You’ve heard of the five tools for position players, but what are the tools for pitchers?
Typically, a scout will grade a pitcher’s pitch types, control, and command, along with other attributes. We’ll begin by looking at pitch types.
Pitch Types
Pitchers are judged by velocity, primarily with their fastball, and by the movement or break of each pitch. The important thing for any scout to do in grading pitches is to give a good, complete description of a pitch’s movement, so anyone reading the report can get an accurate idea of what a pitcher throws and how his pitches move. Additionally, it’s important that the numerical grades match the description and quality of break.
While there are few things that are objective when it comes to scouting, one objective measure is fastball velocity. With the surge in velocity among pitchers in today’s game, the average MLB velocity was 93.1 MPH in 2020. The velocity standards for relievers are slightly higher, as they’re not expected to sustain velocity for multiple innings.
The share of fastballs thrown by major league pitchers has now dropped to just about half of all pitches thrown, but it remains important for pitchers to establish their fastball. Fastball movement varies based on the type of fastball being thrown. The best four-seamers are often described to have “life”, which means that they have additional movement or deception based on a number of different factors.
Depending on their hand orientation and arm slot, some pitchers may get more run or even cut on their four-seamers.
Control
Control and command are two distinct tools that are sometimes confused. Control refers to a pitcher’s ability to not walk hitters, or be erratic in the zone. It’s especially marked by a pitcher’s ability to fight back ahead, by going from 1-0 to 1-2, for example. If a pitcher has one or more pitches he can reliably and consistently throw for strikes, that will go a long way in preventing walks and maintaining a high control grade.
Command
Command refers to placing the ball at or near an intended target. It’s a tool more closely associated with strikeouts and limiting hard contact than simply avoiding walks. Command helps pitchers throw to strategic targets and demonstrates the ability to manipulate and work with the break of one’s pitches to different parts of the zone.
Other Attributes
Scouts do not stop there, and grade other attributes when it comes to an entire pitcher’s profile. Some of these are still graded on a 20 to 80 scale, while many are rated on a scale from poor, fair, average, above average, to excellent.
One of the least quantifiable traits is deception. Deception grades rely heavily on a scout’s experience and discerning eye. Some deception is more clear – you can see and measure extension, which causes pitches to appear faster than they are. You can measure and clearly see different arm angles, which may cause discomfort for hitters.
There are many things a pitcher can do to increase deception, such as manipulating timing or delivery or not showing the baseball until it’s nearly out of a pitcher’s hand. Unorthodox deliveries are often associated with deception as well.
Just as with position players, athleticism is important in pitchers too. Athleticism allows pitchers to repeat their deliveries or get into the same position consistently. Athleticism also helps pitchers make adjustments in the game.
Some other attributes graded are: pitchability, feel for one’s repertoire and pitching to the game situation; the delivery, often viewed through its repeatability and ease of effort; arm action, viewed through its fluidity and potential for injury; and mound presence/competitiveness, which looks at a pitcher’s ability to stay composed and aggressive on the mound.
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