US Edition
In an era prizing velocity, more than 20,000 curveballs a year have disappeared from MLB
UNITED STATES, JUL 14 – Curveball usage fell from 10.7% in 2019 to 8.5% in 2025 as pitchers focus on higher fastball velocity and shorter outings, MLB data shows.
- MLB curveball usage declined from 10.7% in 2019 to 8.1% last year, with 22,962 fewer curveballs thrown in 2024 than five years prior.
- This decline results from a broader trend favoring velocity and spin, as pitchers and scouts prioritize hard throwing over traditional pitchability.
- Pitching coaches and players note that sweepers and hard sliders with horizontal movement have replaced many curveballs, reflecting concerns about contact and swing-and-miss rates.
- Tampa Bay's Shane Baz uses his curve 28.1% of the time, seventh highest this season, while overall four-seam fastball velocity reached a record 94.4 mph.
- Reduced curveball use coincides with lower starter innings averages, dropping from 6 1/3 innings in the 1980s to just under 5 1/3 currently, indicating a shift in game strategy and pitcher workload.
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24 Articles
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The number of curved balls decreases by more than 20,000 per year.
·Montreal, Canada
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Curveballs disappearing in MLB as velocity obsession reshapes pitching landscape
ATLANTA — Curveballs have been thrown a curve by a modern game valuing velocity over variety, disappearing from the major leagues by more than 20,000 annually. The Athletics have thrown curves on just 2.5 per cent of pitches this season. The overall big league figure dropped from 10.7 per cent in 2019 to 8.1 per cent last year, the lowest since MLB starting tracking in 2008, before rising slightly to 8.5 per cent this season. There were 22,962 f…
·Canada
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Total News Sources24
Leaning Left8Leaning Right2Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Left, 44% Center
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Left, 44% of the sources are Center
44% Center
L 44%
C 44%
11%
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