Baseball Performance Analysis

Player Information:

Name: Ty Vanvolkenberg

Throws: R

Bats: L

Age: 17

Height: 6’4

Weight: 235lbs

Years Playing: 12

Level of Play (History): High School

Pitching Evaluation:

Pitching Mechanics

Head Posture

  • Levelness: The head begins in a stable position but exhibits significant lateral tilt towards the first base side during the acceleration and release phase. This "head whack" is a prominent feature of the delivery. This is an area for improvement.

  • Direction: The eyes remain on the target through the stride phase, but the head pulls aggressively off the target towards the glove side at release. This motion is synchronized with an aggressive glove-side pull, indicating the head is being used to help generate rotational velocity, which can negatively impact command. This is an area for improvement.

Leg Lift & Stride

  • Leg Lift Height: The front leg is lifted to a controlled, athletic position, approximately hip/belt height. Balance is well-maintained at the apex of the lift. This is a strength.

  • Stride Phase Distance: The stride length is appropriate for the pitcher's large frame (approx. 85-90% of height), allowing for significant momentum generation towards the plate. This is a strength.

  • Stride Direction: The lead foot lands slightly "in the bucket," or open towards the third-base side of a direct line to home plate. This can lead to the hips opening slightly prematurely and contributes to the torso pulling off-line towards the first base side. This is a minor area for improvement.

Balance & Foundation

Balance at Front Foot Strike: The front foot lands before significant upper body rotation begins, which is correct sequencing. However, the landing is not completely stable. Due to the lateral pull of the upper body, the pitcher's momentum carries him towards the first base side immediately upon landing, compromising a stable foundation.

Separation & Torque

  • Lead and Separation: This is a clear strength. At front foot strike, the pitcher achieves excellent separation between his hips, which have begun to open, and his shoulders, which remain closed. This creates significant rotational torque and is a primary source of his velocity.

  • Lead Hand Direction: The glove side is very aggressive. It does not stay controlled but instead pulls down and hard to the left, which initiates a violent and rapid shoulder rotation. While this generates speed, it is the primary driver of the torso tilt and head pull, causing the pitcher to lose posture and direction. This is a key area for improvement.

Power Generation & Transfer:

Hip Drive

The pitcher utilizes his lower half effectively. The back hip and knee drive down and forward aggressively, initiating a powerful rotation from the ground up. This is a strength.

Trunk (Upper Body)

While the trunk correctly stays closed as the lower half initiates movement, it does not maintain its direction forward. The aggressive glove-side pull causes the trunk to have a significant lateral tilt and pulls it toward the first base side instead of rotating purely through the target. This results in a loss of linear energy.

Posture Through Delivery

The pitcher starts tall but loses posture significantly through the delivery. There is notable forward spinal flexion (hunching) and severe lateral tilt. This compromised posture limits the efficient transfer of energy and can place stress on the arm and shoulder. This is a primary area for improvement.

Landing & Release:

Posture at Landing

As noted, the posture at landing is poor. The pitcher is hunched in the upper back with a pronounced tilt towards his arm side.

Front Leg

Lockout or Bent: This is a critical area for improvement. At ball release, the front knee is significantly bent and continues to flex forward as the upper body passes over it. This "soft" front leg absorbs a great deal of the energy generated by the lower half instead of bracing and transferring it up the kinetic chain. This is a major power leak.

Arm Position at Front Foot Landing

The throwing arm is in a good position at foot strike. It is up, with the elbow near shoulder height and the arm in a position to efficiently begin acceleration without dragging.

Head Position (Landing & Release)

The head lunges both forward and laterally during release, moving well past the front foot. A stable head position is not maintained.

Follow Through:

Arm Follow Thru

The arm follows a full and natural deceleration path across the body.

Finishing Position

The follow-through leaves the pitcher off-balance and falling hard towards the first base line, compromising his ability to field the position effectively. This is a result of the lateral energy leak throughout the delivery.

Summary & Ratings:

Primary Strengths

  • Hip/Shoulder Separation: The ability to create significant torque between the lower and upper half is elite and is the primary generator of current velocity.

  • Lower Half Drive: The pitcher shows a strong understanding of how to use his powerful back leg and hip to initiate the throwing sequence.

Primary Areas for Improvement

  • Front Leg Stabilization: The soft, flexing front knee at release is the most significant mechanical flaw. It negates a large portion of the power generated by the lower half and places additional stress on the throwing arm to create velocity.

  • Posture and Direction (Head/Glove Side Control): The aggressive head whack and glove-side pull cause a severe loss of posture (forward and lateral tilt) and pull the pitcher's energy offline. This negatively impacts consistency, command, and efficient energy transfer.

  • Finishing Balance: Stemming from the issues above, the off-balance finish towards the first base side is a symptom of the energy leaks in the delivery.

Ratings

  • Overall Mechanics Rating: 45 - Division 1 mechanics. Justification: The pitcher possesses elite-level components (hip drive, separation) that are foundational for D1 talent, but these are counteracted by significant energy leaks, primarily the soft front leg and poor posture, which limit his ceiling and must be addressed.

  • Estimated Level of Play: 55 - Collegiate Power 5. Justification: The combination of a projectable 6'4" frame, clear evidence of power generation from the lower half, and high-level hip/shoulder separation makes him a high-value prospect for Power 5 programs who can coach and refine the existing mechanical inefficiencies.

Corrective Drills:

Front Leg Firm-Up Drill (or Step-Back Drill)

  • Purpose: To teach the feeling of a firm, bracing front leg.

  • Execution: The pitcher starts with his feet together about 12 inches behind the rubber. He takes a step back with his pivot foot onto the rubber and immediately goes into his delivery. The backwards momentum forces him to land and brace hard on his front leg to stop his motion, creating the proper feel of force transfer rather than absorption.

Connection Ball / Towel Drill

  • Purpose: To improve control of the glove side and promote better torso rotation and posture.

  • Execution: Place a small (4-6 inch) inflatable ball or a rolled towel between the biceps/forearms. Perform throws at 50-70% intensity. To keep the object in place, the pitcher cannot allow his glove side to fly open prematurely. This forces the torso to rotate as a single unit and reduces the violent lateral pull.

Mirror Drill (Head Stability Focus)

  • Purpose: To provide direct visual feedback on head movement and posture.

  • Execution: Perform dry-rep (no ball) mechanics or towel drills while facing a large mirror. The pitcher's focus should be solely on keeping his head stable and his eyes level on his reflection (the "target") as long as possible through the delivery. This helps him feel and see the excessive head whack and work to minimize it.

The "Line" Drill

  • Purpose: To enforce linear direction and discourage lateral movement.

  • Execution: Place a 2x4 board or draw a chalk line on the ground extending directly from the back of the rubber towards home plate. The pitcher must perform his entire delivery while keeping his stride foot, pivot foot, and follow-through along this line. Falling off to the first base side provides immediate feedback that he is leaking energy laterally.

Graded Pitching Mechanics Evaluation:

  • Player: Ty Vanvolkenberg

  • Age: 17 | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 235 lbs | Throws: R

Grading Scale

  • 5 - Elite: An exceptional component, a primary source of strength. MLB-level execution.

  • 4 - Good: A well-executed component, a clear strength. Above-average execution.

  • 3 - Average: Component is functional but lacks efficiency. Requires minor refinement.

  • 2 - Below Average: A clear inefficiency that detracts from performance. Area for Improvement.

  • 1 - Poor: A significant mechanical flaw that leaks energy, limits velocity/command, or increases injury risk. Primary Area for Improvement.

Player Scorecard: Ty Vanvolkenberg

Rating Scale: 1 (Poor) to 5 (Elite)

Mechanical Component

Head Posture & Direction

Leg Shift and Stride

Balance & Foundation

Separation & Torque

Power Gen & Transfer

Power Gen & Transfer

Follow Through

Grade

2/5

4/5

5/5

3/5

2/5

5/5

1/5

5/5

1/5

2/5

1/5

4/5

2/5

Impact on Delivery

Negatively impacts command, balance, and the ability to maintain a consistent release point.

Creates a stable and repeatable starting point for the delivery.

Maximizes linear momentum generation towards the plate.

Contributes to hips opening slightly early and encourages the lateral pull of the upper body.

An unstable base prevents efficient energy transfer from the ground up and leads to a poor finish.

This is the primary driver of rotational power and current velocity. A key strength.

Primary cause for the loss of posture, lateral trunk tilt, and pulling the head offline.

Excellent power generation from the lower half. A foundational strength.

Limits efficient energy transfer, affects command, and increases stress on the arm/shoulder.

A significant portion of generated energy is wasted moving side-to-side instead of towards home plate.

Major power leak. Fails to brace and transfer rotational energy up the kinetic chain.

Allows for an efficient and rapid arm acceleration without dragging.

Poor fielding position. A clear symptom of the lateral energy leaks throughout the delivery.

Sub-Component

Levelness & Direction

Leg Lift Height

Stride Distance

Stride Direction

Balance at Foot Strike

Hip/Shoulder Separation

Hip/Shoulder Separation

Hip Drive

Trunk Posture/Tilt

Trunk Direction

Front Leg Brace

Arm Position at FFL

Finishing Position

Observation/Analysis

Exhibits significant lateral tilt ("head whack") at release. Head pulls aggressively off-target towards the glove side.

Controlled lift to hip/belt height. Balance is well-maintained at the apex of the lift.

Long, powerful stride well-suited for his large frame (approx. 85-90% of height).

Lands slightly "in the bucket" (open towards the 3B side).

Correct sequence (foot lands before rotation), but the landing is unstable. Lateral upper body pull compromises the foundation.

Elite separation. Hips begin to open while shoulders remain closed, creating maximum torque.

Overly aggressive glove-side pull. It yanks down and away, initiating a violent, uncontrolled rotation.

Powerful and aggressive drive from the back hip and leg, initiating the kinetic chain correctly.

Starts tall but loses posture significantly. Severe forward flexion (hunch) and lateral tilt at release.

Trunk is pulled laterally towards the 1B line instead of rotating purely forward through the target.

Critical flaw. The front knee is significantly bent at release and continues to flex, absorbing energy.

The throwing arm is in a good, powerful position ("high cock") when the front foot lands.

Finishes completely off-balance, falling hard towards the first base line.

Summary & Overall Grade

Average Component Grade: 2.9 / 5.0

Primary Strengths (Components rated 5/5):

  • Hip/Shoulder Separation: Elite ability to create torque.

  • Hip Drive: Excellent at generating power from his lower half.

  • Stride Distance: Maximizes momentum down the mound.

Primary Areas for Improvement (Components rated 1/5):

  • Front Leg Brace: The soft front knee is the single biggest impediment to higher velocity and efficiency.

  • Trunk Posture/Tilt: Severe loss of posture wastes energy and increases injury risk.

  • Lead Hand (Glove) Control: The aggressive pull is the root cause of the poor posture and offline direction.

Overall Mechanics Rating: 45 - Division 1 mechanics.

Justification: The grade reflects a pitcher with elite-level power generation tools (5/5 grades in separation and hip drive) that are characteristic of D1 talent. However, these are severely compromised by poor energy transfer and stability components (1/5 grades in front leg brace, posture, and glove control), preventing the mechanics from reaching a higher level.

Estimated Level of Play: 55 - Collegiate Power 5.

Justification: His projectable frame and elite raw power potential make him a high-value prospect. Power 5 programs actively recruit athletes with these foundational strengths, confident they can coach and refine the significant mechanical flaws.