MLB Pitcher Similarity

Input Help

This input box is for you to enter in your average fastball metrics. Each of these metrics will be used to calculate how similar your fastball moves to an MLB pitcher.
How can you compare a high school pitcher, lets say, and an MLB pitcher? Well, that is done using Bauer Units (Spin Rate / Velocity) which is a way to normalize velocity so you can better compare pitcher will lower velocities to those with higher velocity.

Legend Details

The different colors highlighted below represent different pitch types

Fourseam Fastball
Generally thrown with backspin
For right handed throwers, horizontal break will be positive
For left handed throwers, horizontal break will be negative
Will usually have a positive vertical break between 10in and 20in

Sinker (Twoseam Fastball)
Similar to a fourseam fastball, except it breaks more to the arm side
Will have more horizontal break (away from zero) and less vertical break than a fourseam fastball

Cut Fastball
Similar to a normal fastball, but breaks to the glove side (more negative for righties and positive for lefties)
Also generally has less vertical break

Changeup
Looks like a fastball, but usually slower
Generally a lot less positive vertical break, with also more horizontal break

Slider
Can be a lot of different values, but will always have a lower vertical break than fastball
The horizontal break will be more negative for righties, and more positive for lefties

Curveball
Has topspin, usually a lot of negative vertical break
Will have some horizontal break as well (positive for lefties, negative for righties)

Knuckle Curveball
Basically the same as curveball just thrown a little differently

Split fastball
Moves similarlly as a changeup, generally has very little spin causing it to drop

Pitch Types/Usages by Count

This chart encodes a lot of data, but paints a really cool picture.

Pie Chart Sizes

The relative diameters of the pie charts are proportional to how often the pitcher ends up in that count relative to the others. The most frequent will always be 0-0 as every at bat starts there. Pitchers that tend to throw more strikes will end up in more 0-1, 0-2, 1-2 counts and those circles will be bigger.

Pie Chart Colors

Each pie chart encodes how often a pitch is thrown for that specific count. Some counts the pitcher is an advantageous position, so the pitch frequencies will be different than when the hitter is at the advantage.

Connecting Edges

Each edge's size is also a frequency. The more frequent a pitcher throws a strike or ball in any given count, the larger the edge will be connecting it to the next count (either with an extra strike or an extra ball depending on the result).

Pitch Movement Profiles

This maps all of a pitchers pitches on a horizontal/vertical movement chart. This gives a good total picture of a pitcher's arsenal, as the best pitchers tend to have the greatest separation between all of their pitches. This chart is similar to the one in the input box, except it includes the movement profiles for all of their pitches.

Pitch Locations

This chart shows all of a pitcher's pitches thrown for a specific pitch type in 2020. This helps get a good idea of where the pitcher likes to throw a specific pitch, and can help a pitcher decide where in the zone they should throw a certain pitch.

Horizontal Movement (in)

Vertical Movement (in)

Spin Rate (RPM)

Velocity (mph)

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