What Are Some Important Pitching Stats?

by Garrett Gosselink, DevelopingPitchers.site

Pitching stats are crucial in baseball and can provide a lot of insight into a pitcher’s performance. Here are some of the most important pitching stats:

ERA (Earned Run Average): This measures the number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. The lower the ERA, the better the pitcher is performing.

WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched): This is the sum of a pitcher’s walks and hits allowed per inning pitched. A lower WHIP indicates that a pitcher is allowing fewer baserunners and is therefore performing better.

K/9 (Strikeouts per 9 innings): This measures the number of strikeouts a pitcher has per nine innings pitched. A higher K/9 indicates that a pitcher is capable of striking out more batters, which is generally considered a good thing.

BB/9 (Walks per 9 innings): This measures the number of walks a pitcher has per nine innings pitched. A lower BB/9 indicates that a pitcher is issuing fewer walks, which is generally considered a good thing.

FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching): This measures a pitcher’s performance while taking out the effect of fielding from the equation. It is based on a pitcher’s strikeouts, walks, hit by pitches, and home runs allowed.

WHIFF% (Swinging Strike Percentage): This measures the percentage of swings that result in a miss by the batter. A higher whiff% indicates that a pitcher is capable of generating more swings and misses, which is generally considered a good thing.

HR/9 (Home Runs per 9 innings): This measures the number of home runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. A lower HR/9 indicates that a pitcher is allowing fewer home runs, which is generally considered a good thing.

Overall, these stats can help evaluate a pitcher’s effectiveness, control, and ability to prevent runs from scoring.