Know Your Averages 2024, Slider Edition

In the 2024 season, the author analyzed fastball performance metrics for various pitchers, highlighting Aroldis Chapman’s dominant sinker and Jake Woodford’s struggles with swinging strikes. Moving beyond fastballs, the author examined breaking and offspeed pitches, particularly sliders, and compared their performance metrics such as zone percentage, swing percentage, and swinging strike percentage. The analysis was based on data from Alex Chamberlain’s Pitch Leaderboard. The author referenced previous articles by Ben Clemens on sliders to provide further context. Specific pitchers, like Yu Darvish, Max Fried, and Chris Flexen, were discussed in detail regarding their slider performance and adjustments. Questions and comments were raised regarding the usage and effectiveness of sliders for pitchers like Mitchell Parker, Graham Ashcraft, and Max Scherzer. The analysis highlighted the importance of understanding each pitcher’s pitch arsenal and performance metrics to evaluate their effectiveness on the mound. Williams’ sweeper pitch outperformed his slider with a 45.9% Whiff%, .179 wOBA, and 13.6% HardHit%, suggesting potential late-career success. However, his fastball struggled, and luck may have influenced his 2024 results, making a repeat performance in 2025 unlikely. Other pitchers like Cole Irvin and Strider showcased variations in slider performance, emphasizing the complexity of evaluating slider effectiveness and the impact of pitch movement on hitter behavior.

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