace Duckett | AL | Madison County High School | 2027 | OF | 100 % |
2 | Jesse Isensee | AL | James Clemens High School | 2026 | SS | 66 % |
^ | Gavin Holland | AL | Sardis High School | 2027 | SS | 66 % |
^ | Hudson Campbell | GA | Glenwood | 2026 | OF | 66 % |
+ CLICK HERE for a look at the complete statistics from the event.
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