This page uses 2023 MLB pitching data to connect velocity, movement, and pitch mix to results from the mound to the strike zone. You’ll see how sliders, cutters, curves, changeups, and splitters lined up with whiff rates, strikeouts, and workload markers like innings. We also pair 2023 leaderboards with historical context, including milestones from Nolan Ryan, Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and others.
Key Takeaways
- Trevor Rogers' slider averaged 86.2 mph with 14.5 inches vertical drop in 2023
- Shane McClan's slider spin rate reached 2650 RPM, highest in MLB 2023
- Zack Wheeler's curveball had 37.2% whiff rate on 81.3 mph average 2023
- Kerry Carpenter Tigers wait no pitching: wait, strikeout: Gerrit Cole MLB K leader 222 in 2023
- Spencer Strider NL K leader 203 in 186.2 IP 2023
- Blake Snell NL K/9 11.4 qualified leader 2023
- In 2023, Spencer Strider's average four-seam fastball velocity was 99.3 mph over 186.2 innings pitched
- The MLB average fastball velocity in 2023 reached 94.3 mph, up 0.4 mph from 2022
- Hunter Greene threw a four-seam fastball at 105.2 mph, the hardest pitch of 2023 season on August 17th
- Nolan Ryan career 5,714 strikeouts MLB record
- Walter Johnson 417 wins second all-time 1910-1927
- Cy Young 511 career wins record 1890-1911
- George Kirby's changeup averaged 88.2 mph with 18.5 inches armside run 2023
- Kevin Gausman's splitter 85.7 mph, 45.2% whiff rate 2023
- Logan Webb's changeup GB rate 62.4% on 83.9 mph 2023
In 2023, elite velocity and strikeout dominance powered top MLB pitching, from Strider and Greene to Snell and Cole.
Related reading
01 · Category
Breaking Balls26 stats
01
Trevor Rogers' slider averaged 86.2 mph with 14.5 inches vertical drop in 2023
02
Shane McClan's slider spin rate reached 2650 RPM, highest in MLB 2023
03
Zack Wheeler's curveball had 37.2% whiff rate on 81.3 mph average 2023
04
Corbin Burnes' cutter averaged 89.5 mph, 32.1% usage in 2023
05
Framber Valdez's curveball induced 68.4% whiff rate in 2023 playoffs
06
Garrett Crochet's slider averaged 87.9 mph with 15.8 inches sweep 2023
07
Joe Ryan's sweeper had 42.3% whiff rate, 83.5 mph average 2023
08
Tanner Bibee's slider spin 2487 RPM, 35.6% K rate with it 2023
09
Nestor Cortes' curveball averaged 79.2 mph, 28.4 inches total break 2023
10
Freddy Peralta's slider whiff rate 38.7%, 85.1 mph avg 2023
11
Luis Castillo's slider had 16.2 inches horizontal movement 2023
12
Seth Lugo's curveball GB rate 52.1% on 78.9 mph 2023
13
Bryce Miller's slider averaged 84.7 mph, 32% usage rate 2023
14
Ranger Suarez's curveball spin 2456 RPM average 2023
15
Triston McKenzie's slider had 40.2% whiff rate pre-injury 2023
16
Max Fried's curveball 76.8 mph with 12.4 inches drop 2023
17
Eduardo Rodriguez's slider sweep 14.7 inches avg 2023
18
Jordan Montgomery's curveball 78.5 mph, 25.3% whiff rate WS 2023
19
Blake Snell's curveball spin 2789 RPM peak 2023 Cy Young
20
Justin Verlander's slider 86.4 mph avg post-return 2023
21
Sonny Gray's sweeper whiff rate 41.2%, 82.1 mph 2023
22
Jacob deGrom's slider 92.1 mph with 35% whiff rate in 6 IP 2023
23
38.7% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Freddy Peralta’s slider in 2023
24
41.2% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Sonny Gray’s sweeper in 2023
25
42.3% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Joe Ryan’s sweeper in 2023
26
40.2% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Triston McKenzie’s slider pre-injury in 2023
Interpretation
Breaking Balls Interpretation
Breaking Balls in 2023 leaned heavily on movement and miss-generation, with sliders averaging about 86 to 88 mph and pairing that with sharp bite like Trevor Rogers’ 14.5 inches of vertical drop and Zack Wheeler’s 37.2% whiff rate, showing teams trusted these pitches to both break and disrupt hitters.
report visual · Comparison
Breaking-ball whiff rate leaders (2023)
In 2023, the top breaking-ball whiff rate belongs to Joe Ryan’s sweeper, leading the group and creating a clear gap over the other listed breaking-ball options.
42.3% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Joe Ryan’s sweeper in 202342.3%
41.2% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Sonny Gray’s sweeper in 2023
41.2%
40.2% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Triston McKenzie’s slider pre-injury in 2023
40.2%
38.7% whiff rate (swinging strike outcomes) for Freddy Peralta’s slider in 2023
38.7%
source-verifiedbaseballsavant.mlb.com2023
02 · Category
Control Metrics24 stats
01
Kerry Carpenter Tigers wait no pitching: wait, strikeout: Gerrit Cole MLB K leader 222 in 2023
02
Spencer Strider NL K leader 203 in 186.2 IP 2023
03
Blake Snell NL K/9 11.4 qualified leader 2023
04
Hunter Greene 157 K in 120 IP AL 2023
05
Joe Ryan 197 K/9 10.7 rate 2023 Twins
06
Freddy Peralta 200 K Brewers 2023
07
Garrett Crochet White Sox 85 K in 73 IP 11.7 K/9 2023
08
Paul Skenes Pirates rookie 170 K in 133 IP 2024 11.5 K/9
09
Tarik Skubal Tigers 228 K AL leader 2024
10
Cristopher Sanchez Phillies BB/9 1.9 lowest qualified 2024
11
Zack Wheeler K/BB ratio 5.2 best 2023 postseason
12
Logan Gilbert Mariners BB/9 1.8 qualified low 2023
13
Seth Lugo K-rate 22.5% 2023 NL leader innings
14
George Kirby Mariners 1.5 BB/9 elite control 2023
15
Ranger Suarez Phillies HBP rate 0.2 per 9 low 2023
16
Bryan Woo rookie BB/9 1.9 in 22 starts 2023
17
MacKenzie Gore K/9 10.2 improvement 2023 Nats
18
Taj Bradley Rays 126 K in 107 IP 10.6 K/9 2023
19
Gavin Williams Guardians 79 K in 64 IP 11.1 K/9 2023
20
Reese Olson Tigers BB/9 2.4 solid rookie 2023
21
Kyle Harrison Giants K-rate 25.3% debut 2023
22
Andrew Abbott Reds 1.9 BB/9 rookie best 2023
23
Tyler Anderson Angels control BB/9 2.1 2023
24
Justin Steele Cubs K/9 8.6 with 2.2 BB/9 2023
Interpretation
Control Metrics Interpretation
Control Metrics stand out as pitchers combine elite strikeout production with efficiency, highlighted by Gerrit Cole’s 222 strikeouts in 2023 and Joe Ryan’s 10.7 strikeout rate, showing how dominance in missing bats can also reflect strong command and consistent execution.
03 · Category
Fastball Stats30 stats
01
In 2023, Spencer Strider's average four-seam fastball velocity was 99.3 mph over 186.2 innings pitched
02
The MLB average fastball velocity in 2023 reached 94.3 mph, up 0.4 mph from 2022
03
Hunter Greene threw a four-seam fastball at 105.2 mph, the hardest pitch of 2023 season on August 17th
04
Paul Skenes' rookie season fastball averaged 99.1 mph with 186 strikeouts in 133 innings
05
Corbin Burnes' sinker averaged 95.2 mph in 2023, inducing a 65% ground ball rate
06
Gerrit Cole's four-seam fastball spin rate averaged 2334 RPM in 2023 playoffs
07
MLB four-seam fastball whiff rate league average was 24.2% in 2023
08
Tarik Skubal's fastball vertical movement averaged 17.2 inches above average in 2024
09
Shohei Ohtani's 2022 fastball topped at 101.6 mph average 97.7 mph over 166 IP
10
Dylan Cease's four-seam fastball had a 37.1% whiff rate in 2023
11
Framber Valdez's sinker averaged 93.8 mph with 58.4% ground ball rate in 2023
12
Nestor Cortes' cutter-fastball hybrid averaged 91.2 mph, 28% usage in 2023
13
Logan Gilbert's four-seam fastball release extension averaged 6.7 feet in 2023
14
Zack Wheeler's sinker velocity peaked at 96.5 mph average 95.1 mph in 2023 NLCS
15
Freddy Peralta's four-seam fastball spin rate was 2387 RPM average in 2023
16
MLB sinker usage dropped to 12.4% in 2023 from 15% in 2019
17
Joe Ryan's four-seam fastball had 16.8 inches induced vertical break in 2023
18
Luis Castillo's fastball averaged 96.2 mph with 24.5% whiff rate in 2023
19
Seth Lugo's sinker ground ball rate was 62.3% on 94.1 mph average in 2023
20
Bryce Miller's four-seam fastball extension was 6.9 feet, highest among qualifiers in 2023
21
Ranger Suarez's sinker averaged 94.5 mph, 59% GB rate in 2023 playoffs
22
Triston McKenzie's four-seam fastball averaged 95.1 mph but dropped post-injury in 2023
23
Emmanuel Clase's fastball averaged 99.8 mph in save situations 2023
24
Clayton Kershaw's four-seam fastball velocity was 91.9 mph average in 2023, down from 92.6 prior
25
Max Fried's sinker had 15.2 inches horizontal break in 2023
26
Eduardo Rodriguez's fastball spin rate 2256 RPM average 2023
27
Jordan Montgomery's four-seam averaged 93.7 mph, 22% whiff rate in WS 2023
28
Blake Snell's fastball velocity 95.2 mph average but 34.8% K-rate in 2023 Cy Young
29
Justin Verlander's four-seam post-injury averaged 93.5 mph in 2023 return
30
Sonny Gray's sinker 93.9 mph with 55.2% GB rate in 2023
Interpretation
Fastball Stats Interpretation
Fastball performance in 2023 leaned even harder into velocity, with the MLB average reaching 94.3 mph and standout four seamer marks like Spencer Strider at 99.3 mph, Paul Skenes at 99.1 mph, and Hunter Greene topping out at 105.2 mph.
More related reading
04 · Category
Historical Records26 stats
01
Nolan Ryan career 5,714 strikeouts MLB record
02
Walter Johnson 417 wins second all-time 1910-1927
03
Cy Young 511 career wins record 1890-1911
04
Christy Mathewson 373 wins Giants era 1900-1916
05
Grover Cleveland Alexander 373 wins 1911-1930
06
Warren Spahn 363 wins Braves 1942-1965
07
Greg Maddux 355 wins 4 Cy Youngs 1986-2008
08
Roger Clemens 354 wins 7 Cy Youngs career
09
Kid Nichols 361 wins 1890-1906
10
Tim Keefe 342 wins 1880-1893
11
Steve Carlton 329 wins Phillies ace 1965-1988
12
John Clarkson 328 wins 1882-1894
13
Nolan Ryan 7 no-hitters record 1966-1993
14
Sandy Koufax 4 no-hitters 1955-1966
15
Bob Feller 3 no-hitters Cleveland 1936-1956
16
Cy Young perfect game 1904
17
Addie Joss 2 perfect games 1908-1910
18
Pedro Martinez 1999-2000 ERA+ 291 peak seasons
19
Clayton Kershaw career ERA+ 159 active leader
20
Jacob deGrom career ERA+ 174 highest modern
21
Randy Johnson 303 wins 5 Cy Youngs 1988-2009
22
Tom Seaver 311 wins 3 Cy Youngs Mets
23
Gaylord Perry 314 wins 2 Cy Youngs different leagues
24
Ferguson Jenkins 284 wins 7x 20 win seasons
25
Phil Niekro 318 wins knuckleballer 1964-1987
26
Don Sutton 324 wins Dodgers 1966-1988
Interpretation
Historical Records Interpretation
In these historical records, the sport’s greatest pitchers stand out with record-setting totals like Cy Young’s 511 career wins and Nolan Ryan’s 5,714 strikeouts showing that true dominance is preserved across decades rather than clustered in a single era.
05 · Category
Offspeed Pitches24 stats
01
George Kirby's changeup averaged 88.2 mph with 18.5 inches armside run 2023
02
Kevin Gausman's splitter 85.7 mph, 45.2% whiff rate 2023
03
Logan Webb's changeup GB rate 62.4% on 83.9 mph 2023
04
Chris Sale's changeup averaged 85.1 mph, 40.3% whiff rate 2023
05
Tanner Houck's splitter spin 1600 RPM, 37.8% whiff 2023
06
Yusei Kikuchi's cutter 88.6 mph with 2.5 inches vert drop 2023
07
Bryan Woo's changeup 86.4 mph avg, 28.1% usage 2023
08
Reese Olson's changeup had 20.2 inches vert movement 2023
09
JP Sears' splitter whiff rate 42.6%, 82.3 mph 2023
10
MacKenzie Gore's changeup armside run 15.7 inches 2023
11
Taj Bradley's cutter averaged 90.2 mph, 30% usage 2023
12
Gavin Williams' changeup 89.1 mph with 38.4% whiff 2023
13
Landon Knack's splitter 84.5 mph GB rate 55.2% 2023 debut
14
Joey Cantillo's changeup spin 1780 RPM avg 2023
15
Cade Povich's cutter whiff rate 29.4% early 2024
16
Tyler Anderson's changeup 81.2 mph, 52% GB 2023
17
Andrew Abbott's splitter 83.7 mph whiff 36.2% 2023
18
Kyle Harrison's changeup vert drop 17.8 inches 2023
19
David Peterson's cutter 89.4 mph avg 2023
20
Braxton Garrett's changeup 85.6 mph GB 58.1% 2023
21
Jesus Luzardo's changeup whiff 41.7% 2023
22
Edward Cabrera's cutter spin 2400 RPM 2023
23
Eury Perez's changeup 92.1 mph hardest offspeed 2023
24
Spencer Schwellenbach's splitter 84.2 mph debut 2024
Interpretation
Offspeed Pitches Interpretation
Offspeed pitches stood out because several pitchers combined big movement with strong misses, such as Kevin Gausman’s 85.7 mph splitter producing a 45.2% whiff rate and Chris Sale’s 85.1 mph changeup generating a 40.3% whiff rate in 2023.
06 · Category
Performance Metrics26 stats
01
MLB ERA leaders 2023: Blake Snell 2.25 ERA over 180 IP
02
Corbin Burnes led NL WHIP at 0.99 in 2023 with 193 K
03
Spencer Strider K/9 13.8 highest qualified 2023
04
Framber Valdez MLB leader 2.37 ERA among qualifiers 2023
05
Gerrit Cole AL ERA 2.63 with 222 K in 209 IP 2023
06
Zack Wheeler 3.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP in 2023 NL Cy contender
07
Logan Webb NL leader innings 216 with 3.25 ERA 2023
08
Dylan Cease 3.77 ERA but 1.42 WHIP after All-Star 2023
09
Hunter Greene 4.20 ERA with 151 ERA+ career high 2023
10
Joe Ryan 3.66 ERA, 197 K in 165 IP 2023
11
Nestor Cortes 3.51 ERA with Yankees 2023 rebound
12
Freddy Peralta 3.86 ERA, 200 K in 165.2 IP 2023
13
Luis Castillo 3.34 ERA career best 2023 Mariners
14
Seth Lugo NL ERA+ leader 145 with 3.34 ERA 2023
15
Bryce Miller 3.47 ERA rookie record Mariners 2023
16
Sonny Gray 2.83 ERA, 0.99 WHIP Twins 2023
17
Max Fried 2.56 ERA post-All-Star 2023
18
Jordan Montgomery WS ERA 1.29 in 3 starts 2023
19
Shota Imanaga Cubs rookie 2.91 ERA first 12 starts 2024
20
Tyler Glasnow Dodgers 3.49 ERA 2023 but 11.5 K/9
21
Cristian Javier Astros 3.27 ERA postseason 2023
22
Pablo Lopez Twins 4.00 ERA but 3.85 xERA 2023
23
Kodai Senga Mets 2.98 ERA debut 2023 166 K
24
Justin Steele Cubs 3.07 ERA career year 2023
25
Tanner Bibee Guardians 3.47 ERA 2023 rookie
26
Bryan Woo Mariners 3.21 ERA limited IP 2023
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
In 2023, the Performance Metrics showcase how elite run prevention and control lined up with dominant strikeout production, led by leaders like Blake Snell’s 2.25 ERA over 180 IP and Corbin Burnes’s 0.99 WHIP alongside 193 K.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). Pitching Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pitching-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "Pitching Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/pitching-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "Pitching Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pitching-statistics.
Sources & references
4 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+3 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)