Short of sorcery, there’s just no way to know. Yet that hasn’t stopped Conte from attempting to build a crystal ball anyway. In a post-Moneyball world, he says, injury risk assessment is the final frontier.
-ESPN
The five main metrics that should be included in the MLB are not going to happen, because objective data is not always on the side of those that are collecting it. Instead of the critical review only in my earlier post, I will share what 5 aspects can do for assessing and monitoring baseball. I wrote a short blog on how to protect the pitcher, but I think it was too early and should be applied to the entire team, not just the pitchers. None of the methodologies I have shared are new, but Baseball is old culturally and has inbred so much that I don’t think it will change. Here are the five metrics with some advancements that should be interesting.
Lots of talk about crystal balls, but I think a good plan for teams is to use the following 5 metrics:
(1) Video mechanics of each player and get a full movement signature, and then appraise risk. Combine Dartfish with Pressure Mapping each year to see drift from aging.
(2) Merge blood testing and genetic testing to see why athletes are breaking down from other factors outside biomechanics.
(3) Use the TMG/EMG/EMS triad approach to monitor shoulder, elbow, back, and knee health. No team is using TMG right now and I find it strange how small football clubs use it but the Dodgers don’t have an algorithm for it by now. Magic Johnson needs to step up and make sport science real in baseball as he is a leader, and please don’t limit to the military.
(4)HRV and GSR can get data that is objective and real for athletes that can’t be tracked via conventional SportVu cameras or GPS devices. Each day is a game, so tracking BP or fielding sessions may be the monitoring solution.
(5) PTF Scanning and MSK Ultrasound with filters can track inflammation and help estimate pain if done weekly. I suggest the day before games for pitchers and audit a position player on the day off.
None of the above is magic, but it’s good science. Who will win the cold war with data and baseball? The most progressive will take the leap of faith and get out of the comfort zone.