by Garrett Gosselink, DevelopingPitchers.site
There are several ways a pitcher can improve their K/9 (strikeouts per 9 innings) rate:
Improve Pitching Velocity: A pitcher can increase their strikeout rate by improving their pitching velocity, as a faster fastball makes it harder for batters to make contact.
Develop Secondary Pitches: A pitcher can improve their strikeout rate by developing a secondary pitch that they can use to get batters to swing and miss. This could include a slider, curveball, or changeup.
Improve Command: By improving their command and placement of pitches, a pitcher can induce more swings and misses, especially with breaking balls that require precise location to be effective.
Mix Up Pitches: A pitcher can keep batters off-balance by mixing up their pitches and not relying on just one type of pitch. This can lead to more swings and misses, as well as fewer hard-hit balls.
Use Pitch Sequencing: By using effective pitch sequencing, a pitcher can set up batters for strikeouts. This can involve throwing a high fastball followed by a low breaking ball, or vice versa, to keep the batter guessing and off balance.
Study Batters: By studying the tendencies and weaknesses of opposing batters, a pitcher can develop a game plan that maximizes their chances of getting strikeouts.
It’s important to remember that improving K/9 is not the only measure of pitching effectiveness, and other stats such as ERA and WHIP should also be considered when evaluating a pitcher’s performance.