The New York Yankees are taking innovation to a new level this postseason with the help of a cutting-edge pitching machine called Trajekt. Located just steps from their Yankee Stadium clubhouse, the machine allows hitters to face virtual replicas of any pitcher in Major League Baseball, simulating each player’s unique spin, speed, and movement.
Using data analytics, the Yankees upload specific metrics of opposing pitchers into Trajekt’s system, letting players like Anthony Volpe and Alex Verdugo get real-time practice against the exact pitcher they’ll face in the upcoming game. “Trajekt is probably the most realistic pitching machine of all time,” said Travis Fitta of Driveline Baseball.
With MLB’s first-ever approval for teams to use Trajekt in-game, the Yankees hope this innovation will provide an edge, especially against elite bullpens like that of the Cleveland Guardians, their American League Championship Series rivals. Yankees hitting coach James Rowson said the machine offers hitters crucial visual context, giving them a head start on timing and release points — a strategic advantage as the team fights to reclaim championship glory.
