Pitching Strategy

Reports show pitch types and zones a hitter struggles with.

Source: General baseball reference · recall

Pitchers attack the zone where a hitter fails.

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Every hitter has a spot where he does the most damage.

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Hitters with high chase rates swing at pitches outside the zone.

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A hitter who chases can be retired with pitches he cannot hit well.

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A patient hitter waits for mistakes and walks if the pitcher nibbles.

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If a hitter adjusted last time, the pitcher must adjust too.

Source: General baseball reference · recall

Study, plan, set up, finish.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Free swingers chase; patient hitters take the walk.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Hot and cold zone charts show where a hitter hits well and where he does not.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Sequencing is how a pitcher strings pitches together.

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Repetition lets the hitter sit on one pitch.

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One pitch changes what the hitter expects for the next.

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Hitters often take a first-pitch breaking ball for a strike.

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Predictable patterns help scouts and hitters.

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A runner on second can see signs and relay patterns.

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A second breaking ball in a row can catch a hitter expecting a fastball.

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Different speeds and eye levels set up the finish.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Variety makes a sequence hard to read.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

The order and location of pitches to a hitter is a sequence.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

If a hitter fears the inside pitch, the outside corner works better.

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A pitch that misses inside can hit the hitter.

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Brushbacks warn a hitter not to crowd the plate.

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Umpires can warn and eject for intentionally throwing at a batter.

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Diving towards the outside leaves no room to turn on inside pitches.

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A cutter bores in on opposite-handed hitters' hands.

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Pitchers who command inside are much harder to hit.

Source: General baseball reference · recall

Inside pitches make the outside pitch look farther away.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Brushbacks are off the inside edge; the outside corner is farthest.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

A pitch tight inside that moves the hitter off the plate is a brushback.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Pitches at different heights are harder to track.

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After a slow, low pitch, a high fast one seems quicker.

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Bigger gaps between fastball and off-speed pitches upset timing.

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Changing speeds can make up for a lack of velocity.

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Pitches that look alike early and split late are tunnelled.

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Up and down pairs force the hitter to cover different heights.

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Without enough speed difference, hitters stay on time.

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Low, lower, then high: the high pitch is hard to catch up to.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

The slower the pitch, the later it arrives after the fastball.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Two pitches on one early line that part late are hard to tell apart.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

A big lead lets a pitcher attack; a tie demands care.

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Solo homers matter little with a big lead; walks prolong innings.

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A home run in a tie game late is decisive.

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Challenging means attacking the zone rather than avoiding it.

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With nobody on, the worst outcome is just one run.

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Now even a single can score the tying run.

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He can risk ball four rather than give in.

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The closer the game and the more runners on, the more care he needs.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

He never gives the slugger a pitch over the middle.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

With first base open, a walk is less harmful than a hit.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

A jam is a dangerous spot, often with runners in scoring position.

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Two outs on one pitch can end the inning.

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Even an out in play can score the runner.

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A walk forces in a run; a strikeout or force at home helps.

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Rushing pulls his arm out of rhythm.

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A visit slows things down and resets the plan.

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Escaping a jam keeps the score unchanged.

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Strike one, a sinker, the double play.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

More runners in scoring position with fewer outs is more dangerous.

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Stepping off helps a pitcher reset in a jam.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Varying holds makes a jump harder to time.

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A faster delivery cuts the runner's time.

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Some pitchers lose speed or command with a slide step.

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A slow delivery adds time to the steal.

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A long hold can freeze the runner.

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Off-speed pitches give the runner more time.

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Looking the runner back keeps his lead short.

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Sign, set, look, quick delivery.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

A quick delivery and a fast pop time together give the catcher the best chance.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Holding and looking keeps the runner from getting a good jump.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

The best hitters bat first, and the pitcher is still settling in.

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Hitters must respect the fastball before off-speed pitches work.

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The pregame pen shows which pitches have life that day.

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Three up, three down is a clean inning.

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Pitchers adjust to what is working.

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The quality start is a simple measure of a solid outing.

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Fewer innings for relievers keep them fresh.

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Warm-up, early innings, rhythm, exit.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Longer outings with fewer runs are better.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Six innings with three earned runs or fewer is a quality start.

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Giving up first base can be safer than giving the slugger a pitch to drive.

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Giving up the base can be wiser than giving up a hit.

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Before the universal DH, pitchers usually batted ninth and hit poorly.

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Extra runners can come back to hurt the pitcher.

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A signalled walk avoids throwing four pitches that might go wild.

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Teams avoid a hot hitter when they can.

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Missing the corners leads to walks and long innings.

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Nothing hittable, accept the walk.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

The intentional walk gives no chance to swing.

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Keeping all pitches off the plate is pitching around a hitter.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Pitchers lean on what is working each day.

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Hitters often do better each time they see a pitcher.

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Tired pitchers often release lower, flattening their pitches.

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Reversing patterns surprises hitters who have adjusted.

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Pitching inside punishes a hitter who leans over.

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Feel pitches like some changeups come and go from day to day.

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Quick fixes between innings can save a start.

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Spotting the problem, then leaning on what works.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Hitters improve each time they see him in a game.

Source: General baseball reference · applied

Teams review pitches between innings to adjust.

Source: General baseball reference · applied