Mobility Screen

Chase has an “S” spine position in his athletic stance.  He was unable to create anterior or posterior pelvic tilt.  Chase was limited in his pelvic disassociation screen.  Chase is neutral in his thoracic rotation and hip mobility.  Chase was limited in his scapular palpation and also showed 4” of scapular retraction.  These two combined screens make creating a load and holding the load into the launch more difficult and thus should be monitored.

60 & IF Defense

Swing Video

Force Plate Swings

Chase produced 90% BW into the ground and loaded into his whole foot.  His front leg metric measured at 198% and he generated force very quickly. This metric shows Chase is forcefully landing his lead leg resulting in a quick energy transfer up the chain. On his back-leg Chase produced 22 Newtons and 104 on the front. We would focus more on torque if Chase was intentionally striding across his body. His x-axis timing, a metric used for adjustability, well lower than expectation at near 25%. Once Chase learns to hold heel or whole foot load, we will likely see this metric improve.

KVEST Sequencing & Rotational Speeds

Chase demonstrated good swing sequencing. His hips, torso, lead arm and bat were all in sequence. However, he presents an over rotation pattern. When his front heel strikes the ground, his torso is inwardly rotated at -52 degrees, and -54 degrees at first move. Inwardly rotating this much requires more time to contact and in turn making an early swing decision. Additionally, this will make his swing direction very difficult. Based off of the assessment, Chase is neutral in his thoracic rotation and what this means is he doesn’t need to inwardly rotate as he loads. However, he does need to learn a scap load and keep his left shoulder relatively in line with the pitcher.

Chase’s deceleration rates are well above average. He has the ability to stop one body segment quickly and engage the next one. Chase’s hip speeds are above expectation at 676 deg/sec while Torso speeds are good at 769 deg/sec. Additionally, the lead arm gets good speed gain at 930 deg/sec and the overall rotational speed is 1756 deg/sec. If we can improve his scap load and limit his counter rotation, his overall speed will likely increase.

Bat Sensor Data

Chase’s bat speeds slightly below average for his age at 55mph. His attack angles were on the higher end ranging from 15-19 degrees. In order to be stay on plane with the pitch Chase needs to lower his attack angle to 8-12 degrees. His rotational acceleration numbers were slightly low at 7-9 G’s. This show’s there is some “looseness” in the turn, meaning his hast cast away from his body as he rotates. His time to contact was well within expectation at 150ms. Vertical Bat Angles are based off of pitch location; Chase’s VBA were within expectation at -27 to -44.

Movement Prep

1. Rack or Open doorway assisted pelvic disassociation – place hands/forearms against anchored frame (keep shoulder line inside of frame). Rotate pelvis/hips w/out moving shoulders.
2. Push-up position with forearms on the ground. Rotate hips while keeping upper body stabile.
3. Partner assisted pelvic disassociation – have a partner support your shoulders. Rotate pelvis/hips w/out moving shoulders. Repeat from multiple postures (from high pitch to low pitch).
4. Partner assisted counter turn pelvic disassociation – have a partner turn your shoulders into counter rotation. Resist the rotation and rotate pelvis/hips while resisting the counter turn. Repeat from multiple postures.
5. Self resisted pelvic disassociation – start with a PVC on the shoulders for reference. Keep the PVC stabile while rotating pelvis/hips. Repeat from multiple postures.
6. Single leg 90 degrees internal hop pelvic disassociation – Start on back leg with front leg elevated. Hop on back foot, while in the air rotate the leg/foot 90 degrees internally, then land. Hop again and return the back leg/foot to initial starting position. Use PVC on shoulders for reference.

1. Sit-up position posterior tilt – start in sit-up position with your hand under your lower back. There will be a natural tilt of the pelvis into anterior position. From here begin the sit-up while trying to feel your lumbar spine press firmly into your hand. Once you feel this sensation you will return to original position. Next try to create the same sensation without raising your shoulders or hips off the ground.
2. Hands and knees anterior/posterior tilt – start on hands and knees (knees under hips). Create anterior and posterior tilt using as little thoracic movement as possible.
3. Hands and knees single arm anterior/posterior tilt – start on hands and knees (knees under hips) and bring one hand to your chest. Create anterior and posterior tilt using as little thoracic movement as possible. Repeat with the opposite hand on chest.
4. Standing hands on knees anterior/posterior tilt – start with hands on knees (athletic position). Create anterior and posterior tilt with as little thoracic movement as possible.
5. Standing single arm anterior/posterior tilt – start with one hand on a knee and the other on your chest (athletic position). Create anterior and posterior tilt with as little thoracic movement as possible. Repeat with opposite hand placement.
6. Dead bug progression – start on back with knees and hips bent at 90 degrees (you should feel your entire spine connected to the ground – if not bend slightly more from the hips). Elevate arms so the wrists and elbows are directly above the shoulder (towards the sky). Extend one leg away without the spine coming off the ground (the pelvis will want to go anterior and lift the lumbar spine). Reset and repeat with the other leg.

1. Push-up position single shoulder touches – start in push-up position, use one hand to touch opposite shoulder. Make sure spine stays flat in a neutral position. Repeat with the opposite hand.
2. Push up position since arm pull throughs – start in push up position with a weight just outside body frame (even with rib cage). Grab the weight with the opposite hand and pull under the body to the opposite side. Keep spine flat and neutral (can put a ball or PVC on back to ensure no movement). Repeat pulling back the opposite direction.
3. Standing sideways band resisted isometric holds – start with band anchored off to the side of the body. Take bands and hold them even with the chest, press away from chest, hold for 15 seconds. You can vary resistance of bands and add band interference as needed. Repeat opposite direction. Repeat from multiple postures.
4. Standing offset band resisted isometric holds – start with band anchored off to the side of the body. Disassociate the torso at least 30 degrees from the pelvis/hips. Hold bands even with the chest, press away from chest, hold for 15 seconds. You can vary resistance and add band interference as needed. Repeat opposite direction.
5. Standing eccentric/concentric band resisted turns – start with band anchored off to the side of the body. Hold band even with the chest, press away from chest, rotate away from anchor point (quickly), return back to center (slowly – 10 count). Repeat opposite direction. Repeat from multiple postures (ball heights).
6. Partner assisted counter move resistance – start from launch position. Have partner rotate shoulders in the counter turn direction, resist the turn (5 second holds). Repeat from multiple postures.
7. Partner assisted finish resistance – start at the follow through portion of the swing. Have partner rotate shoulders in the direction of the finish, resist the turn (5 second holds). Repeat from multiple finishing postures.
8. Counter turn medicine ball catches – start in counter turn position. Have a partner throw a medicine ball off the backside of the counter turn position. Catch the ball and stabilize without continuing into counter turn. The ball weight, speed, or distance away from the body can be adjusted as needed. Repeat in multiple postures.
9. Swing finish medicine ball catches – start at finish of swing. Have a partner throw a medicine ball off your finish side, catch and stabilize the ball without continuing further into finish. The ball weight, speed, and distance away from the body can be adjusted as needed. Repeat in multiple finishing postures.
10. Counter turn medicine ball catch and throw – start in stance, catch ball going into counter turn, and throw back in swing posture. Throw from multiple swing postures and throw in different direction of follow through (opposite field, center field, pull side). Hold finish in the direction of the throw for deceleration work.
11. Finish medicine ball catch and throw – start at finish of swing, catch ball going into the finish of the swing and reverse the throw back. Throw from multiple swing postures, trying to stabilize after the throw as well.
12. PVC check progression

1. J-band reverse fly’s – attach j-bands to both wrists. Start with anchor point facing the chest. Pull arms rearward by retracting the scapulas together. Maintain a neutral spine position. Hold at the retracted position for a 5 count and then return to the front (5 count coming forward as well – as the scapulas slowly move away from the spine and work off the rib cage.
2. J-band bent arm pulls – attach j-bands to both wrists. Start with anchor point facing chest. Arms start bent at 90 degrees. Pull the elbows rearward as you retract the scapulas towards the spine. Maintain a neutral spine position. Return back to 90 degree position. Repeat as you change anchor point height and adjust posture accordingly.
3. Single arm j-band arm pull – attach j-band to the back side wrist. Start with anchor point facing chest. Arm starts at 90 degrees. Pull elbow rearward while lead arm stays relaxed. Keep rib cage as stabile as possible. Return back to starting point. Repeat as you change anchor point and adjust posture accordingly.
4. Single arm j-band body turn – attach j-band to the back side wrist. Hold arm at 90 degrees. Rotate body in the normal swing direction. Make sure the wrist doesn’t move as the scapula is retracted by the turn of the torso. Return back to starting point. Repeat as you change anchor point and adjust posture accordingly.
5. Single arm, j-band back resisted turn – attach j-band to wrist. Anchor point will be off the side of the body (back shoulder). Start with arm at 90 degrees. Turn torso away from anchor while resisting wrist movement away from body (supination is fine). You may feel external shoulder rotation. Repeat as you change anchor point and adjust posture accordingly.
6. Bar resisted turns – attach bands to the end of a clipped bar. Anchor point will be off the side of the body (back shoulder). Start in hitting position with one hand on upper and lower part of bar. Resisted top clip of the bar. Turn torso in the swing direction. Resist wrist movement. You will also feel external shoulder rotation (think the bar is turning to perpendicular to spine. Repeat as you change anchor point and adjust posture accordingly.

Swing Prep

1. One leg kettlebell squat w/slide disc – start on back foot with kettle bell front racked. Front foot will have a slide disc under it. Squat with normal pattern with emphasis on feeling heel centric load, while allowing lead foot to slide out.
2. One leg kettlebell jump squat – start on back foot with kettle bell front racked. Squat with normal pattern and then jump off the ground. Stabilize with a soft landing as you go back into squatting position. Feel the heel impact and create pressure against the ground.
3. Back foot disc anchors – start with a disc under the ball of the foot of the rear shoe. Heel of the rear shoe should be anchored to the ground. Stride away from the back foot while keeping it anchored in the ground.
4. Both feet disc anchors – start with both balls of feet on the slide disc. The heel of both feet should be off the discs. Stride forward by sliding the lead slide disc forward (you should be on the ball of foot only. The rear shoe will stay anchored in the heel and the lead side will slide free. As you get to end of stride length begin to turn the pelvis/hips. The lead foot should now anchor the heel which will stop the slide forward. Back side will likely spin or kickback off of disc.
5. No feet neutral stance full swing – start in neutral launch position. No additional stride, slight counter turn and then swing. Feet stay anchored throughout the swing (back foot may slide rearward but stay flat on ground). Repeat to different postures (pitch heights) and directionality (opposite field, center, pull side).
6. Normal stance/stride no feet full swing – start in normal stance and take normal stride. Go right into swing without the feet coming off the ground (back foot may slide rearward, but stays on the ground). Repeat to different postures (pitch heights) and directionality (opposite field, center, pull side).
7. Banded resistance swings – banded resistance to the lead hip (belt). Normal swings with thought of resisting the band from pulling you forward in the turn. Band resistance can be altered as necessary. Repeat to different postures (pitch heights) and directionality (opposite field, center, pull side).

Pitching Mechanics

FB Data

Chase is a right hand pitcher that has fastball velocities of 67.6 to 68 mph.  His spin rate is 1695 to 1759 rpm’s which is low and his spin efficiency is also low at 59-61%.  This is due to him putting pressure through the outside of the baseball as opposed to the center of the baseball.  As he centers the baseball his velocity and spin will increase.  His release height is 5” and his release side is 1.3 to 1.4 feet.  

BB Data

Chase’s curveball velocities were between 54.6 and 58.3 mph.  His spin rate is 1774 to 1947 rpm’s with a spin efficiency of 75-87%.  The vertical break was good at -15.6 to -16.6 inches and also had a horizontal break of -9.5 to -13.3 inches.  The pitch has gyro spin to it which is the reason for the lower spin efficiency.     

CH Data

Chase’s change up velocity is between 58.5 and 60.8 mph.  His spin rate is 1361 with true spin of 1361.  His release height is the same as his fastball at 5”.  The pitch has 14.3 inches of horizontal movement and 13.6 inches of vertical movement.