Breaking Down Pitch Repertoires: What Scouts Look for in a Complete Pitcher

“Pitching Perfection, the Key Traits of Elite baseball Pitcher”

My memo-

Baseball scouting has evolved into a sophisticated science that blends the traditional eye test with cutting-edge technology. One of the most important aspects of evaluating a pitcher’s potential and overall effectiveness is breaking down their pitch repertoire. A pitcher’s arsenal of pitches—fastballs, breaking balls, off-speed offerings, and everything in between—gives scouts insight into their ability to succeed at the highest levels of baseball. But what exactly do scouts look for when assessing a pitcher’s repertoire? How do they evaluate the various pitches and how they are deployed during a game?

In my comprehensive memo, I will delve into the key components of a pitcher’s arsenal and how scouts evaluate them, focusing on the fundamental criteria that make a pitcher “complete” in the eyes of professional evaluators.

1. The Fastball: The Foundation of a Repertoire

The fastball is the most basic and often the most critical pitch in any pitcher’s repertoire. Nearly every successful pitcher, regardless of their level, relies on a well-executed fastball to set the tone for their other pitches. There are multiple types of fastballs, including the four-seam, two-seam, and cut fastball (cutter), each serving a different purpose and requiring distinct evaluations.

Four-Seam Fastball

The four-seam fastball is the classic power pitch, known for its velocity and relative lack of movement compared to other fastballs. Scouts primarily look for three things when evaluating a four-seam fastball: velocity, and command.

Velocity: Fastball velocity is often the first number scout’s check. For high school prospects, velocities around 90 mph or higher are considered exceptional, while for college pitchers, a good range is 92–95 mph. In the professional ranks, the ideal velocity can range from 94 mph to upwards of 100 mph. However, velocity alone isn’t enough.

Command: Velocity and spin mean little if a pitcher can’t locate their fastball effectively. Scouts assess command by analyzing a pitcher’s ability to consistently hit their spots—whether it's painting the corners of the strike zone or elevating a fastball above a hitter’s swing plane. Command, not just control (which refers to the ability to avoid walks), is critical for disrupting hitters’ timing.

Two-Seam Fastball

The two-seam fastball, also known as a sinker, generates more movement than the four-seam fastball, usually diving toward the arm side of the pitcher. This movement is ideal for inducing ground balls, which is highly valuable in tight situations with runners on base.

Movement: Scouts look for significant horizontal and vertical movement, ideally without sacrificing too much velocity. A two-seam fastball that runs in on the hands of a hitter can jam them, leading to weak contact.

Groundball Percentage: Since the two-seam fastball is often used to induce grounders, scouts assess how frequently a pitcher can generate weak contact. A high groundball rate is a great indicator that the two-seamer is working effectively.

Late Action: Scouts pay attention to how late the movement occurs on a two-seam fastball. The later the movement, the harder it is for the hitter to react in time to make solid contact.

Cut Fastball (Cutter)

A cut fastball behaves like a hybrid between a fastball and a slider, typically coming in at fastball velocity but breaking late and sharply to the glove side. The cutter has become famous due to pitchers like Mariano Rivera, who used it almost exclusively with legendary success.

Late Break: The cutter’s break is subtle compared to a slider but must happen late to prevent hitters from adjusting. Scouts look for the pitch to dart just enough to miss the sweet spot of the bat, leading to broken bats or weak contact.

Velocity Differential: A cutter that comes in too slow relative to the pitcher’s four-seam fastball can be ineffective. Scouts prefer cutters that maintain most of the pitcher’s fastball velocity while still creating movement.

2. Breaking Balls: The Weapons of Deception

Breaking balls—primarily curveballs and sliders—are the primary off-speed pitches that generate swings and misses. These pitches move unpredictably and are often the deciding factor in a pitcher’s ability to put hitters away.

Curveball

The curveball is a pitch known for its vertical drop and is often referred to as a “12-6 curve” due to the way it drops straight down, similar to the hands of a clock. Scouts are particularly interested in the break, spin rate, and deception of the curveball.

Break: A good curveball has a sharp downward break, ideally around 12–18 inches, depending on the pitcher. Scouts measure the depth and consistency of the break, as a larger break can result in more missed swings or weak contact.

Tunneling: Scouts watch to see if the curveball can be thrown in a way that makes it appear similar to the fastball out of the hand, only to break sharply at the last second. This concept, known as “pitch tunneling,” is key to keeping hitters off balance.

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Slider

A slider is a harder, later-breaking pitch compared to the curveball, typically with more horizontal movement. Scouts focus on the velocity, break, and sharpness of the pitch.

Velocity: A good slider should come in around 5–10 mph slower than the pitcher’s fastball but maintain the illusion of a fastball for as long as possible.

Sharpness of Break: The best sliders feature a quick, late break with horizontal movement. Scouts assess how sharp and deceptive the break is, as this can often result in swings and misses, particularly from hitters on the opposite side of the plate.

Consistency: One of the issues with sliders is inconsistency. Scouts evaluate whether a pitcher can throw the slider with the same mechanics as their fastball and replicate the movement every time.

3. Off-Speed Pitches: The Game-Changers

Off-speed pitches, such as changeups, splitters, and forkballs, are often referred to as “neutralizers” because they help keep hitters from sitting on fastballs or breaking balls. These pitches rely heavily on deception, movement, and the ability to maintain arm speed.

Changeup

The changeup is one of the most important off-speed pitches in a pitcher’s repertoire. It’s designed to look like a fastball but arrives much slower, usually 8–12 mph less than a pitcher’s four-seam fastball.

Deception: The key to a good changeup is deception. Scouts look for pitchers who can throw the changeup with the same arm speed and mechanics as their fastball. If the hitter can detect a change in arm speed, the pitch loses its effectiveness.

Movement: A great changeup doesn’t just rely on a velocity differential; it also needs movement. Ideally, the pitch will fade to the arm side of the pitcher (running in on a right-handed hitter if thrown by a right-handed pitcher) and drop.

Strike Zone Usage: Scouts are particularly interested in how pitchers use their changeup in different counts and situations. A well-placed changeup can be devastating when thrown in fastball counts, catching hitters off guard.

Splitter

The splitter, or split-finger fastball, is a pitch that dives sharply downward as it approaches the plate, often resulting in swings and misses or ground balls. Scouts look for several key factors when evaluating a splitter.

Drop: The best splitters have a significant drop as they approach the plate, often falling below the hitter’s swing plane. This drop can be especially effective against power hitters who rely on launching the ball in the air.

Velocity Differential: Similar to the changeup, a splitter should come in about 8–10 mph slower than the pitcher’s fastball. The combination of the drop and the speed differential makes it difficult for hitters to square up.

Grip and Arm Action: The splitter’s unique grip often leads to inconsistent arm action. Scouts pay attention to whether a pitcher can maintain fastball-like arm speed while throwing the splitter.

Forkball

The forkball is a rare pitch, similar to a splitter but with an even more pronounced downward drop. It’s thrown with the fingers split wider apart, and like the splitter, it’s designed to fool hitters with late, sharp movement.

Movement: The forkball’s movement is more exaggerated than that of a splitter. Scouts look for a sharp, late drop, which often leads to ground balls or strikeouts.

Usage: Due to its difficulty to master, the forkball is not commonly seen. However, when used effectively, it can be a devastating out pitch, and scouts take note of its rare effectiveness.

4. Command vs. Control: The Hidden Ingredient of a Complete Pitcher

While the quality of individual pitches is important, what truly defines a complete pitcher is their ability to control the game. Command and control are often mistakenly used interchangeably, but scouts draw a clear distinction between the two.

Control

Control refers to a pitcher’s ability to throw strikes and avoid walking batters. Scouts evaluate a pitcher’s control by looking at their strike percentage and walk rates. Consistent control is essential for maintaining pressure on hitters and preventing free passes to first base.

Command

Command is a more refined skill than control. It refers to a pitcher’s ability to place the ball precisely where they want, often on the edges of the strike zone or in spots that are difficult for hitters to handle. A pitcher with great command can work the corners, change eye levels, and effectively use all quadrants of the strike zone.

Spotting the Fastball: Scouts pay close attention to a pitcher’s ability to spot their fastball on both sides of the plate. Elite command allows a pitcher to set up hitters for off-speed pitches by changing the hitter’s eye level or expanding the zone.

Command of Secondary Pitches: A complete pitcher can also command their secondary pitches, whether it’s a slider on the outside corner or a curveball dropped in for a strike. This keeps hitters guessing and unable to sit on any one pitch.

Consistency: Command must be consistent. A pitcher who can hit their spots one day but struggles the next is less valuable than one who maintains command over a long season. Scouts look for pitchers who can execute game after game.

5. Pitch Sequencing and Strategy: The Art of Setting Hitters Up

The most talented pitchers aren’t simply those with the best individual pitches—they are also the ones who know how to use their repertoire effectively. Pitch sequencing and strategy play a huge role in turning a pitcher from good to great.

Tunneling and Deception

Pitch tunneling refers to the ability of a pitcher to make different pitches look the same out of the hand. A fastball and a slider, for example, should follow the same path for the first few feet after release before the slider breaks away. Scouts assess how well a pitcher can deceive hitters by tunneling pitches, making it harder for them to pick up on off-speed offerings until it’s too late.

Setting Up Hitters

Scouts pay close attention to how pitchers set up hitters throughout the course of an at-bat. A complete pitcher can use fastballs to set up breaking balls, throw changeups in fastball counts, or use pitch sequencing to induce weak contact or a strikeout.

Changing Speeds: One of the oldest axioms in baseball is that hitting is timing, and pitching is about disrupting that timing. Scouts evaluate how well a pitcher changes speeds to keep hitters off balance.

Varying Eye Levels: Pitchers who can change a hitter’s eye level—by alternating high and low pitches—are more likely to succeed. Scouts take note of how well pitchers use elevation as part of their strategy.

Reading Hitters: An advanced pitcher can read a hitter’s weaknesses and make adjustments mid-game. Scouts look for pitchers who understand the nuances of each hitter’s approach and tailor their pitch sequences accordingly.

6. Pitching Under Pressure: The Intangibles

A complete pitcher is also judged on how they perform under pressure. This is often the hardest quality for scouts to evaluate but one of the most important.

Mental Toughness

Scouts assess a pitcher’s ability to stay composed during high-pressure situations, such as bases-loaded jams or playoff games. Mental toughness is crucial for a pitcher who wants to be successful at higher levels of competition.

Workload and Durability

A complete pitcher is also evaluated on their ability to maintain effectiveness deep into games and throughout the season. Scouts look for pitchers who can handle high workloads without a significant drop in velocity or command, as well as those who maintain their mechanics and effectiveness deep into games.

My Bottom Line: What Defines a Complete Pitcher?

A complete pitcher is more than just someone who can throw hard or spin a great breaking ball. Scouts look for a combination of physical tools (velocity, and movement) mental attributes (command, control, sequencing), and intangibles (mental toughness, pitch ability). Pitchers who can balance these aspects while continuing to improve their repertoire stand the best chance of succeeding at the highest levels of baseball.

In the end, the key to scouting a complete pitcher is finding someone who can not only throw a variety of pitches but knows how to use them strategically, perform under pressure, and continually refine their craft.

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