What Is the Fastball Deadzone?

Have you ever been told by a coach that your 4-seam fastball lives in the dreaded "deadzone"?

With most teams and pitching development programs using Trackman or Rapsodo, the term gets thrown around a lot—but what does it actually mean?

The “deadzone” refers to a fastball with insufficient vertical or horizontal movement—a pitch that lacks the late action needed to avoid the hitter’s barrel. Most “average” 4-seams produce:

• 12–15 inches of Induced Vertical Break (IVB)
  
  
• 12–15 inches of Horizontal Break (HB)
  
  

Pitchers aiming to escape the deadzone often try to increase spin rate or improve spin efficiency.

Why Movement Isn’t the Whole Story

Let’s put this theory to the test using Brendan White, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and a current VeloU athlete.

At first glance, Brendan’s 4-seam looks average—it has less rise and run than most MLB fastballs. So why do hitters struggle to touch it?

‍Because Metrics Without Context Are Misleading

Too many coaches and players evaluate pitches only through a spin-based lens. But to understand true pitch effectiveness, you must factor in Vertical Approach Angle (VAA).

What Is Vertical Approach Angle (VAA)?

VAA is the angle at which the ball crosses home plate. It’s influenced by:

• Release height
  
  
• Pitch velocity
  
  
• Pitch location
  
  

This matters because hitters train their swing paths to match typical pitch angles. A unique VAA forces a visual mismatch, increasing the chances of a swing and miss—even if the pitch has average spin.

How Brendan White Uses VAA to Beat Hitters

Brendan excels at generating forward extension and releases the ball from just under 4 feet—lower than most MLB pitchers. Combine that with a 94.4 mph average fastball, and you get:

• A flatter VAA
  
  
• A pitch that reaches the zone at an unexpected angle
  
  
• A tough visual for hitters to adjust to
  
  

The Results?

• .162 opponent batting average on his 4-seam fastball
  
  
• 35.7% whiff rate
  
  

Those numbers aren't average—they’re elite.

Why VeloU Remote Training Helps Pitchers Escape the Deadzone

At VeloU, our remote pitching coaching system doesn’t just look at Rapsodo charts or Trackman graphs—we contextualize your entire delivery:

• We analyze VAA, extension, release height, and timing
  
  
• You’ll get a full mechanical breakdown using personalized video analysis
  
  
• We help you build a pitching arsenal that plays, even if your spin metrics are “deadzone”
  
  

Ready to Find Out How Your Fastball Really Plays?

If you're a high school or college pitcher trying to beat the "deadzone" label, it’s time to go beyond the surface. Learn how the best remote pitching coach team at VeloU can help you build a pitch that gets outs—regardless of spin.

👉 Sign Up for Your Free Remote Pitching Evaluation

Why VeloU?

• ✅ Trusted by MLB players and elite college pitchers
  
  
• ✅ Data-driven approach using VAA, biomechanics, and pitch profiling
  
  
• ✅ Remote and in-person coaching options
  
  
• ✅ Two free weeks of app access + a detailed evaluation