This 2023 photo captures Kodai Senga of the New York Mets baseball team, reflecting the active roster as of February 23, 2023. As spring training camps commence, a retrospective on the previous season's best pitches is underway. The focus today is on splitters, a pitch type that excelled in both contact management and bat-missing in 2023.
Among the standout pitchers was RHP Kodai Senga of the Mets, whose forkball received an exceptional grade of A+. Senga's forkball boasted a remarkable 63 Adjusted Contact Score and a 26.7% Whiff Rate, making it the top non-fastball pitch of the year. His ability to induce grounders and pop-ups set him apart from other splitter pitchers.
Another notable pitcher was RHP Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays, who earned a B+ grade for his splitter. Gausman's pitch displayed an 81 Adjusted Contact Score and a 21.3% Whiff Rate, showcasing his consistency in delivering a quality pitch. His high spin rate and unique movement contributed to his success.
While Senga and Gausman stood out, other pitchers like Logan Gilbert and Nathan Eovaldi also performed well with their splitters, earning B+ grades. On the other end of the spectrum, pitchers like Marcus Stroman, Joe Ryan, and Alex Cobb received C grades for their subpar performances in contact management and bat-missing.
In comparison to the 2022 season, Gausman remained a top performer with his splitter, although Senga's emergence as a dominant force reshaped the landscape of splitter pitches in 2023. The diversity in pitching styles, from Senga's soft, low-spin forkball to Gausman's hard, high-spin splitter, highlighted the versatility within the category.
Overall, the 2023 season showcased the prowess of pitchers like Senga and Gausman in mastering the art of throwing splitters, setting a high standard for their peers in the league.
