Most effective 4th pitch?

[Pesan915]

I have nasty closer for the Marlins and I am a month into my AA career and would like to add a 4th pitch. I currently have Running fastball, Circle change and Cutter, all 3 pitches VERY effective for RH & LH hitters. From your experience whats another pitch I can add to make my closer more dominant? No Knuckleballs please. Is not really realistic when my guy throws 98 MPH.

Thanks in advance fellas.

[krmarks]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

Probably a slider, or if you want to be different, a 12-6 curve or splitfinger might be fun. Test them out with a player in exhibition and see what you like more.

[Pesan915]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

Probably a slider, or if you want to be different, a 12-6 curve or splitfinger might be fun. Test them out with a player in exhibition and see what you like more.

Yeah I'm thinking the slider might be more devastating. Thanks bud.

[DirrtySouth78]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I added a splitter to my SP and it is devastating. I get guys to chase it and get called 3rd strikes with it as well. I also get alot of DP grounders with it. As long as your guy don't hang it too much its a great pitch.

I use classic pitching BTW, so not sure how effective it would be with other pitching methods

[Pesan915]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I added a splitter to my SP and it is devastating. I get guys to chase it and get called 3rd strikes with it as well. I also get alot of DP grounders with it. As long as your guy don't hang it too much its a great pitch.

I use classic pitching BTW, so not sure how effective it would be with other pitching methods

I've been debating to add a Splitter as well, but not sure if its similar to the Circle-Change I already have as well since they both drop.

[sherrane]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I have nasty closer for the Marlins and I am a month into my AA career and would like to add a 4th pitch. I currently have Running fastball, Circle change and Cutter, all 3 pitches VERY effective for RH & LH hitters. From your experience whats another pitch I can add to make my closer more dominant? No Knuckleballs please. Is not really realistic when my guy throws 98 MPH.

Thanks in advance fellas.

I would consider a 12-6 curve or something else that breaks straight down for when a double play is needed. It sounds as if you have two strikeout pitches and you try to get grounders with the circle change.

[1stpitchhacker]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I'd go with something that moves more sideways rather than down. You already have a change up.

[kehlis]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I'd go with something that moves more sideways rather than down. You already have a change up.

To that end though, if he were to add a split, he would have two pitches that look the same, both go down but at different speeds.

Could make it really hard to read.

[Pesan915]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

Are you a right handed or left handed pitcher? That would impact my decision, though I think I would suggest a slider either way.

I'm a right handed pitcher.

I would consider a 12-6 curve or something else that breaks straight down for when a double play is needed. It sounds as if you have two strikeout pitches and you try to get grounders with the circle change.

Exactly! This is not a bad idea, although a lot of times those 12-6 might be trouble. Example, leave it hanging or throw it on the ground and catcher not blocking it. Do hitters usually chase it? The Running fastball and Cutter are exceptional pitches and can get a lot of misses and strikeouts. For example on a RH with 2 strikes I can either throw the cutter in the outside corner and they usually chase it or throw the same hitter an iside Running fastball which works the same as a cutter but it runs towards them. Awesome pitches.

[1stpitchhacker]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

To that end though, if he were to add a split, he would have two pitches that look the same, both go down but at different speeds.

Could make it really hard to read.

Great point!

[Pesan915]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

Yeah thats a good idea too. Thus far I'm either going with slider or splitter! I'm try it out with other pitchers and see which one I like best.

[nflman2033]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

Yeah thats a good idea too. Thus far I'm either going with slider or splitter! I'm try it out with other pitchers and see which one I like best.

Slider, I wish all pitchers had a slider

[jewdago]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I'd counter by saying that a curve or sweeping curve would give you a fourth speed, one much slower than any of your four other pitches.

A giant curveball paired with a flaming fastball is devastating.

[Pesan915]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I'd counter by saying that a curve or sweeping curve would give you a fourth speed, one much slower than any of your four other pitches.

A giant curveball paired with a flaming fastball is devastating.

So you're referring to a 12-6 curveball?

[Bobhead]

Re: Most effective 4th pitch?

I'm a big fan of the horizontal 2-Seam Fastball, and an even bigger fan of the combination of Cutter and 2-Seamer

both pitches travel at the exact same speed, but break in literally opposite directions.

I can't remember which pitcher but one of my Starting Pitchers (Mets) have both pitches. It just works so well for me.