VeloUnlocked: Decrypting Elite Baseball Performance

What role do your fingers play in velocity and spin? More than most pitchers and coaches realize.

In this episode of Applied Baseball Science, Dr. Nicholas Serio of VeloU breaks down a 2024 study that used a sensor-embedded baseball to analyze finger strength, rate of force development (RFD), and anatomical structure in college pitchers — and how each contributes to fastball velocity and spin rate.

🔬 Key findings from the study:

• Middle finger force output strongly correlated with velocity and spin
  
  
  
• Rate of force development (RFD) in the index and middle fingers was just as important as peak strength
  
  
  
• Pinch strength (thumb + index/middle) was associated with higher fastball speeds
  
  
  
• Finger length differences — especially between index and middle — influenced spin efficiency
  
  
  

This video explains:

• Why force delivery matters as much as force generation
  
  
  
• How finger mechanics may be a hidden lever in pitcher development
  
  
  
• How VeloU trains finger-specific strength, deceleration, and adaptation
  
  
  

If you’re chasing velocity, spin rate, or just trying to get more out of what your body already produces — don’t overlook the last thing that touches the baseball.

📌 Subscribe for more research-driven breakdowns from the VeloU team.

🎓 Learn more at https://www.velouniversity.com

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

Towel drills are widely used as a “low-stress” tool in throwing programs — especially during rehab or mechanical refinement. But new research suggests they may not be as harmless as we think.

In this episode of Applied Baseball Science, Dr. Nicholas Serio of VeloU breaks down a 2024 study that measured elbow valgus torque during towel drills and compared it to full-effort throws.

What researchers found may surprise you:

• Towel drills using a face towel generated ~80% of the elbow stress seen in live throws
  
  
  
• Arm speed directly predicted torque during drills — but not during actual pitching
  
  
  
• Self-selected effort levels may disguise high joint loads, especially when athletes “over-accelerate” without a ball
  
  
  

If you’re using towel drills in a return-to-throwing plan, ramp-up progression, or rehab protocol, this video is a must-watch. Understanding what these drills actually do — biomechanically — could change how you approach recovery and arm care.

📌 Subscribe for more science-backed baseball insights from VeloU.

🎓 Learn more at https://www.velouniversity.com

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

One of baseball’s oldest beliefs says pitchers should keep their arms warm between innings. But what if cooling down actually helps?

In this episode of VeloUnlocked, we break down a 2016 study where pitchers applied ice to their shoulder and forearm between innings—and ended up throwing harder, feeling better, and holding their velocity deeper into games. We cover what the study showed, possible reasons it worked, and how you can safely test this in your own training.

Is it time to rethink your between-inning routine?

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

What happens when pitchers stop lifting — but continue throwing?

In this episode of Applied Baseball Science, Dr. Nicholas Serio of VeloU breaks down a revealing study that tracked NCAA Division I pitchers through an 8-week fall throwing program with no access to strength training. Despite structured mound work, progressive intensity, and live batters, the athletes experienced a 6.3 mph drop in fastball velocity — in just two months.

Inside this video:

• Why velocity dropped despite consistent throwing
  
  
  
• What stayed the same: arm slot, torque, and mechanics
  
  
  
• Why force production declines without resistance-based adaptation
  
  
  
• The hidden risks of compensating when output fades
  
  
  
• How strength and throwing must be integrated for sustained performance
  
  
  

Whether you’re a pitcher managing in-season training or a coach building development plans, this episode unpacks why throwing alone isn’t enough — and what happens when the weight room is left behind.

📌 Subscribe for more science-backed breakdowns of what actually drives baseball performance.

🎓 Learn more at https://www.velouniversity.com

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

Why are warm-weather pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier than their cold-weather peers? In this episode of Applied Baseball Science, Dr. Nicholas Serio of VeloU breaks down a recent NCAA D1 study that reveals a troubling trend: pitchers from warm-weather states experience UCL injuries at significantly younger ages — and that early breakdown may carry long-term consequences.

This video explores:

• The key findings from a 320-athlete study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
  
  
  
• The physiological reasons why young elbows are more vulnerable to early overuse
  
  
  
• The hidden risks of early specialization and year-round baseball
  
  
  
• How VeloU uses tools like the ArmCare device to monitor readiness, adjust workloads, and build long-term durability
  
  
  

Whether you’re a pitcher, parent, or coach, understanding when stress accumulates — and how to respond to it — is critical for injury prevention and sustainable performance.

📌 Subscribe to stay updated on how science is reshaping the modern game.

🎓 Learn more at https://www.velouniversity.com

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

In this episode, Nick and Tom Jankins, VeloU's Director of Pitching and former AAA pitcher with the Brewers, talk about how pressure affects performance. They break down how athletes can manage stress in high-pressure situations and perform at their best when it matters most.

Watch to the full discussion on YouTube: Watch the full episode

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

In this episode, we break down why so many pitchers struggle to throw strikes when the pressure is on — and how internal language and mindset are often the root cause. You'll learn about self-fulfilling prophecies, ironic process theory, and how future- or past-focused thinking can sabotage your performance. We also cover actionable strategies to fix it both on the mound and off, including simple in-game adjustments and nightly mental exercises that can sharpen your focus over time.

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

In this episode, we dive into how the landscape of college baseball recruiting is changing — and what that means for pitchers chasing velocity numbers. We discuss why the rush to hit 90 mph in high school may no longer be the only path, how the transfer portal is reshaping recruiting priorities, and why a longer-term development approach could lower injury risk and lead to better career outcomes. If you're serious about playing college baseball, this is a conversation you need to hear.

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

Control issues in throwing often stem from mental barriers like anxiety and overthinking rather than mechanical flaws. Athletes can improve accuracy by focusing on the simple goal of hitting the target, using a constraints-led approach and ecological training to build confidence and consistency. By combining mental clarity with practical drills, throwers can overcome control challenges and perform more effectively.

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

"Elbow flu" is a term used to describe joint inflammation in throwing athletes during or after a viral illness like a cold, caused by the body's inflammatory response. This condition can lead to joint stiffness, pain, and reduced performance, especially if athletes train at high intensities during recovery. To avoid setbacks, proceed with caution. 

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more. 

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.