When it comes to velocity and a vast menu of pitch shapes, hitting in the major leagues has never been harder than it is today.
In just the past 10 years, the average four-seam fastball velocity has shot up from 93.2 mph to 94.8 mph, giving hitters less time to react. Simultaneously, hitters have more pitch types to decipher in the literal eyeblink it takes to decide to swing. Despite increased velocity, fastball use (four-seamers, sinkers and cutters) has dropped from 61.5% in 2016 to 54.8% this year.
