The baseball diamond has always been a place where tradition and innovation meet, but these days, the scales are tipping heavily toward technology—especially when it comes to understanding pitchers. Toronto-based Rapsodo is changing how Major League Baseball teams prepare for opposing pitchers, offering a depth of analysis that was once unimaginable.
“We’re seeing data revolutionize baseball preparation at every level,” says Jared Matheson, pitching coach for the Toronto Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate. “What’s exciting is that this technology was developed right here in Ontario.”
Rapsodo’s tracking system captures everything from spin rate to release point, allowing teams to create detailed profiles of opposing pitchers. The company’s devices—about the size of a small laptop—sit behind home plate during bullpen sessions and pre-game warmups, collecting thousands of data points per pitch.
“Ten years ago, we’d watch video and take notes,” explains veteran MLB scout Marcus Freeman. “Today, we know exactly how a pitcher’s four-seam fastball moves, down to the inch. It’s changed our entire approach to batting preparation.”
The technology has gained such popularity that 28 of 30 MLB teams now use Rapsodo’s systems, with many deploying them throughout their minor league systems as well. What started in a small Ontario tech incubator has become an essential tool in baseball’s analytical revolution.
For players, the technology offers immediate feedback that traditional coaching couldn’t provide. Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah has credited the system with helping him refine his slider, a pitch that has become one of his most effective weapons.
“You can feel when a pitch is working, but seeing the data confirms it,” says pitching analyst Sandra Chen. “When a pitcher can see their spin efficiency improve from 85% to 92%, it creates confidence in the adjustments they’re making.”
The Ontario connection runs deep. Rapsodo’s development team includes several engineers who studied at the University of Toronto and Waterloo, bringing Canadian expertise to America’s pastime. The company maintains its research headquarters in downtown Toronto, where they continue refining their baseball and golf analysis tools.
According to Statistics Canada, sports technology firms in Ontario have seen 27% growth since 2020, outpacing most tech sectors. Rapsodo represents the kind of specialized innovation that has helped position the province as a leader in sports performance technology.
Not everyone is embracing the change with open arms. Some traditional baseball minds worry that the game is becoming too technical, losing the human element that makes baseball special.
“There’s definitely a balance,” admits former MLB pitcher and Toronto native Jesse Barfield. “You can’t just pitch to a spreadsheet. But if you ignore the data completely, you’re giving up a competitive advantage.”
For fans, the technology has created new ways to understand and appreciate the game. Broadcasts now regularly feature spin rate graphics and pitch movement illustrations, concepts that were once confined to coaching conversations.
The Ontario government has taken notice of this growing industry, offering tax incentives for sports technology startups through its Innovation Pathway Program. Last year, five new baseball-focused tech companies launched in the Greater Toronto Area alone.
“It’s creating a mini Silicon Valley for sports tech,” says tech analyst Maya Wong. “These companies are finding success in baseball and then expanding to other sports like hockey and basketball.”
As the 2023 MLB postseason approaches, teams are leaning even more heavily on technology like Rapsodo to prepare for crucial matchups. Scouts are creating comprehensive pitch profiles for every potential opponent, giving hitters detailed breakdowns of what they’ll face.
I watched a recent Blue Jays practice where hitters were studying tablets showing 3D renderings of an opposing pitcher’s release point and ball movement. The level of preparation is unlike anything the sport has seen before.
Whether this technology-driven approach will produce more championships for teams that embrace it remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: an Ontario innovation has permanently changed how baseball’s best prepare for the game’s most crucial moments.
For a province better known for its contributions to hockey, this baseball revolution represents an unexpected but welcome addition to Ontario’s sports legacy.
