Player LabPowered by Skill Ladder AI
Fictional · coach-reviewed
Sam Ortiz
Session theme: Hips first, then the arm
High School (15+). Draft age band. Needs Jeff before any age-specific number is used. The scale stays 20–80. This player is compared only with their own past. Meter lines stay where they are today.
Arm Health Check First, every time · not a score
- Pitches today Not logged on this clip
- Limit Coach sets the count
- Rest days Not logged
- Pitches this week Not logged
- Throwing days Not logged
- Pain or soreness None reported
- Status Cleared
No soreness reported on this clip. Mechanics work never overrides arm health. Any arm pain means stop throwing and see the athletic trainer.
Scouting scale 20–80. 50 = average for your level of play.
Session score
Session score 52: this is the average of the concepts on this report. Hip-Shoulder Separation is the next step.
Session theme: Hips first, then the arm
Up 4
Session score was 48 on Sept 4.
- Under 45
- 45 to 54
- 55 and up
Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Open drills in the app for the video.
If a coach says it
Tap a word. The coach's wording stays on the coach screen.
barrel
The fat end of the bat. That is the part that should meet the ball.
stay connected
Your hands and your hips start the swing together. The hands do not run off on their own.
hip-shoulder separation
The hips start to turn while the shoulders stay closed for a moment. Then the chest follows.
casting
The hands push the bat away from the body too early, before the body has started the swing.
attack angle
How much the bat is tilted up or down when it meets the ball.
oppo
The field on the same side the hitter stands. For a right-handed hitter, that is left field.
rollover
The bat rolls over the top of the ball, so the ball is pounded into the ground.
posted finish
After the swing or the throw, the front leg stays firm instead of collapsing.
scap load
The back shoulder blade pinches together before the swing starts.
layback
The throwing arm tips back, with the palm facing away, before the ball comes forward.
drop and drive
The back knee bends, then the back leg pushes the body toward home.
kinetic chain
The legs and hips start the move. The chest follows. The bat or the arm is last.
front toss
A partner stands a few steps in front and flips the ball underhand.
machine
A pitching machine throws the ball. A coach sets the speed. It is not a person pitching yet.
live
A person throws the ball, closer to a game. This comes after the tee and the easy flips.
3x10
Three sets of ten. Rest a little between sets.
tee
A stand that holds the ball still. No one throws.
high-cock slot
The throwing hand is up by the shoulder when the front foot lands.
glove side
The side of the body the glove is on.
line drive
The ball leaves flat, not popped up and not chopped into the ground.
bullpen
Pitchers throw in practice, usually with no batter, or with a coach hitting. It is not a game yet.
dry work
Swings or moves with no ball. You are practicing the body, not the result.
off-speed
A pitch that is slower than the fastball, such as a changeup or a curve.
pull side
The side the hitter's body turns toward. For a right-handed hitter, that is left field.
Balance & Posture
No earlier numberBalance & Posture 60: At the top of the lift you stay tall, and your head stays still. Hold this.
Above avg for level
Craftsman · Mixed pitches, not your hardestYou stay tall and balanced over the rubber before you move toward home.
You already. At the top of the lift you stay tall, and your head stays still.
Leaking. Do not skip the pause to throw harder.
Proof. The head does not drift on this pen.
Measured. Posture tilt 6.7°. The system scored Balance & Posture from this.
If you clean this up. This is already in the high band. Holding it is the work. Projection, not a score change.
Bullpens (Sets of 15, 3 FB / 2 OFFSpeed) is the drill that moves this.
Sample
Flaw fix
Do not skip the pause to throw harder.
Root cause. Leg lift and stack. Tall, balanced, and in control over the rubber before you go.
Coaching cues
Drill prescription
Bullpens (Sets of 15, 3 FB / 2 OFFSpeed)
In everyday words. "30 - 45 Pitches"; "(3 FB / 2 OFFSpeed ---- Sets of 15 Pitches ----)"; Wind Up / Stretch rounds.
Rung. Bullpen
Reps. One round. Stop on a miss.
Equipment. A baseball. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
"30 - 45 Pitches"; "(3 FB / 2 OFFSpeed ---- Sets of 15 Pitches ----)"; Wind Up / Stretch rounds.
Direction & Stride
No earlier numberDirection & Stride 53: The front foot lands closed on the target line. The next reps would push this toward 55.
Above avg for level
Craftsman · Mixed pitches, not your hardestYour front foot lands on a straight line toward home, not off to the side.
You already. The front foot lands closed on the target line.
Leaking. Stride length is not the first leak.
Proof. The landing stays closed on the easy fastball.
The stride stays on the line to the plate, and the front foot lands closed.
Measured. Stride direction 13.5° off line. The system scored Direction & Stride from this.
If you clean this up. Projection 55, 55 and up. Not a score change.
Bullpen Touch Ups is the drill that moves this.
Sample
Flaw fix
Stride length is not the first leak.
Root cause. Line to the plate, stride length, and a stable, closed landing on the target line.
Coaching cues
Drill prescription
Bullpen Touch Ups
In everyday words. Short bullpen tune-ups.
Rung. Bullpen
Reps. One round. Stop on a miss.
Equipment. A baseball. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Short bullpen tune-ups.
Hip-Shoulder Separation
No earlier numberHip-Shoulder Separation 43: The hips and the shoulders open together, so the torso never fires. Hop & Throw would push this toward 45.
Below avg for level
Journeyman · Short catchYour hips start to turn while your shoulders stay closed. Then the chest follows.
You already. You are balanced enough to let the hips go first.
Leaking. The hips and the shoulders open together, so the torso never fires.
Proof. The fastball misses to the glove side.
Measured. Hip-shoulder gap 15.3°. The system scored Hips turning before the shoulders from this.
If you clean this up. Projection 45, 45 to 54. Not a score change.
Hop & Throw is the drill that moves this.
Sample
Flaw fix
The hips and the shoulders open together, so the torso never fires.
Root cause. You are balanced enough to let the hips go first. When the shoulders go with the hips, the arm has to catch up and the first pitch misses. This week is catch play, not the mound, and not more velocity. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Coaching cues
- Hips first, shoulders stay.
Drill prescription
Hop & Throw
Rung. Catch-play
Reps. 8 of 10 reps.
Pass. Six catch-play throws in a row where a partner sees the hips start while the shoulders stay closed. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Equipment. A baseball. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Sample. The hips and the shoulders open together, so the torso never fires. Hips first, shoulders stay. Six catch-play throws in a row where a partner sees the hips start while the shoulders stay closed. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Shuffle Change
Rung. Catch-play
Reps. 8 of 10 reps.
Equipment. A baseball. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Sample. The hips and the shoulders open together, so the torso never fires. Hips first, shoulders stay.
Arm Path & Timing
No earlier numberArm Path & Timing 47: When the front foot lands, the throwing hand is still by the back hip. Arm Slot would push this toward 55.
Average for level
Journeyman · Short catchYour throwing hand is up by the shoulder when your front foot lands, not still down by your hip.
You already. The arm path is loose when the effort stays easy.
Leaking. When the front foot lands, the throwing hand is still by the back hip.
Proof. The hand is not up in the slot where the throwing hand is up by the shoulder at…
Measured. Arm timing 66 ms late. The system scored Arm Path & Timing from this.
If you clean this up. Projection 55, 55 and up. Not a score change.
Arm Slot is the drill that moves this.
Sample
Flaw fix
When the front foot lands, the throwing hand is still by the back hip.
Root cause. A late arm is why the ball sails glove side after the hips go. We do not fix that with a harder fastball. Two days this week, after the hips lead. No mound.
Coaching cues
- Arm up as the foot lands.
Drill prescription
Arm Slot
Rung. Catch-play
Reps. 8 of 10 reps.
Pass. Three throws in a row a partner can see the hand at shoulder height when the front foot lands. No pain.
Equipment. A baseball. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Sample. When the front foot lands, the throwing hand is still by the back hip. Arm up as the foot lands. Three throws in a row a partner can see the hand at shoulder height when the front foot lands. No pain.
Skim to Stride WU
Rung. Catch-play
Reps. 8 of 10 reps.
Equipment. A baseball. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Sample. When the front foot lands, the throwing hand is still by the back hip. Arm up as the foot lands.
Release & Finish
No earlier numberRelease & Finish 56: On easy fastballs you finish over the front leg, ready to field. Hold this.
Above avg for level
Craftsman · Mixed pitches, not your hardestYou finish out over your front leg and could field a ball hit back at you.
You already. On easy fastballs you finish over the front leg, ready to field.
Leaking. A late arm cuts the finish short.
Proof. The finish holds when the effort stays easy.
Measured. Extension 3.6 in. The system scored Release & Finish from this.
If you clean this up. This is already in the high band. Holding it is the work. Projection, not a score change.
Drills coming is the drill that moves this.
Sample
Flaw fix
A late arm cuts the finish short.
Root cause. Out-front extension, a full deceleration over the front leg, and a ready fielding position.
Coaching cues
Drill prescription
Drills coming
Rung. Bullpen
Reps. One round. Stop on a miss.
Equipment. A baseball. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Sample. A late arm cuts the finish short.
Not scored yet · we don't guess
- Velocity Not scored from video. We do not guess.
- Spin Not scored from video. We do not guess.
- Game command This is a bullpen, not a live inning.
Video checklist · what we need next
- Open-side bullpen, the view we have
- Behind the mound
- A second pen at the same effort
Session log Up 4 since September
Session score · only your past
- Sept 4
- Oct 16
- Balance & Posture—
- Direction & Stride—
- Hip-Shoulder Separation—
- Arm Path & Timing—
- Release & Finish—
Shuffle Change
Scoreboard
Up 4 since September
Only your past. Pick a line.
Station focus Next steps · Coaching cues
- Station name
- Hips first, shoulders stay
- Concept
- Sequencing.
- Drill and reps
- Hop & Throw His plans do not list a count.
Shuffle Change His plans do not list a count. - Cue
- “Hips first, shoulders stay.”
- Win
- Six catch-play throws in a row where a partner sees the hips start while the shoulders stay closed.
- Station name
- Arm up at the foot
- Concept
- The arm is on time, up and in the slot where the throwing hand is up by the shoulder when the front foot lands, not late or early.
- Drill and reps
- Arm Slot His plans do not list a count.
Skim to Stride WU His plans do not list a count. - Cue
- “Arm up as the foot lands.”
- Win
- Three throws in a row a partner can see the hand at shoulder height when the front foot lands.
What you already own
- At the top of the lift you stay tall and your head stays still.
- The stride lands closed on the line to the plate.
- On easy fastballs you finish over the front leg.
The data shows the leak
Flaw > Fix
1ROOT CAUSE
Flaw. The hips and the shoulders open at the same time.
Why. You are balanced enough to let the hips go first.
Hips first, shoulders stay
“Hips first, shoulders stay.”
Hop & Throw His plans do not list a count.
Shuffle Change His plans do not list a count.
2
Flaw. When the front foot lands, your throwing hand is still down by the back hip.
Why. A late arm is why the ball sails glove side after the hips go.
Arm up at the foot
“Arm up as the foot lands.”
Arm Slot His plans do not list a count.
Skim to Stride WU His plans do not list a count.
| Flaw (what we see) | Why it matters | Fix and cue | Drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1The hips and the shoulders open at the same time. ROOT CAUSE | You are balanced enough to let the hips go first. | Hips first, shoulders stay“Hips first, shoulders stay.” | Hop & Throw His plans do not list a count. Shuffle Change His plans do not list a count. |
| 2When the front foot lands, your throwing hand is still down by the back hip. | A late arm is why the ball sails glove side after the hips go. | Arm up at the foot“Arm up as the foot lands.” | Arm Slot His plans do not list a count. Skim to Stride WU His plans do not list a count. |
You already hold the pause and the easy finish. Now we build the base under them, rep by rep. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts.
Coach's notes
The plan Earn each step
- Step 1 →Catch play.
- Step 2 →A partner calls the shoulders closed or open.
- Step 3 →Hand up as the foot lands.
- Step 4 ✓Same effort.
The chain. The hips and the shoulders open together, the arm is late at the foot, and the ball misses glove side. Fix the hips turning before the shoulders and the chain breaks.
Sam, I watched this bullpen next to Sept 4. You are 16, you pitch, and you want first-pitch strikes. Session score then: 48. Session score now: 52. That is your bullpen. This is not a Swing Score. On Sept 4 your head drifted toward the glove side at the top of the lift. On this bullpen you stay tall, and your head does not drift. Keep the pause. Do not skip it to throw harder. The stride stays on the line to the plate, and the front foot lands closed. On the easy fastballs you finish over the front leg, ready to field a ball hit back at you. The misses that cost the first pitch start in the middle. The hips and the shoulders open together, so the torso never fires, and the fastball misses to the glove side. You are balanced enough to let the hips go first. This week is catch play, not the mound, and not more velocity. Hips turning before the shoulders: Journeyman on your Skill Ladder. Catch-play station. Cue: “Hips first, shoulders stay.” Pass: Six catch-play throws in a row where a partner sees the hips start while the shoulders stay closed. Stop if the elbow or shoulder hurts. The arm is late on the same pitches. When the front foot lands, your throwing hand is still down by the back hip, not up in the slot where the throwing hand is up by the shoulder. A late arm is why the ball sails after the hips go. We do not fix that with a harder fastball. Two days this week, after the hips lead. Arm Path & Timing: Journeyman on your Skill Ladder. Catch-play station. Cue: “Arm up as the foot lands.” Pass: Three throws in a row a partner can see the hand at shoulder height when the front foot lands. No pain.
Morgan Hale
The plan Earn each step
- Step 1 →Catch play.
- Step 2 →A partner calls the shoulders closed or open.
- Step 3 →Hand up as the foot lands.
- Step 4 ✓Same effort.
The chain. The hips and the shoulders open together, the arm is late at the foot, and the ball misses glove side. Fix the hips turning before the shoulders and the chain breaks.
Compare
Two of your own sessions. Only your past.
Session score
Sept 4
Up 4
Oct 16
Balance & Posture
Sept 4
No earlier number
Oct 16
Direction & Stride
Sept 4
No earlier number
Oct 16
Hip-Shoulder Separation
Sept 4
No earlier number
Oct 16
Arm Path & Timing
Sept 4
No earlier number
Oct 16
Release & Finish
Sept 4
No earlier number
Oct 16