Let’s take a look at the pitch arsenal numbers from the most effective pitches in baseball through Week 2 of the season. Based on the run value assigned, this metric measures a pitcher’s – and more specifically, a certain pitch’s – ability to effectively impact the game. Early in the season, there will be a logjam atop the standings. But as we progress from week to week, pitchers and pitches will start to contrast more effectively.
10. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers – 4-seam Fastball – RV: 3
This first entry is such an interesting pitch to me. Yamamoto’s low release point, combined with his arm angle, generates a decent amount of induced vertical break (iVB) – 16.4 inches to be exact – making it difficult for hitters to track. And that he’s exceptionally good at locating the pitch makes it all the more effective at putting hitters away (27.8% put-away rate).
9. Max Meyer, Miami Marlins – Slider – RV: 3
Meyer throws one of the hardest gyro-sliders in baseball at nearly 91 MPH, combined with an elite spin rate of 2,570. Meyer’s pitch mix prevents hitters from sitting, making this offering more effective with its extremely tight movement and pitch shape. One of the most effective swing-and-miss pitches in baseball, with a whiff rate of nearly 50% and a put-away % of 34.3.
8. Luis Severino, Athletics – Sinker – RV: 3
In what appears to be a core part of his pitch arsenal, Severino is leaning more heavily on his sinker than he really ever has. Effective at inducing soft contact and ground balls, this pitch plays well with his other offerings – as evidenced by its 30.5% put-away rate. Clocking in at an average of 95.1, with decent spin (2,078) and movement (11.8 iVB and 14.8 iHB), this pitch is fueling Severino’s early success for the Athletics (save for this past Monday – yikes).
7. Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants – 4-seam Fastball – RV: 3
So good to see Robbie Ray back and effective! While his FB is sitting down a few ticks v. career average, the fact that he’s locating it so well is what makes this pitch sing. An elite amount of iVB (18.7 inches) and his willingness to work in an improved changeup (thanks, Tarik) have this offering positioned well through two starts. Oh, and he throws it a ton – 61.1% of the time.
6. Zach Eflin, Baltimore Orioles – Cut Fastball – RV: 4
Another pitch on this list that is currently living on its ability to generate called strikes and ground balls, Eflin’s cutter, has been located well consistently to start 2025. Not quite a fastball and not quite a slider, the pitch runs enough to miss barrels on a regular basis (.111 SLUG against) and is commanded well against both LHB and RHB. It’s been an effective offering in two-strike counts as well, racking up a 27.3% put-away rate.
5. Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds – Slider – RV: 4
Hunter’s first entry on this list is his slider, which feeds off his four-seamer’s effectiveness. He’s effective at locating the pitch on the low, glove-side corner, and its tight break makes it difficult for hitters to barrel up. The pitch has an elite spin rate (2,426) and has developed into one of the most effective put-away pitches in baseball (32.3%). Oh, and batters have yet to get a hit on a single Greene slider this season.
4. Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds – Changeup – RV: 4
Cincinnati pitchers, how about it?!?!?! Lodolo is killing it with this pitch so far, and batters haven’t figured it out just yet (.000 BA and SLUG against). This pitch has incredible fade to it (18.7 inches of iHB) and has been especially effective against RHB. It’s not so much a put-away pitch (10.0%), but it has generated a good amount of weak contact and plays so well with his other offerings (curve, four-seamer). Based on this pitch’s effectiveness, I think it’s safe to say that Lodolo is getting better at disguising his off-speed pitches.
3. Spencer Arrighetti, Houston Astros – 4-seam Fastball – RV: 4
Arrighetti’s four-seamer feasts off a combination of unique arm angle and elite (7.2) extension, which makes this 93.7 MPH fastball seem faster. The release point – almost at his right hip level – disguises all his offerings well and makes it hard for batters to track his pitches. Oh, and his 15.1 inches of iVB certainly helps. It’s obviously keeping hitters off-balanced, with a BA and SLUG of .053 against the pitch.
2. Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs – Splitter – RV: 4
This pitch’s effectiveness comes from its deception – Shota’s splitter looks just like his fastball for so long, then creates a decisive sharp drop, making it difficult to square up (.043 BA and .114 SLUG against it). This pitch is most effective in the bottom of the zone, and Shota has been surgical in it’s placement through three starts. His ability to play the splitter off his fastball has been a thing of beauty to watch.
1. Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds- 4-seam Fastball – RV: 4
It’s not necessarily the most effective pitch in baseball yet, but it tops our list this week. Greene averages 99.4 on his four-seamer, it’s got solid iVB at 16.4, and the spin rate is insane, sitting at 2,434. This pitch lives in the “chase” zone, the velocity and location make this pitch nearly unhittable with a BAA of 0.188 and a whiff rate of 21.8%.
