Carlos Carrasco is a Major League Baseball pitcher who has established himself as a reliable starter over his career. He has played for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets.
As a pitcher, one of the key factors that determine a player’s success is their pitching velocity. Knowing how hard a pitcher throws can give an insight into their approach and effectiveness.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Carlos Carrasco’s pitching velocity, how it has changed over time, and its impact on his performance.
We’ll also discuss the various factors that affect pitching velocity and explore how Carrasco has adapted to continue to pitch effectively despite a decrease in velocity.
Carlos Carrasco’s Pitching Repertoire
Carlos Carrasco’s pitching repertoire consists of a few different types of pitches, but his primary weapons on the mound are his four-seam fastball and changeup.
Carrasco’s four-seam fastball is a pitch that he throws with good velocity and some movement. In 2022, his average four-seam fastball velocity was 91.3 mph, although it did drop slightly as the season progressed.
While not the fastest fastball in the league, it is still an effective pitch that he uses to set up his other pitches.
Carrasco’s changeup is his secondary pitch and one that he throws with a lot of confidence. His changeup averaged 87 mph in 2022, and it’s a pitch that he throws with good arm speed and deception. When thrown well, his changeup can be a devastating pitch that fools hitters and generates weak contact.
What’s interesting about Carrasco’s repertoire is how well his fastball and changeup complement each other. Because there is a decent velocity difference between his fastball and changeup, hitters can struggle to adjust to the change in speed, making both pitches more effective.
Additionally, Carrasco’s changeup has good movement and can be thrown to the same location as his fastball, making it difficult for hitters to pick up.
Overall, Carrasco’s fastball and changeup are effective pitches that he uses well. While he may not throw the hardest fastball in the league, he uses his other pitches and pitching strategy to great effect.
Carlos Carrasco’s Velocity in 2022
In 2022, Carlos Carrasco’s four-seam fastball averaged 91.3 mph, down slightly from his previous seasons. His changeup, on the other hand, averaged 87 mph. While Carrasco’s fastball is still a good pitch, the decrease in velocity could have an impact on his pitching.
When compared to previous seasons, Carrasco’s fastball velocity has declined slightly. In 2021, his four-seam fastball averaged 93.2 mph, which is almost 2 mph faster than his average in 2022.
This decline in velocity could be due to a number of factors, including age, wear and tear on his arm, or changes in his mechanics.
The drop in velocity could impact Carrasco’s pitching in a few ways. For one, a slower fastball may be easier for hitters to track and hit, reducing its effectiveness as a pitch.
Additionally, the decrease in velocity could impact Carrasco’s confidence in his fastball, potentially leading him to rely more heavily on his secondary pitches.
Despite the decrease in velocity, Carrasco has shown that he can still pitch effectively. His changeup has remained an effective pitch for him, and he has shown the ability to locate his fastball well, even at a slightly lower velocity.
However, it remains to be seen how the decrease in velocity will impact his performance over the long term.
Factors That Affect Pitching Velocity
Pitching velocity can be influenced by a variety of factors, including mechanics, age, injuries, and other factors. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors and how they could potentially impact Carlos Carrasco’s velocity.
Mechanics: One of the most important factors in a pitcher’s velocity is their mechanics. Proper mechanics can help a pitcher generate more power and velocity, while poor mechanics can limit a pitcher’s effectiveness and lead to injury. Over time, a pitcher’s mechanics can change, potentially impacting their velocity.
Age: As a player gets older, their body naturally begins to slow down, and their physical abilities can decline. This can include a decrease in velocity for pitchers, as their arm strength and speed can diminish with age.
Injuries: Injuries can also play a significant role in a pitcher’s velocity. Shoulder injuries, elbow injuries, and other arm injuries can impact a pitcher’s ability to generate power and velocity, leading to a decrease in velocity.
Other Factors: Other factors, such as fatigue, conditioning, and mental state, can also impact a pitcher’s velocity. If a pitcher is tired or not in optimal physical shape, their velocity could suffer.
Additionally, if a pitcher is not mentally focused or has a lack of confidence, their velocity and effectiveness on the mound could be impacted.
In the case of Carlos Carrasco, the potential reasons for his decrease in velocity could be multifaceted. As a veteran pitcher in his 30s, age could be a factor.
Additionally, Carrasco has had a history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2011 and a hamstring injury in 2019.
These injuries could have impacted his mechanics and arm strength, leading to a decrease in velocity. Furthermore, it’s possible that fatigue or a lack of conditioning could have played a role, although this is purely speculative.
Carrasco’s Performance Despite the Decrease in Velocity
Despite the decrease in velocity, Carlos Carrasco has been able to pitch effectively by adapting his approach on the mound. One way he has done this is by focusing on his command and movement.
Rather than relying solely on his fastball, Carrasco has been mixing in his changeup and other off-speed pitches more frequently to keep hitters off balance. By doing so, he has been able to generate more swings and misses and induce weak contact.
In addition to his pitch selection, Carrasco has been focusing on the movement and location of his pitches. While his fastball may not be as fast as it once was, he has been able to generate good movement on it, causing it to sink and run away from hitters.
This movement, combined with good location, has made his fastball a more effective pitch. Carrasco has also been working on the movement and location of his changeup, making it more difficult for hitters to recognize and hit.
Overall, Carrasco’s ability to pitch effectively despite the decrease in velocity highlights the importance of command and movement in pitching. While a fastball with high velocity can be a valuable weapon for a pitcher, it is not the only tool in their arsenal.
Pitchers who can locate their pitches well and generate good movement can still be effective, even with lower velocity. This is a testament to the importance of strategy, skill, and adaptability in the game of baseball.
Carlos Carrasco’s Pitching Velocity in 2022
Pitch Type | Average Velocity (mph) |
---|---|
Four-seam Fastball | 91.3 |
Changeup | 87.0 |
Fastball (5th inning) | 90.6 |
Note: Carrasco’s average velocity on his fastball is down 2 mph from last year, but still in line with other pitchers in the league. Despite the decrease in velocity, Carrasco has been able to pitch effectively by focusing on his command and movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Carlos Carrasco experienced a significant drop in velocity compared to other pitchers in the league?
While his fastball velocity has decreased from last year, Carrasco’s velocity is still in line with other pitchers in the league.
Is a decrease in velocity always a bad thing for pitchers?
Not necessarily. While high velocity can be a valuable asset for pitchers, it is not the only determining factor for success on the mound. As we have seen with Carrasco, pitchers can still be effective with lower velocity by focusing on other factors such as command and movement.
Can pitchers regain lost velocity over time?
It is possible for pitchers to regain lost velocity over time, but it depends on the underlying factors causing the decrease in velocity. If the decrease is due to an injury, it may take longer to regain velocity than if it is due to mechanics or conditioning. In some cases, pitchers may never fully regain their lost velocity.
How important is command and movement for pitchers?
Command and movement are crucial for pitchers as they can make up for a lack of velocity. Good command allows pitchers to locate their pitches effectively, while good movement can make their pitches more difficult to hit. Pitchers with good command and movement can be effective even with lower velocity.
Can a pitcher be effective with just one pitch?
While it is rare for a pitcher to be effective with just one pitch, it is not impossible. Some pitchers have a dominant pitch that they rely on heavily, while others may mix in different variations of the same pitch to keep hitters off balance. However, having a diverse repertoire of pitches is generally considered an advantage for pitchers.
To Recap
Carlos Carrasco’s decrease in velocity on his fastball has not prevented him from being an effective pitcher. By adapting his approach on the mound and focusing on his command and movement, he has been able to pitch effectively and keep hitters off balance.
This highlights the importance of strategy, skill, and adaptability in the game of baseball. While velocity can be an important factor for pitchers, it is not the only factor that determines their effectiveness.
Ultimately, it is a combination of factors, including mechanics, age, injuries, command, and movement, that contribute to a pitcher’s success on the mound.