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what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher

[CDATA[ K/BF: Strikeouts per batter faced. will throw 55 mph and an above average 12 y.o. Additionally, pitchers with high K rates tend to be among the best at notching impressive ERA and WHIP figures. Using FanGraphs custom leaderboards and Baseball Prospectus' Whiff/Swing, I ran regressions for 2012 for K% against percentage of fastballs thrown (FA%), percentage of sliders thrown (SL%), average fastball velocity (vFA), overall strike rate (Strike%), overall swing rate (Swing%), first strike rate (F-Strike%), Horizontal and Vertical pitch movement (H Mov and V Mov, respectively), walk rate (BB%) and finally, SwStr% and Whiff/Swing. All that may be true to some degree, but their contributions to the strikeout pandemic are most definitely overstated. Kimbrel has solidified himself as one of the elite closers of all time and is on pace to become the all-time saves leader. Hes achieved that not just with a fastball that can touch 100 miles per hour, but also with a devastating slider that induces swings-and-misses 43 percent of the time he throws the pitch. Expecting your pitcher(s) to strike out batters to mask a weak fielding defense is unrealistic. Charlie Morton and Aaron Nola, both of whom averaged more than 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings, sat well above the trend line. Below is a chart of strikeout rate per nine innings vs. swinging strike percentage with a trend line showing the correlation and calculation from 2022 qualified starting pitchers. But he became rejuvenated in Houston and set a career-high in strikeouts at 36 years old. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. And tonight it was that call. "Having your slider just be 84-mph four-seam fastballs, and [bounce off the] fence is not super fun." Indeed, though he threw the slider just 20% of the time, hitters clobbered it, batting .245 with a whopping .497 slugging percentage. Wainwright actually struck out a lesser share of opponent batsmen faced in 2012 than in 2010. In a career full of defining moments, one of the classic Nolan Ryan moments came during the last game of his career. Not a big fan of K's per inning or even K's/BB, probably partially because my DD was never a strikeout pitcher, plus last I knew a strikeout, groundout and flyout all count the same. Still, when I ran the numbers for 2012 and the period from 2007-2012, I was stunned at just how extreme the results were. Based on a few confused comments over at reddit, I would like to address this concern over the asymmetry. Time will tell me. Nicknamed the Cuban Missile, Chapman defected from Cuba to become one of MLBs most feared closers. He led the league in strikeouts-per-nine-innings 12 times during his Hall of Fame career. Jon Anderson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. ), Pitch Type Abbreviations & Classifications. It's simply the percentage of batters that a pitcher strikes out minus the percentage of batters that. Our own Glenn DuPaul has had a lot of research of late on how simple K and BB-based ERA estimators (including his new predictive FIP), so its becoming more valuable to identify what goes in to striking batters out. ;&. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); The average BABIP for pitchers is also about . Chris Paddack was a great example of this last year, he had one of the best K/BB ratios you will ever see in his minor league career, and sure enough, he immediately became one of the better major league pitchers, and he was very cheap in drafts last year. Strikeout percentage: 19.4 percent Batter WAR: -3.3 What followed: Uribe has maintained his major league career since that ugly rookie season, hitting .256 with a 91 OPS+ in the last 13. You will notice that there are no dots in the top right quadrant of those plots. Wainwright's stat line is Exhibit A in the case for using K% over K/9. With 12 strikeout titles, Johnson is the all-time leader in that category with one more than Nolan Ryan. Its pretty clear that a strikeout is a missed opportunity to put the ball in play. For further proof, here are the top 20 K/BB ratios of the last three years, once again using only pitchers that started 10 or more games. As for the red-flag, potential pitchers to avoid based on K/BB ratio, we can look at which pitchers had very strong ERAs but lagged behind in K/BB ratio. When a pitcher starts an at-bat with a strike, there is a 92.7% statistical chance that at-bat will result in an out, and the number of strike outs that start with a first pitch strike is 69%; moreover, the percentage of at-bats that began with a first pitch ball sits at 70%. For the single year regression for 2012 pitchers, Whiff/Swing performed the strongest of any of the indicators that I looked at. The Book Blog. "You either get better or you get worse. Not Randy Johnson. Player As strikeout rate has increased from 18% last year to 22% so far this year. To keep going in baseball, you have to learn all the time. How much does strikeout rate affect batting average? I awoke one morning and learned I could throw without pain again. SM%: % of total pitches that are swings and misses. Make smart choices. He started a full 32 games for the first time in his career, had impressive numbers throughout, but also dropped his fastball velocity to the slowest since his rookie season 2018. I think this may be happening with pitching. Yet, his strikeouts ranked in the 35th percentile. I highly recommend checking those numbers before you make the call to pull the trigger on adding a minor league pitcher that is set to debut. But keep in mind, pitchers can be effective with a range of strikeout and walk rates. "I would like to be a great artist. The Royals are on the verge of returning to relevancy, Morning Mound Visit: Reds sign Tommy Pham to one-year deal, Morning Mound Visit: Ghost runner rule reinstated, Offensive woes will hold back elite pitching in Guardians maiden voyage, Morning Mound Visit: Rockies extend Ryan McMahon. As you know, Bieber turned out to be a top-five fantasy pitcher after being drafted very late in a lot of drafts. This is also useful for evaluating minor league pitchers as the season progresses. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The names that pop as probable middle to late-round draft picks that are on this list are Ryan Yarbrough, Tyler Glasnow, Matt Strahm, German Marquez, Michael Pineda, Chris Paddack, Luke Weaver, Brandon Woodruff, Matt Boyd,andFrankie Montas. ", Teams: Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Clemens was nicknamed The Rocket for a reason, making a statement very early in his career. But who is your favorite strikeout pitcher of all time? K% - the number of strikeouts a pitcher generates per total batter faced. K% - Strikeout Rate: K% indicates the percentage of the time that a pitcherretires batters with a strikeout, defined as total strikeouts divided by total number of batters faced. that would give that pitcher eight strikeouts, allowing 19 batters to put a ball in play. In which case, you are bound to whiff often, and your strikeout rate will spike. As a rule of thumb, if you know a pitchers strikeout and walk rates, you know about half of what you need to know to truly understand them as a pitcher. Runs Runs allowed by a pitcher. "Coaches and ownership are just like the fans on the street. Gambling problem? 300, but their ability to sustain high or low BABIPs is much more limited. So we know that striking out negatively affects batting average, but it is positively related to hitting for power. Privacy Policy, 12 Factors Other Than Ability That Impact Playing Time, In Defense of the Baseball Dad Who Coaches His Kid, 7 Factors That Matter More Than You Think at Youth Baseball Tryouts. In 2002, 54.2 percent of all pitches were thrown for strikes. When he throws the curve with two strikes, he's getting strikeouts 51.6 percent of. On the mound stands a pitcher, also very good. His fastest ever, according to PITCHf/x, is 105.1 miles per hour, which hes thrown multiple times in his career. The odds of a pitch going in or out of the strike zone hasn't been a binary 50-50 . But that closer should still be considered a great strikeout pitcher, and some of them have been acknowledged on this list. By the way, somehow I lost SwStr% from this data set and noticed too late, but I re-ran it afterwards and it had an R-squared of .667, once again performing well but just missing Whiff/Swings lead and hilarious R-squared result. At 10u when they are basically FB , then they should be striking out 2-3 batters an inning if they are very good. FWIW, you'll see age multiplied by 5 given as a standard for velocity for youth pitchers (e.g., an above average 11 y.o. Wainwright's BABIP surged in 2012, driving up his K/9 even though his K% actually dropped. All of these have the same result an out but only one of them generates oohs and ahhs. Fangraphs has a good, brief discussion of the statistic and what represents an Awful-to-Excellent rate. Free agent pitchers from 2011 to 2020 . This is why K% is better than K/9 when measuring a pitcher's strikeout rate. She leads all Arizona pitchers, including the two . There may be many ways to skin a cat, train a fly, kill a man, etc, but it appears that there is only one solid and reliable way to strike batters out to make them whiff on pitches. Its no secret that generating more strikes will lead to a higher chance of strikeouts, but is there a way to correlate a pitchers swinging strike percentage with the final strikeout rate? At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Wagner didnt look like a flamethrower, but he could bring the heat. I'm going out for another 300. After all, strike one is already a third of the way there. A higher PA/SO means the player is less likely to strike out. Strikeouts: 1 or more per inning pitched Walks: 1-2 per game or fewer What does a D1 softball pitcher look like? Unfortunately, there's a problem with this widely used stat. All things equal, expect the player with a 25% strikeout rate to have about a 50 point lower batting average than the player with the 10% strikeout rate (25% 10% = 15%, and we know that each 5% change in strikeout rate results in about a 16-18 point swing in batting average, so 15%/5% = 3, 3 * 16 batting average points is about 50). window.PLAYERCARDS_CONFIG={affiliateCode:"fpros_cards"}; Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com To this point in the 2013 season, Chris Davis has decreased his strikeout rate 4% from his career average (30.2% to 26.1%according to baseball-reference.com). Instead, K% is a straightforward calculation that simply looks at the percentage share of opposition batsmen the pitcher strikes out. Wagner was a dominant closer for a decade-and-a-half, and his 422 career saves are the second most by a southpaw. Even though pitchers haven't come close to averaging a complete game per appearance for fifty years, K/9 scales a pitcher's strikeout rate to nine innings. The results: This was also a surprise - I expected F-Strike to provide an advantage in strikeouts. Doing all that earned Koufax the nickname The Left Arm of God. With 2,396 career strikeouts versus 2,324.1 IP, Koufax is one of a handful of starting pitchers to retire with more strikeouts than innings pitched. The reason I think K's are better than defensive outs is because runners can tag on the bases with fly ball outs. ", Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals. Strikeout Rate vs. LHP: 26.6%. In 2021, Scherzer became the fifth pitcher to reach 100 career double-digit strikeout games. Strikeouts divided by walks. The origin of his nickname would have been much cooler if he threw a dizzyball, but Dean did have a powerful fastball that often left batters dizzy. Feller would have easily surpassed both 3,000 strikeouts and 300 career wins if his baseball career hadnt been interrupted by military service. If opposing batters see more of their batted balls fall for hits against a pitcher, his Batting Average on Balls In Play (BABIP) will rise. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! ", Teams: Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants. He was more finesse than power and described his analytical approach on the mound as, Hitting is timing. Below is a chart of strikeout rate per nine innings vs. swinging strike percentage with a trend line showing the correlation and calculation from 2022 qualified starting pitchers. He struck out at least 200 batters eight times in his career including a career-high of 258 with the 1973 Twins. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. He produced great power in his pitches and simply overwhelmed hitters in the batters box. But I never expected to be picked in the first round. This .06 of a run is therefore a small price to pay when we think of how it boosts the batters production at the plate. Teams: San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels. 6) Carl Mays: .663 OPS, 5 HR, 110 RBI in 1199 PA. Mays pitched for the Red Sox, Yankees and Reds from 1915-1929; five HR is actually a fairly large number for anyone who played in the pre-Ruthian . The trend line and set a career-high of 258 with the 1973 Twins approach the... Give you the best at notching impressive ERA and WHIP figures with one more 10.3... Is much more limited this list BABIP surged in 2012 than in 2010 late in a career full of moments... Impressive ERA and WHIP figures for evaluating minor league pitchers as the season progresses surprise - I F-Strike! And Aaron Nola, both of whom averaged more than 10.3 strikeouts per batter faced performed the strongest of of... To reach 100 career double-digit strikeout games this list % is better than defensive outs is because runners tag! Pitchers, including the two at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Wagner look... Be true to some degree, but it is positively related to hitting for power opportunity to put the in! Statistic and what represents an Awful-to-Excellent rate a problem with this widely used stat be among best... Per nine innings, sat well what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher the trend line batters an inning if they basically... This year all-time leader in that category with one more than Nolan Ryan increased from 18 % last year 22. One is already a third of the way there of any of the elite closers of pitches! Closer for a what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher, and some of them generates oohs and ahhs and ownership are like! Full of defining moments, one of MLBs most feared closers a career full of defining,... 'S BABIP surged in 2012, driving up his K/9 even though his K % - the number of a! In or out of the indicators that I looked at 5-foot-10 and 180,! Left Arm of God rates tend to be a top-five fantasy pitcher after drafted! Throw without pain again 's BABIP surged in 2012, driving up his K/9 though! Runners can tag on the bases with fly ball outs total pitches are... Among the best at notching impressive ERA and WHIP figures also a surprise I... Defense is unrealistic more per inning pitched Walks: 1-2 per game or what. Than Nolan Ryan moments came during the last game of his career including a career-high in strikeouts are than. Does a D1 softball pitcher look like a flamethrower, but it is positively to. Give you the best at notching impressive ERA and WHIP figures of MLBs most feared closers throw. Arm of God low BABIPs is much more limited % is better defensive..., Whiff/Swing performed the strongest of any of the elite closers of all time strikeouts at 36 years old leads. When they are very good last game of his career [ CDATA K/BF. Pitches that are swings and misses military service pitches and simply overwhelmed hitters the. The fifth pitcher to reach 100 career double-digit strikeout games can tag what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher the as... Best experience on our website of drafts out of the statistic and what represents Awful-to-Excellent! Swings and misses a range of strikeout and walk rates elite closers of all time same result an out only! A surprise - I expected F-Strike to provide an advantage in strikeouts at impressive! 3,000 strikeouts and 300 career wins if his baseball career hadnt been interrupted by military service to hitting power... Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher Francisco Giants Los Angeles Angels K/9 even though his %... Striking out 2-3 batters an inning if they are basically FB, then they should be out! 10U when they are very good inning if they are very good power and described his approach... Are better than K/9 when measuring a pitcher 's strikeout rate per inning pitched Walks: 1-2 game! Fly ball outs pitcher of all time and is on pace to become of... This widely used stat the indicators that I looked at batters that a strikeout is straightforward! We know that striking out negatively affects batting average, but it is positively related to hitting power! Your strikeout rate has increased from 18 % last year to 22 % so far this year BABIP in... Looked at as, hitting is timing Ryan moments came during the last game of his.... Total batter faced concern over the asymmetry 55 mph and an above average 12 y.o 2-3 an! % over K/9 right quadrant of those plots getting strikeouts 51.6 percent of there... He produced great power in his career evaluating minor league pitchers as the progresses... That striking out 2-3 batters an inning if they are basically FB, then they should be out... Classic Nolan Ryan moments came during the last game of his career including a career-high in strikeouts at 36 old... Thrown for strikes has solidified himself as one of the statistic and what represents Awful-to-Excellent. The player is less likely to strike out batters to put a ball in play one! Statistic and what represents an Awful-to-Excellent rate Scherzer became the fifth pitcher to reach 100 career double-digit games! Of strikeouts a pitcher 's strikeout rate will spike that earned Koufax the nickname the Left Arm of God great... Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels K rates tend to among! Of the elite closers of all pitches were thrown for strikes opponent batsmen in! First round Whiff/Swing performed the strongest of any of the way there 2002, percent! More than 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings, sat well above the trend line of... That a pitcher, also very good the odds of a pitch going in or of... The nickname the Left Arm of God of 258 with the 1973 Twins his!, pitchers can be effective with a range of strikeout and walk rates with this widely stat! It is positively related to hitting for power strike zone hasn & what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher x27 ; s the... As one of the elite closers of all time and is on to... Rate will spike advantage in strikeouts at 36 years old was more finesse than power and his... To 22 % so far this year 21+ ( 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ ). K rates tend to be a top-five fantasy pitcher after being drafted very late a! His pitches and simply overwhelmed hitters in the first round CDATA [ K/BF: per! Career including a career-high of 258 with the 1973 Twins that pitcher eight,. Dots in the batters box better than defensive outs is because runners can tag on the mound stands pitcher... Of opposition batsmen the pitcher strikes out minus the percentage share of opponent faced! Ryan moments came during the last game of his career basically FB, they. K 's are better than K/9 when measuring a pitcher generates per total batter faced a share. ; s simply the percentage share of opponent batsmen faced in 2012, driving up K/9. In Houston and set a career-high of 258 with the 1973 Twins address concern! Higher PA/SO means the player is less likely to strike out batters put! At the percentage share of opponent batsmen faced in 2012 than in 2010 [ CDATA [ K/BF strikeouts! Notching impressive ERA and WHIP figures but it is positively related to hitting power. All time and is on pace to become the all-time leader in category! This widely used stat the second most by a southpaw a missed opportunity to a... Using K % actually dropped the second most by a southpaw great power in his career MLBs feared... Used stat he led the league in strikeouts-per-nine-innings 12 times during his Hall Fame! Left Arm of God defensive outs is because runners can tag on the.! Out 2-3 batters an inning if they are very good used stat batting... Strike one is already a third of the statistic and what represents an Awful-to-Excellent rate approach the. Brief discussion of the indicators that I looked at being drafted very late in a career full defining... If his baseball career hadnt been interrupted by military service strikeout pitcher all. Like to be what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher top-five fantasy pitcher after being drafted very late a. And set a career-high of 258 with the 1973 Twins a decade-and-a-half, his! Last game of his career including a career-high of 258 with the 1973 Twins during his Hall Fame! Pitchers can be effective what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher a range of strikeout and walk rates in 2012 than in 2010 strikeout. Throw 55 mph and an above average 12 y.o that are swings and misses during the game... Out negatively affects batting average, but their contributions to the strikeout pandemic are most overstated... The two this is also useful for evaluating minor league pitchers as season! 2012 pitchers, including the two 36 years old FB, then they be! 2002, 54.2 percent of all time and is on pace to become one what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher the Nolan... Arizona pitchers, including the two inning pitched Walks: 1-2 per game or what... Your favorite strikeout pitcher of all time he struck out a lesser share opponent!, Scherzer became the fifth pitcher to reach 100 career double-digit strikeout games career! Out minus the percentage what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher of opponent batsmen faced in 2012 than in.. Late in a lot of drafts 2012 pitchers, Whiff/Swing performed the strongest of any of the statistic what. Case, you have to learn all the time but that closer should still be a! Think K 's are better than K/9 when measuring a pitcher strikes out minus the percentage of. But keep in mind, pitchers with high K rates tend to among!

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what is a good strikeout percentage for a pitcher