@tread_athletics: 17-Year-Old's 88 MPH Carry Fastball Breakdown 🔥 Easton Elam (Uncommitted 2027 RHP) has had a strong start to his high school season, throwing over 17 innings while allowing zero runs, just five hits, and five walks, and striking out 24 hitters. Dating back to last year, he allowed just six earned runs and 20 total hits over 55 innings. Elam has done this while sitting 85-88 mph, but with some very unique traits to his fastball and the rest of his arsenal. Back in February, Elam came in-house to Tread for the first time for in-person training, and we were able to quickly identify his elite fastball shape. His fastball averaged 86.2 mph during his high-intent bullpen, but generated around 20 inches of induced vertical break. With elite induced vertical break on his fastball, his arm slot is also roughly six to eight inches lower than your average MLB right-handed pitcher, which is about 68 inches. When you combine these metrics with his intent to throw his fastball up in the zone, his vertical approach angle (VAA) was around negative four, about one degree flatter than your average MLB right-handed pitcher. Elam’s elite fastball shape is a major contributor to his success, as he is able to miss bats while commanding the top of the strike zone. There are several factors in Elam’s delivery that help him generate such a unique fastball shape. The most important factor is his forward trunk tilt. As Elam moves into ball release, he averaged around 46 degrees of forward trunk tilt, which not only allows him to generate more extension, but also has a strong correlation with increasing max external rotation of the throwing arm. In Elam’s bullpen, he averaged 206 degrees of external rotation, one of the highest numbers we have recorded in our motion capture lab. Combining these factors allows Elam to position his arm and wrist more vertically, creating more backspin and spin efficiency, and ultimately generating an elite fastball shape.

caydenasbury03 :

Rise ball isn’t physically possible

𝐀𝟒 𝐄𝐥𝐢 :

that just looks like a normal fastball?

Shane Palmer :

It’s impossible for a rise ball humans don’t have enough spin rate for that type of pitch maybe a 4 seem fastball b the closest thing

nope :

Most people just call this a 4 seam fastball

davethefreshest :

thomasalbani616 :

Wow, his mechanics look great. However, i would work on getting more forward momentum and at front foot plant, keep the chin back. His trunk is leaning forward a bit too much and his chin is out in-front. The trunk needs more distance to move. He’s. More distance means more velo. Fix that, you will be easy mid 90’s. Recap.. more early momentum at leg lift… keep chin behind belt buckle at front foot plant. Every college in the country will be calling you.

Mindy Simons573 :

My nephew at 15 is throwing 80

Ant 🐜 :

Looks like a balk though no

user4581781265183 :

88 for a high school kid, junior or senior is average velo! And they FB was flat! Come on guys, do better!

Jema :

450…

Bobo Pup :

Shai🕶️ :

Twitch PhMayoo :

For his physique, and speed it looks like he should be throwing 95, his mechanics are good but his upper body is going over his lower body. He needs to have the lower body go first better and then the upper body following through creating better torque

MichaelFrugoli :

Wasn’t that a bulk?

🇺🇸Brycen🇬🇧 :

kaptain358 :

Nice speed and great form

KLETCH :

Great form. Consistency of your planting foot to the same place makes accuracy

Skate_ Jesus12 :

Allen :

Been the left knee a little more gain 5 mph

Corey Steward Jr :

Not alot of rise.

DC Cars :

Yeah so this is called a 4-seam fastball…

WORLDBOSSCEO :

Nice pitch! My nephew Is 16 & is throwing 87 mph.

user8230730818343 :

Good mechanics

dscott1321 :

Looks good to me

Skate_ Jesus12 :