On May 28, during their game against the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Angels were trailing by one run midway through. Willie Calhoun, an experienced outfielder, anticipated he might be called upon as a late-game pinch hitter. To prepare, he headed to Angel Stadium’s indoor batting cage and activated the Trajekt Arc, a state-of-the-art machine renowned for its ability to mimic major league pitchers.
Calhoun focused on studying the Yankees’ top relievers, many of whom he had never faced before, by tracking numerous pitches over a couple of innings. When called to bat against Luke Weaver in the eighth inning, Calhoun felt well-prepared. He skillfully navigated two changeups for balls and then capitalized on a 91 mph cutter, hitting a single to right field. This leadoff hit sparked a two-run inning, ultimately leading to a comeback victory for the Angels.
Reflecting on his success, Calhoun remarked, “I was able to see how it was looking before I got into the box. That machine is nice.”
The Trajekt Arc, essentially a sophisticated pitching robot, can project a pitcher’s windup and deliver pitches from the appropriate arm angle using extensive data. Since its introduction in 2021, it has been adopted by 19 major league teams and three teams in Japan. This year, the MLB allowed in-game use of Trajekt, a decision that has sparked debate within the industry.
While some hitters praise Trajekt as a rare technological advancement that benefits them, many pitchers view it as an unfair advantage, especially during games. Trajekt’s offline functionality, developed to comply with MLB’s sign-stealing policy, has enabled its in-game use. Despite initial resistance, it was allowed as it no longer required an internet connection during games, similar to other pitch-replication devices like iPitch.
Though the impact appears minimal so far, with the league-wide batting average at .242, some attribute a slight decline in strikeout rates against relievers to Trajekt’s in-game use. Yankees reliever Caleb Ferguson expressed concerns, arguing it provides hitters an undue advantage by allowing them to repeatedly face his pitches virtually.
Despite its benefits, Trajekt has limitations. It is too bulky to travel with teams and is primarily used at home. Hitters also face challenges in timing and spin recognition. Some stadiums, like Arizona’s Chase Field, have spatial constraints that limit Trajekt’s effectiveness.
Trajekt, which costs approximately $15,000 per month with a three-year commitment, uses Hawk-Eye data and other metrics to replicate pitches accurately. It allows hitters to prepare against major league pitchers, even at minor league levels, enhancing training and performance evaluation.
Joshua Pope, who conceived Trajekt as a teenager, has seen his innovation grow significantly. Pope, now 28, founded Trajekt Sports in 2019, and the company has since become a vital tool for many teams. Trajekt’s capabilities have evolved, allowing hitters to train more effectively against major league pitching.
Rhys Hoskins of the Milwaukee Brewers exemplifies Trajekt’s utility. After an injury, he used Trajekt to stay sharp and prepare for potential playoff contributions. Now, he uses it regularly to track pitches between at-bats.
Pope’s goal is to see Trajekt adopted by all major league teams within two years, with increasing recognition of its benefits for both hitters and pitchers. While some argue it provides an edge for hitters, Trajekt represents a significant step forward in baseball training technology, offering a more realistic and effective way to prepare for the high demands of major league competition.
