Spin rate has been frequently shown on TV or from baseball highlights since statcast available in 2015. It surely creates a new way to watch baseball games and evaluate a pitcher. From 2015 to 2020, any dramatic changes in spin rate?
Let’s look at 4-seamer, which is the most common pitch used in the game. In 2015, the league average 4-seamer spin rate was 2238 rpm. In 2016, 4-seamers were spinning at 2266 rpm. The 4-seamer spin rate dropped a little bit in 2017. However, the league average 4-seamer spin rate has increased since 2018 and it was over 2300 rpm last season.
Back in 2015, Rafael Betancourt’s four-seamer was on average spinning at a rate of 2561 rpm. Betancourt played 12 seasons in the big league and the 2015 season was his last season, in which he made 45 relief appearances for the Rockies. Tyson Ross, Yimi Garcia, AJ Ramos and Garrett Richards each threw four-seamers that, on average, spun at least 2500 rpm in 2015.
Andrew Bailey won the 2009 Rookie of the Year and was a two-time All-Star. However, injury affected his career. In 2016, Bailey’s four-seamer was on average at 2674 rpm. On the chart, we can see Cy Young winners Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, former first overall pick Matt Bush and Aroldis Chapman, whose average fastball velocity was over 100 mph in 2016 and helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series title.
Two pitchers threw four-seamers that spun at least 2600 rpm (average) in 2017. Carl Edwards Jr.’s four-seamer was on average spinning at 2677 rpm and batting average against his four-seamer was only .163. Mike Minor was very reliable in the Royals bullpen in 2017 and he reunited with the Royals. Two Astros pitchers Justin Verlander and Ryan Pressly each threw four-seamers that spun at least 2500 rpm.
In 2018, three pitchers threw four-seamers that spun at least 2600 rpm. Carl Edwards Jr.’s four-seamer had a spin rate of 2660 rpm. Verlander’s four-seamer had a higher spin rate in 2018 than in 2017. Garret Richards’ four-seamer had an average spin rate of 2602. Jose Leclerc’s four-seamer was spinning almost 2600 rpm and was a great weapon that batters only hit .150 against his four-seamer.
4 pitchers threw four-seamers that, on average, spun at least 2600 rpm in 2019. Brewers’ Corbin Burnes is one of them and his 4-seamer was spinning at 2656 rpm on average in 2019. The other three pitchers were Jose Leclerc, Mike Minor and Felipe Vazquez.
Last season, only one pitcher’s four-seamer that on average spun higher than 2600 rpm. Trevor Bauer is that special pitcher. On average, Bauer’s four-seamer had a spin rate of 2776 rpm in 2020. Yes, it was even higher than 2700 rpm. Bauer’s four-seamer was truly one of most devastating pitches in the majors, batters only hit .140 against his high-spin four-seamer.
Spin affects outcomes of different pitches. A fastball with a high spin rate appears to have a rising effect on the hitter. It seems that MLB pitchers are trying to let their four-seamers spin more as we can see that the average spin rate goes up. We also see that Cy Young winners Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Trevor Bauer do throw a high-spin four-seamer. We won’t see Verlander in the 2021 season. But we can see whether Bauer’s four-seamer will spin even more.
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