Date of Award

Summer 8-31-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Computer Science

First Advisor

Timothy Highley

Abstract

Since 1974, over 270 Tommy John surgeries have been performed on pitchers at the major league level. Thousands more surgeries have been performed on minor league, college, high school and youth pitchers. As more biomechanical and statistical research has been conducted over the past few decades, a clearer picture of some of the risks and causes that lead to serious elbow injuries in pitchers have been found. This paper explores the research surrounding several of those factors, including pitching mechanics, pitch velocity, and pitch type. Using a data set comprised of major league pitchers that have undergone Tommy John surgery between 2008 and 2018, a significant difference in velocity was seen between the Tommy John group and a control group of pitchers. No major differences in pitch type or spin rate were seen between the groups.

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