TAA 13 - You Down With IVB? Yeah You Know Me! (with Alex Chamberlain)
The podcast dives deep into the physics and analytics behind pitch movement, challenging the myth that 'more is better' when it comes to induced vertical break (IVB). Host Nate Schwartz and guest Alex Chamberlain, a two-time FSWA award winner and Fangraphs researcher, reveal that IVB is only meaningful when contextualized by a pitcher's arm angle, velocity, and release point—making a 14-inch IVB from a sidearm pitcher vastly different from one thrown over the top. The episode dismantles the 'dead zone' myth, showing that pitchers don't need to match league averages; instead, they thrive by being outliers. The real key, they argue, is 'approach angle'—the angle at which a pitch approaches the plate—because it captures how hitters perceive and react to movement. A high vertical approach angle (VAA) correlates strongly with whiffs, especially when it defies expectations. Even small deviations in VAA can make a fastball look like it's rising, fooling hitters. The discussion also reveals that horizontal approach angle matters most at the edges of the zone, where deception is maximized. Ultimately, the episode argues that the best pitchers aren't the ones with the most movement, but the ones who manipulate perception through context, timing, and unpredictability—making the data not just about numbers, but about psychological warfare on the mound.
IVB is meaningless without context—arm angle, velocity, and release point determine whether 14 inches of break is elite or average.
The 'dead zone' myth (equal IVB and horizontal break) is false—pitchers should aim to be outliers, not average.
Vertical approach angle (VAA) is a powerful predictor of whiffs; higher VAA means the pitch appears to rise, fooling hitters.
Even small changes in VAA (e.g., 0.5 degrees) can make a fastball appear dramatically different, especially at the top of the zone.
Horizontal approach angle is most effective at the edges of the zone, where it can deceive hitters into swinging at pitches that break in or out.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to the Pitch Movement Deep Dive
Nate Schwartz and Kyle Bland introduce the episode's focus on pitch movement, marking the first time they've explored pitching analytics after covering hitters. They welcome guest Alex Chamberlain, a leading analyst at Fangraphs and creator of the popular pitch leaderboard.
What Is Induced Vertical Break (IVB)?
The hosts explain IVB as the break a pitch experiences due to spin, independent of gravity. They clarify that 'induced' means gravity is removed from the equation, allowing analysts to isolate spin-driven movement.
Why IVB Is Not the Whole Story
The discussion reveals that IVB is only meaningful when compared to a pitcher’s arm angle and velocity. A sidearm pitcher cannot generate 20 inches of IVB, and high-velocity pitchers may have lower IVB due to shorter time to plate.
The Physics of Pitch Movement: Magnus Effect & Seam Shifted Wake
Kyle explains that pitch movement is driven by the Magnus effect (spin-induced pressure differences) and seam shifted wake (how seam orientation alters airflow), with both working together to create unexpected movement.
The Myth of Consistency: Natural Variance in Movement
The hosts emphasize that pitchers naturally experience movement variance from start to start due to weather, fatigue, and release mechanics. This variance is not necessarily a flaw—it can be a sign of elite pitchability.
“You don't need to have the premium velocity if you're going to have the unusual traits. The premium velocity is really good and the stuff models are going to tell you that. And maybe that's something that you guys are going to get to in a later episode or this episode or someday.”
“The point of a pitch is to be misunderstood. It is not to match anything specifically. It is not to play up to a certain number or what was expected. It is to be misunderstood.”
“If the goal is to maximize or to optimize your IVB for your arm angle, it's inherently to get farther away from whatever kind of like the the average IVB is for that arm angle.”
Hosts
Guest
Alex Chamberlain
person
Nate Schwartz
person
Kyle Bland
person
StatCast
organization
Fangraphs
organization
Baseball Savant
organization
Joe Ryan
person
Paul Seawald
person
Randy Johnson
person
Cam Schlittler
person
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