Throw harder? II

A couple of days ago, we just took a look at data about four-seam fastballs over the last 17 seasons and tried to understand the trends in the majors.

 

Now, let’s take a look at another fastball. 2-seam fastballs (sinkers) are also used by many pitchers. And again, I decided to check on the statcast website.

 

Back in 2008, in the MLB, average pitch velocity of 2-seamers (sinkers) was 90.7 mph. In 2009 and 2010, average velocity of 2-seam fastballs was 91.1 mph. From 2011 to 2014, the average velocity of 2-seamers was over 91 mph. In 2015, the number was over 92 mph. Average velocity of 2-seam fastballs was 92.1 mph and the next season, it went up a little bit. In 2017 and 2018, average pitch velocity of 2-seam fastballs dropped a little bit. However, the number went up again in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, average pitch velocity of 2-seamers reached 93 mph. Since then, the number has remained above 93 mph.

 

In addition, let’s take a look at spin rate. In 2015, average spin rate of 2-seamers (sinkers) was 2115 rpm league wide. The next season, it went up a little bit. In 2019, the number was over 2150 rpm. Nonetheless, in 2021, average spin rate of 2-seamers declined to 2120 rpm. However, in 2022, the number increased to 2142 rpm. And the number has remained above 2140 rpm since then. Well, since the statcast data became available, average spin rate of 2-seamers has remained over 2100 rpm but below 2200 rpm.

 

Finally, let’s see if there are more and more 2-seamers (sinkers) that reach 95 mph or higher. Back in 2008, only 12461 sinkers reached 95 mph or higher. The next season, the number went up to 16455. In 2010 and 2011, the number remained over 16000. In 2012, there were more than 17500 two-seamers with a velocity of 95 mph or higher. The next season, the number stayed above 17000. In 2014, it increased significantly. More than 20000 two-seam fastballs reached 95 mph or higher. And in 2015, it continued growing. In 2015 and in 2016, there were more than 25000 two-seam fastballs with a velocity of 95 mph or higher each season. Nonetheless, in 2017, the number dropped. In 2018 and 2019, things weren’t the same as it was in 2016, either. And the 2020 season was a shortened one. Nevertheless, the number has gone up since 2021. There were more 26000+ two-seamers that were 95 mph or higher in 2021. In 2022, the number was over 29000. In 2023, more than 31000 two-seam fastballs reached 95 mph or higher. Last season, there were more than 32000 sinkers with a velocity of 95 mph or higher.

Looking back at the stats about 2-seam fastballs (sinkers) over the last 17 seasons, it’s obvious that pitch velocity is going up. Well, the spin rate of 2-seamers hasn’t changed much since 2015. Nonetheless, we can clearly see that more and more sinkers touched 95 mph or higher. Without doubt, 2-seamers are becoming faster in the majors.