PITCHf/x
This section focuses on all things PITCHf/X
Justin Verlander has once again returned to ace form
If the slider doesn’t make you stumble, the fastball will surely turn you into toast.
The real Zack Greinke has shown up
After a rough first year in Arizona, Greinke’s refinements have proven he’s a bonafide ace.
Is Corey Knebel the next Craig Kimbrel?
At only 25 years of age, Knebel is quickly making a name for himself as an elite closer.
Mariners starter James Paxton is the real deal
After big changes in 2016, Paxton has soared to the top of the league.
Pat Neshek continues to prove that pitch velocity isn’t everything
In a game dominated by PITCHf/x data, Neshek has found a niche, and one that’s brought plenty of success.
Why is nobody talking about Jimmy Nelson?
He’s evolved into exactly the type of pitcher the Milwaukee Brewers need right now.
The rise of the 90mph changeup
How Félix Hernández unwittingly started a revolution.
The deGrominator is back
After an unlucky, career-worst month of June, Jacob deGrom has rebounded, and is setting his sights on a strong second half.
Sean Doolittle is pitching better than ever
His swing and miss stuff is among the best, especially out of the strike zone.
Clayton Kershaw’s Kryptonite in 2017 has been home runs
His four-seam fastball and its location are mostly to blame.
Dylan Bundy should throw more high fastballs
Other pitchers, like Tampa Bay’s Jake Odorizzi, have found success at the top of the strike zone.
Chad Green needs to improve his fastball command
For the righty to stick in the Yankees rotation, he must harness his incredible heat.
Tyler Thornburg has become a respectable closer
The Brewers' former top 100 prospect has made some changes and emerged as a legitimate late-inning reliever following the July trades of Will Smith and Jeremy Jeffress.
Julio Urias has shown he belongs
The Dodgers’ 20-year-old phenom has been as good as advertised.
Joe Biagini, the best Rule 5 pick of the year
Originally taken from the Giants’ system in December, Biagini has added a cutter and become a dominant reliever for the Blue Jays.
Luis Perdomo is developing in the Majors
One of the Padres’ acquisitions from the Rule 5 Draft, Perdomo has transitioned into the rotation and developed some promising traits — while also seeing improved results.
Tanner Roark’s fastball has made him a top-level starter
Roark has been one of baseball’s best starters at limiting hard contact this season.
Ken Giles and Luke Gregerson: Masters of the slider
Houston's bullpen has gotten a boost thanks to the lethal breaking balls of these two righties.
Justin Wilson is baseball’s most dominant ‘bad’ reliever
Justin Wilson has allowed a lot of runs, but the reason for it isn’t very clear.
Can Brandon McCarthy save the Dodgers rotation?
L.A. needs starters, badly. They might have just gotten one back.
Felipe Rivero has one of the best changeups in baseball
But the Nationals reliever still can't retire lefties.
Jose Fernandez is getting better and better
Jose Fernandez, in his first full year back from Tommy John, has continued his upward trend as one of the best young pitchers in baseball.
Dallas Keuchel is throwing (kinda) hard again
Declining velocity led to a myriad of issues for the American League’s reigning Cy Young winner early this season, but as Dallas Keuchel has regained incremental velocity, his troubles have subsided.
Jon Gray might be starting to conquer Coors Field
Early signs show that throwing hard might be an effective way to get hitters out at altitude.
The White Sox might have fixed Miguel Gonzalez
The crafty righty looked like he had nothing left. But Don Cooper may have resurrected him.
The chronically underperforming Ricky Nolasco
By roughly every measure but runs, the Twins starter has been roughly average since joining the Twins. What's going on?
Will Harris, quietly elite reliever
Once a 30-year-old waiver wire pickup, the Astros reliever has spent the last two seasons dominating in an inconsistent bullpen, without much closer consideration.
Tyler Chatwood is an ace away from Coors
Big surprise that he has trouble at Coors. Ha.
Jean Segura's disciplined adjustment
The Diamondbacks' infielder has, to this point in the 2016 season, been able to lay off of the high pitch.
Trumbo is crushing the ball and could continue to
A guy who often starts hot could actually remain hot.
David Price's poor start is (probably) nothing
The Red Sox's new ace isn't off to the start that Boston hoped for. Aside from one potential problem, there still aren't many long term concerns.
Jordan Zimmermann now throws his slider to lefties
The new Tiger starter has come out of the gates throwing the pitch more often to opposite-handed hitters and is throwing it significantly more often in the strike zone.