Spring Training 2025 Recap: Rapsodo’s Role in This Year’s Biggest Stories
As another MLB season gets underway, Spring Training once again set the stage for the biggest storylines heading into Opening Day.
From Shohei Ohtani’s highly anticipated bullpen sessions to the ongoing discussion around pitcher health, Rapsodo was right in the middle of it.
Here’s a look at how our technology shaped the conversation this spring.
Ohtani’s Return to the Mound at Dodgers Camp
For the first time since joining to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani started throwing off a mound following elbow surgery in 2023. His first bullpen session of the spring wasn’t just a major moment for baseball—it was powered by Rapsodo.
As noted in ESPN’s coverage, Ohtani used Rapsodo to track his return to pitching, analyzing key metrics to fine-tune his recovery, providing the insights needed to guide his comeback.
Ohtani was also seen using Rapsodo PRO 2.0 Ball Flight Monitor at Dodgers camp before heading to Japan for the MLB Tokyo Series.
The video shows Ohtani working through his hitting routine, capturing the same swing data that players and coaches rely on to maximize performance.
Even though Spring Training ends on March 25th, Ohtani and the Dodgers technically kicked off the 2025 MLB Season with their MLB Tokyo Series matchup against the Chicago Cubs last week.
If you missed any of the action, we got you covered with this recap of the week in Tokyo.
Justin Lawrence Unlocking His Arsenal
Velocity and movement are game-changers in today’s MLB, and Colorado Rockies reliever Justin Lawrence spent the offseason refining both with Rapsodo. Working alongside Rapsodo partner CN Pitching, Lawrence utilized advanced analytics to optimize his pitch profile, as detailed in MLB.com’s feature. By dialing in movement patterns and command, Lawrence is looking to take another step forward in 2025.
Nashville: The Offseason Hotspot
More and more MLB players are spending their offseason in Nashville, training with cutting-edge technology—including Rapsodo—to stay ahead of the game. As MLB.com reported, big leaguers are taking advantage of the growing player development scene in Music City, using data to refine their mechanics, build velocity, and sharpen their command before heading to Spring Training.
Cory Lewis and the Fastest Knuckleball
One of the most fascinating moments of Spring Training came from Minnesota Twins prospect Cory Lewis, who threw what is believed to be the fastest knuckleball ever. As players continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, Rapsodo’s precision tracking helps capture every unique movement, including pitches that defy traditional spin metrics.
Check out the cloud video of Lewis’s historic pitch and see the knuckleball in action.
The Pitching Health Debate
One of the biggest ongoing conversations in baseball is pitcher injuries. With arm health at the forefront, some are asking: Are we using technology correctly?
In Dr. Chris Ahmad’s deep dive, the discussion shifts from pitch counts to workload management and biomechanics—areas where Rapsodo provides crucial data. As teams look for better ways to keep pitchers healthy, our tracking technology continues to be a key resource in the conversation.
An even bigger spotlight was put on the conversation of arm health after the news that Yankees ace Gerrit Cole's season was over before it started due to Tommy John surgery.
In an article from The Athletic, the Yankees pitching staff and pitchers provided interesting insights on the role of technology.
While many athletes may find extra motivation in chasing max numbers, there is another value that technology can add.
MLB Players Using Rapsodo in the Offseason
In addition to the stories above about MLB pros using Rapsodo to train during the offseason, a few professional athletes added their own PRO 2.0 unit to get ready for the season.
- Alex Vesia, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Tai Peete, Seattle Mariners
- Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies
- Ji Hwan Bae, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Joshua Palacios, Pittsburgh Pirates
Rapsodo: Powering the Future of Baseball
From Spring Training to the World Series, Rapsodo technology helps players and coaches at every level make data-driven decisions.
As the 2025 season begins, we’re excited to continue pushing the game forward—one pitch, one swing, and one breakthrough at a time.
Want to train like the pros? Learn more about Rapsodo’s technology and how it can elevate your game at our website or email our team at sales@rapsodo.com.
