Scouting/Mechanics Terminology - Glossary

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Arm Action - Pitching

Hand Break | Example: Michael Main

--Hand break is defined as the point in which the pitcher brings their throwing hand out of the glove. Generally, a later hand break is preferred over an early hand break.

Elbow Picks Up the Ball | Examples: Roy Oswalt and Jeff Manship

--As a pitcher raises his arm in the middle of his wind-up, you should be able to draw a line from the elbow to the wrist/ball. If you cannot, then the pitcher is letting the ball/wrist pick up the elbow and this is significant because it heightens the risk of injury for the pitcher.

Other Terminology for Pitching Mechanics

Balance Point | Examples: Tim Lincecum (drifting) and Brett Sinkbeil (tall-and-fall)

--The place in mid wind-up where the pitcher's knee reaches its uppermost before dropping; A place where the pitcher establishes "balance" before heading toward home plate.

>Drifting Through the Balance Point

--When there is no stoppage in the wind-up and the balance point is "drifted through". As the pitcher lifts his knee during his wind-up, you see him start to drift toward home plate before ever reaching his balance point. Momentum carries the pitcher toward home plate as he leads with his hips. Usually associated with a faster tempo.

>Tall-and-Fall

--When a pitcher hits their balance point, they basically stop mid-way through their wind-up to establish balance and then start again as they head toward home plate. Usually associated with a slower tempo.

Hip/Torso/Shoulder Separation | Example: Tim Lincecum

--The hip/torso/shoulder separation is a major factor in producing velocity. If a pitcher has sufficient separation between their hips and torso as they step into foot plant, the separation acts as a sort of spring for the torso as the hips uncoil the upper body forward, bringing the arm along with it. Efficiency is extremely important as you want the arm in a ready to throw position at the peak of the hip and torso separation.

Tempo | Example: Ian Kennedy

--Tempo is defined as "the speed in which a pitcher can go from the point to where their knee reaches its upper most point (or when it starts to move downward) to the time of release". Tempo has an effect on the velocity a pitcher throws with. Tempo is measured in frames and is one of the first things to look for when scouting the mechanics of a pitcher.

Hitting Mechanics

Bat Speed | Example: Matt Kemp

--The more bat speed the better. Bat speed is a major factor in producing power and a key indicator of bat speed is how far the hitter lets the ball travel before committing to swing.

Foot Plant and Toe Touch

--The toe touch is the point in which the hitter's toe first makes contact with the ground and the foot plant is the point in which the hitter's heel first makes contact with the ground.

Hip Rotation | Example: Prince Fielder

--The rotation of a hitter's hips occurs just after foot plant and is part of the sequence of events that produce a power-packed swing

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