The Challenge
Milan High School baseball program in Tennessee sought to enhance player development and performance analysis using data-driven insights.
The coaching staff, led by head coach at the time and now athletic director Greg Scott, needed a tool to reinforce their existing methods and refine their approach to pitching and hitting.
While the coaching staff excelled in traditional coaching and training, they also understood the importance of staying ahead of the curve with player development technology, looking for a way to:
- Validate coaching decisions with objective data.
- Optimize offseason bullpens and hitting sessions for measurable progress.
- Ensure pitch consistency with insights on release points, spin efficiency, and movement.
- Manage player workload and arm health to prevent injuries.
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Support player recruitment by providing scouts with reliable metrics.
The Solution
In the fall of 2022, Milan High School implemented Rapsodo's industry-leading baseball technology. The system was primarily used for offseason and preseason bullpen sessions, providing detailed metrics on pitching performance.
Recently, the program expanded to add hitting data after upgrading to the new Rapsodo PRO 2.0 Ball Flight Monitor.
With this technology, they could now:
- Track every bullpen session, analyzing release point, spin rates, and pitch tunneling.
- Utilize slow-motion instant video replay to break down mechanical inefficiencies.
- Fine-tune pitch selection and execution based on real-time data.
- Implement structured hitting drills, progressing from tee work to live hitting with exit velocity and launch angle feedback.
- Make pregame pitching adjustments based on bullpen data to maximize performance on the mound.
- Identify improper pitching mechanics to prevent injury before they happen.
The Impact
- Enhanced Player Development
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- Coaches provided data-backed feedback, reinforcing coaching points with objective metrics.
- Players gained a deeper understanding of key performance aspects like pitch tunneling, release point consistency, and mechanical efficiency.
- Increased player confidence by validating coaching decisions with measurable data.
"If I can have one more piece of evidence that shows the tweak I’m asking for, I’ll use it. Let me show you the data that backs it up."
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Injury Prevention & Workload Management
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- Over a three-year span, the team experienced zero arm injuries, attributed to Rapsodo’s workload tracking and pitch monitoring.
- Identified mechanical inefficiencies that could lead to injuries, allowing for proactive corrections.
“If we see a drop in velocity from a player’s baseline, that’s a red flag. Rapsodo helps us pump the brakes before something turns into an injury.”
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Game-Day Strategy & Performance Optimization
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- Guided pregame adjustments and pitch selection strategies backed by Rapsodo data, even during critical moments like the state championship.
- Side-by-side bullpen and swing comparisons helped fine-tune mechanics before competition.
“The first year we had Rapsodo, we were state runner-up. And pregame at the state championship game, my coach was looking at Rapsodo numbers in the bullpen.”
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Recruitment & Exposure
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- Provided college recruiters with detailed player performance metrics, aiding scouting efforts.
- Younger college coaches and JUCO recruiters requested Rapsodo bullpen data for evaluation.
“I had a college coach ask if I had data on a kid. That was one of the driving forces behind us getting Rapsodo.”
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Real-World Success Stories
- Example 1: Fixing a Pitching Flaw to Prevent Injury: A pitcher experiencing elbow pain was found to be over-pronating on his fastball. After mechanical adjustments, the pain disappeared.
- Example 2: Developing a New Out Pitch: A relief pitcher struggling with his changeup used Rapsodo data to refine his grip, developing a split-finger pitch that secured him a starting role.
- Example 3: Winning with Data at the State Championship: In 2023, real-time bullpen tracking informed pregame adjustments, helping the pitcher execute with confidence in the title game.
“After using Rapsodo, our players don’t just guess at what’s working. They see it. They understand it. And they trust it.”
Key Features
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Comprehensive Metrics: Velocity, spin rate, spin direction, and release point data for each pitch.
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Instant Slow Motion Video Replay: Slow-motion video capture for detailed mechanical review.
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Baseline Establishment: Initial data collection in August to set performance benchmarks.
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Multi-Sport Integration: Flexible use to accommodate athletes participating in multiple sports throughout the school year, like softball and golf.
Methodology
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Offseason Focus: Primary use during fall and winter for skill development.
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Low-Intent Sessions: Emphasis on mechanics and pitch development before increasing intensity.
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Regular Evaluation: Post-bullpen analysis sessions with players to review data and video.
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In-Season Application: Pre-game assessments to inform pitch selection and strategy.
The Results
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State runner-up finish in the 2023 season and back-to-back state tournament appearances (‘23, ‘24).
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Improved player confidence through data-backed performance insights.
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Enhanced communication between coaches and players regarding specific pitch improvements.
Becoming a Championship-Caliber Program
Since implementing Rapsodo, Milan High School elevated its performance, placing 1st in the regular season for their district in back-to-back years, tying for 1st the two season prior to that, and emerged as one of the state’s top teams.
Before adding Rapsodo to their program, Milan pitchers saw a team ERA of 3.40 with 103 walks and 278 strikeouts over 224 IP. They would start to see improvements once adding the player development technology.
2022-2023 (First Season with Rapsodo): A historic season as Milan posted an incredible 33-10 record (.767), their best winning percentage ever. They won the district (6-2) with an elite bullpen. Pitchers recorded a 2.82 ERA, improving their ERA by 0.58 from the previous season without Rapsodo.
2023-2024: Milan maintained championship form, going 27-10 (.730) and securing another district title (6-2 record) while continuing to lower their ERA to 2.67.
Ready for the State Championship?
Rapsodo offers $1,000 off for high school programs. If you're ready to add our industry-leading player development technology, visit our website or contact our team by emailing sales@rapsodo.com.
