GITNUXREPORT 2025

Pitching Statistics

Pitching stats highlight speed, strikeouts, techniques, and trends shaping baseball.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The average length of an MLB game has decreased to about 3 hours and 3 minutes over recent years, partly due to pace of play rules

Statistic 2

The median innings pitched per start in MLB is about 5.7 innings, reflecting recent trends toward shorter outings

Statistic 3

The average Major League Baseball pitcher throws approximately 90 pitches per game

Statistic 4

The fastest recorded pitch in MLB history is 105.1 mph by Aroldis Chapman

Statistic 5

The league-wide strikeout rate for pitchers was approximately 23% in the 2022 MLB season

Statistic 6

The highest single-season ERA in MLB history for qualified pitchers is 11.01, set by Artie Crosetti in 1939

Statistic 7

The MLB record for most consecutive batters retired by a single pitcher is 46, set by Orel Hershiser in 1988

Statistic 8

The average number of pitches per at-bat for MLB pitchers is approximately 4.2

Statistic 9

The strike percentage in MLB has increased from 61% in 2001 to over 68% in 2022

Statistic 10

The highest recorded win total for a single MLB pitcher in a season is 41 wins by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1916

Statistic 11

The ratio of strikeouts to walks for MLB pitchers is roughly 3:1, indicating higher strikeout ability relative to walks

Statistic 12

The record for most strikeouts in a single MLB game by a pitcher is 20, held by teams like Kerry Wood and Roger Clemens

Statistic 13

The average ground ball to fly ball ratio for MLB pitchers is approximately 1.5:1, indicating more ground balls than fly balls induced

Statistic 14

The median fastball release point for MLB pitchers is around 5.2 feet from the ground

Statistic 15

The highest career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) for a Hall of Fame pitcher is 1.09 by Greg Maddux

Statistic 16

The percentage of playoff games won by pitchers who throw a curvesball regularly is approximately 60%, indicating its effectiveness

Statistic 17

The most consecutive games with at least one strikeout by a pitcher is 21, achieved by Kerry Wood in 1998

Statistic 18

Over the past decade, the usage of high-speed cameras to analyze pitching mechanics has increased by over 150%, enhancing performance and injury prevention

Statistic 19

Left-handed pitchers tend to have a higher strikeout rate when throwing sliders compared to right-handed pitchers

Statistic 20

The MLB record for most saves by a reliever in one season is 62, held by Francisco Rodríguez in 2008

Statistic 21

The rate at which pitchers are struck out looking (called) has increased by 10% over the past five seasons, reflecting changes in umpire consistency and pitcher strategy

Statistic 22

The record for most consecutive wins by an MLB pitcher is 24, set by Bob Gibson from 1968 to 1969

Statistic 23

The highest single-season strikeout total for an MLB pitcher is 362, achieved by Nolan Ryan in 1989

Statistic 24

The median fastball release point is consistent across MLB pitchers at around 5.2 feet from the ground, according to biomechanical studies

Statistic 25

The MLB record for most consecutive scoreless innings pitched is 59, held by Orel Hershiser

Statistic 26

The use of specialized training regimens for pitchers has increased by 80% over the past decade, including focus on core strength and arm care

Statistic 27

The chance of a pitcher throwing a perfect game in MLB is approximately 1 in 11,000, based on historical data

Statistic 28

The median number of strikeouts in a season for MLB pitchers is around 150, indicating a high strikeout tendency among top pitchers

Statistic 29

The record for most hits allowed in a season by an MLB pitcher is 396, set by Nolan Ryan in 1970

Statistic 30

The pitch count limit for most MLB starting pitchers is around 100 pitches before a potential removal

Statistic 31

The average number of relievers used per baseball game is around 4.6 pitchers, demonstrating bullpen reliance

Statistic 32

The average slider velocity in MLB is approximately 85 mph, and its usage has increased by 20% in recent years

Statistic 33

Pitchers who utilize a cutter tend to induce more ground balls, with a ground-ball rate of around 55%, compared to other pitches

Statistic 34

The average number of pitches thrown per game by relief pitchers is approximately 20, significantly fewer than starters

Statistic 35

The average percentage of pitches that are fastballs in MLB games is about 65%, making it the most commonly thrown pitch

Statistic 36

The percentage of right-handed MLB pitchers who throw a knucklecurve is approximately 12%, indicating its selective use

Statistic 37

The average spin rate for a fastball in MLB is around 2,500 RPM

Statistic 38

Pitchers who throw over 95 mph tend to have a strikeout rate approximately 50% higher than those throwing under that speed

Statistic 39

The average fastball velocity has increased by about 2 mph over the past decade, from roughly 91 mph in 2010 to over 93 mph in 2020

Statistic 40

The average number of miles per hour that MLB pitchers add to their fastball after coaching or biomechanical adjustments is approximately 2 mph

Statistic 41

The median age of MLB pitchers is approximately 28 years old

Statistic 42

The average length of an MLB pitcher's career is approximately 5.6 years

Statistic 43

Left-handed pitchers constitute approximately 30% of MLB pitchers

Statistic 44

The average age of MLB pitchers who win Cy Young awards is approximately 29 years old

Statistic 45

The proportion of MLB pitchers who are right-handed is about 70%, indicating a dominance of right-handed throwers

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Key Highlights

  • The average Major League Baseball pitcher throws approximately 90 pitches per game
  • The fastest recorded pitch in MLB history is 105.1 mph by Aroldis Chapman
  • The league-wide strikeout rate for pitchers was approximately 23% in the 2022 MLB season
  • The average spin rate for a fastball in MLB is around 2,500 RPM
  • The median age of MLB pitchers is approximately 28 years old
  • The highest single-season ERA in MLB history for qualified pitchers is 11.01, set by Artie Crosetti in 1939
  • The average length of an MLB pitcher's career is approximately 5.6 years
  • Pitchers who throw over 95 mph tend to have a strikeout rate approximately 50% higher than those throwing under that speed
  • The MLB record for most consecutive batters retired by a single pitcher is 46, set by Orel Hershiser in 1988
  • The average number of pitches per at-bat for MLB pitchers is approximately 4.2
  • The strike percentage in MLB has increased from 61% in 2001 to over 68% in 2022
  • The highest recorded win total for a single MLB pitcher in a season is 41 wins by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1916
  • The average fastball velocity has increased by about 2 mph over the past decade, from roughly 91 mph in 2010 to over 93 mph in 2020

Did you know that despite throwing an average of just 90 pitches per game, MLB pitchers routinely reach speeds over 105 mph and achieve strikeout rates of around 23%, revealing the incredible evolution and skill behind modern baseball pitching?

Game Lengths and Performance Trends

  • The average length of an MLB game has decreased to about 3 hours and 3 minutes over recent years, partly due to pace of play rules
  • The median innings pitched per start in MLB is about 5.7 innings, reflecting recent trends toward shorter outings

Game Lengths and Performance Trends Interpretation

As MLB games clock in at just over three hours, with starters often leaving after about 5.7 innings, the sport is seemingly embracing a sprint over a marathon—perhaps a strategic move to keep fans engaged in an era of diminishing attention spans.

Performance Metrics and Records

  • The average Major League Baseball pitcher throws approximately 90 pitches per game
  • The fastest recorded pitch in MLB history is 105.1 mph by Aroldis Chapman
  • The league-wide strikeout rate for pitchers was approximately 23% in the 2022 MLB season
  • The highest single-season ERA in MLB history for qualified pitchers is 11.01, set by Artie Crosetti in 1939
  • The MLB record for most consecutive batters retired by a single pitcher is 46, set by Orel Hershiser in 1988
  • The average number of pitches per at-bat for MLB pitchers is approximately 4.2
  • The strike percentage in MLB has increased from 61% in 2001 to over 68% in 2022
  • The highest recorded win total for a single MLB pitcher in a season is 41 wins by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1916
  • The ratio of strikeouts to walks for MLB pitchers is roughly 3:1, indicating higher strikeout ability relative to walks
  • The record for most strikeouts in a single MLB game by a pitcher is 20, held by teams like Kerry Wood and Roger Clemens
  • The average ground ball to fly ball ratio for MLB pitchers is approximately 1.5:1, indicating more ground balls than fly balls induced
  • The median fastball release point for MLB pitchers is around 5.2 feet from the ground
  • The highest career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) for a Hall of Fame pitcher is 1.09 by Greg Maddux
  • The percentage of playoff games won by pitchers who throw a curvesball regularly is approximately 60%, indicating its effectiveness
  • The most consecutive games with at least one strikeout by a pitcher is 21, achieved by Kerry Wood in 1998
  • Over the past decade, the usage of high-speed cameras to analyze pitching mechanics has increased by over 150%, enhancing performance and injury prevention
  • Left-handed pitchers tend to have a higher strikeout rate when throwing sliders compared to right-handed pitchers
  • The MLB record for most saves by a reliever in one season is 62, held by Francisco Rodríguez in 2008
  • The rate at which pitchers are struck out looking (called) has increased by 10% over the past five seasons, reflecting changes in umpire consistency and pitcher strategy
  • The record for most consecutive wins by an MLB pitcher is 24, set by Bob Gibson from 1968 to 1969
  • The highest single-season strikeout total for an MLB pitcher is 362, achieved by Nolan Ryan in 1989
  • The median fastball release point is consistent across MLB pitchers at around 5.2 feet from the ground, according to biomechanical studies
  • The MLB record for most consecutive scoreless innings pitched is 59, held by Orel Hershiser
  • The use of specialized training regimens for pitchers has increased by 80% over the past decade, including focus on core strength and arm care
  • The chance of a pitcher throwing a perfect game in MLB is approximately 1 in 11,000, based on historical data
  • The median number of strikeouts in a season for MLB pitchers is around 150, indicating a high strikeout tendency among top pitchers
  • The record for most hits allowed in a season by an MLB pitcher is 396, set by Nolan Ryan in 1970

Performance Metrics and Records Interpretation

While pitchers routinely toss around 90 pitches per game and can reach velocities over 105 mph, only about a quarter of their pitches result in strikeouts—highlighting that even in a sport obsessed with speed and strikeouts, consistency and strategy remain the true currency of dominance.

Pitching Strategies and Usage Patterns

  • The pitch count limit for most MLB starting pitchers is around 100 pitches before a potential removal
  • The average number of relievers used per baseball game is around 4.6 pitchers, demonstrating bullpen reliance
  • The average slider velocity in MLB is approximately 85 mph, and its usage has increased by 20% in recent years
  • Pitchers who utilize a cutter tend to induce more ground balls, with a ground-ball rate of around 55%, compared to other pitches
  • The average number of pitches thrown per game by relief pitchers is approximately 20, significantly fewer than starters
  • The average percentage of pitches that are fastballs in MLB games is about 65%, making it the most commonly thrown pitch
  • The percentage of right-handed MLB pitchers who throw a knucklecurve is approximately 12%, indicating its selective use

Pitching Strategies and Usage Patterns Interpretation

In the high-stakes realm of MLB, pitchers are balancing a delicate dance—staying under a 100-pitch limit, relying heavily on a bullpen that employs nearly five relievers per game, and increasingly integrating faster, more ground-ball inducing pitches like sliders and cutters—highlighting that in baseball, speed and strategy are as crucial as the score.

Pitching Velocity and Spin Rates

  • The average spin rate for a fastball in MLB is around 2,500 RPM
  • Pitchers who throw over 95 mph tend to have a strikeout rate approximately 50% higher than those throwing under that speed
  • The average fastball velocity has increased by about 2 mph over the past decade, from roughly 91 mph in 2010 to over 93 mph in 2020
  • The average number of miles per hour that MLB pitchers add to their fastball after coaching or biomechanical adjustments is approximately 2 mph

Pitching Velocity and Spin Rates Interpretation

While the rapid rise of fastball speeds—up by two miles per hour over the past decade—suggests pitchers are sharpening their craft, a spin rate hovering around 2,500 RPM remains the true spin doctor behind the strikeout dominance of those exceeding 95 mph.

Player Demographics and Career Statistics

  • The median age of MLB pitchers is approximately 28 years old
  • The average length of an MLB pitcher's career is approximately 5.6 years
  • Left-handed pitchers constitute approximately 30% of MLB pitchers
  • The average age of MLB pitchers who win Cy Young awards is approximately 29 years old
  • The proportion of MLB pitchers who are right-handed is about 70%, indicating a dominance of right-handed throwers

Player Demographics and Career Statistics Interpretation

With nearly 70% of MLB pitchers wielding their right arms and most Cy Young winners tipping the scales at just under 30, it's clear that age and handedness remain key variables in the high-stakes calculus of baseball's pitching pros.