Justin Verlander is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers of his generation, with a career spanning over 17 years and counting. His impressive stats and accomplishments include six All-Star appearances, two Cy Young awards, and a World Series championship.
Verlander has consistently been known for his dominant performances on the mound, but what makes him so good?
In this blog, we will explore the factors that contribute to Verlander’s success, including his exceptional control, diverse pitching repertoire, ability to change the eye level of hitters, and mental toughness.
By understanding what makes Verlander such a formidable opponent, we can gain insight into what it takes to excel in the world of professional baseball.
Exceptional Control
Control, in the context of baseball pitching, refers to a pitcher’s ability to consistently throw strikes and avoid walks. This is important because it allows the pitcher to stay ahead in the count, meaning they have more options for pitch selection and are more likely to get a favorable outcome.
Verlander is known for his exceptional control, with a career walk rate of only 2.3 walks per nine innings pitched.
This is significantly lower than the league average and demonstrates his ability to consistently throw strikes. In fact, Verlander has led the league in fewest walks per nine innings pitched on multiple occasions throughout his career.
Verlander’s control puts pressure on opposing hitters because they know that he is unlikely to give them a free pass to first base via a walk.
This means they are more likely to swing at pitches, even if they may not be the ideal pitch to hit, in order to avoid falling behind in the count. This puts the hitter at a disadvantage and increases Verlander’s chances of success on the mound.
In addition, Verlander’s control allows him to locate his pitches with precision, making it more difficult for hitters to make solid contact with the ball. This can lead to more ground balls, pop-ups, and weakly hit balls, which are easier for the defense to handle and result in outs.
Overall, Verlander’s exceptional control is a key factor in his success as a pitcher, and it has helped him become one of the most dominant and consistent pitchers of his generation.
Diverse Pitching Repertoire
Verlander has a diverse pitching repertoire that includes a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. Each of these pitches has its own unique strengths, and Verlander is able to use them strategically to keep hitters off balance.
His four-seam fastball is one of the fastest in the league, regularly clocking in at around 95-98 miles per hour. This pitch has great late life and movement, making it difficult for hitters to square up.
His two-seam fastball, on the other hand, has more movement and is often used to induce ground balls and weak contact. Verlander’s curveball has a sharp break and is a great pitch for him to use when he needs a strikeout.
His slider is a hard-breaking pitch that can be used to get ahead in the count or put hitters away. His changeup is slower and has great deception, often fooling hitters into swinging early or missing altogether.
Verlander’s ability to throw each of these pitches at different speeds and locations makes it difficult for hitters to anticipate what’s coming next.
He can throw a high fastball to change a hitter’s eye level, followed by a low curveball that drops out of the strike zone. This keeps hitters guessing and makes it harder for them to make solid contact with the ball.
This diverse pitching repertoire also contributes to Verlander’s high strikeout rate, as he is able to mix up his pitches and keep hitters off balance. It also allows him to induce weak contact, as hitters are often unable to make solid contact due to the movement and location of his pitches.
Overall, Verlander’s ability to throw a variety of pitches with different speeds and movements is a key factor in his success as a pitcher. It allows him to keep hitters off balance and increase his chances of getting outs.
Changing the Eye Level of Hitters
Changing the eye level of hitters refers to a pitcher’s ability to make a hitter look at pitches in different locations within the strike zone or outside of it. By doing this, the pitcher can disrupt the hitter’s timing and make it harder for them to make solid contact with the ball.
Verlander is particularly adept at changing the eye level of hitters through his pitch location and movement. He can throw a high fastball to make the hitter look up, followed by a low curveball or changeup to make them look down.
This makes it more difficult for hitters to adjust to the location of the next pitch, and it increases the likelihood of a swing and miss or weak contact.
In addition, Verlander’s ability to change the horizontal location of his pitches makes it harder for hitters to anticipate where the ball is going to be.
He can throw a fastball on the outside corner followed by a slider that breaks away from the hitter. This creates uncertainty in the hitter’s mind, making it harder for them to make solid contact with the ball.
Changing the eye level of hitters is important because it can make even the best hitters look foolish. When a hitter is unable to predict the location or movement of a pitch, they are more likely to swing at pitches outside of the strike zone or miss altogether.
This increases the pitcher’s chances of getting a favorable outcome, such as a strikeout or weakly hit ball.
Overall, Verlander’s ability to change the eye level of hitters through pitch location and movement is a key factor in his success as a pitcher. It allows him to disrupt the timing and location of hitters’ swings, making it harder for them to make solid contact with the ball.
Mental Toughness
Mental toughness refers to an athlete’s ability to stay focused, remain calm under pressure, and maintain a competitive mindset in the face of adversity. It is a key trait for success in sports, as it allows athletes to perform at a high level in high-pressure situations.
Verlander is known for his competitive mindset and dedication to his craft. He approaches every game with a fierce determination to win and puts in the work necessary to achieve his goals.
He is also known for his mental toughness, which allows him to stay focused and perform at a high level in high-pressure situations.
One example of Verlander’s mental toughness can be seen in his performance during the 2017 postseason.
In the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, Verlander threw a complete game in Game 2 and pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 6 to help the Houston Astros clinch the series. He then went on to pitch a dominant game in the World Series, earning the title of World Series MVP.
Verlander’s mental toughness also helps him stay focused and perform at a high level in individual games. He has a reputation for being able to stay calm and focused even when things aren’t going well, which allows him to make adjustments and bounce back from tough situations.
Overall, Verlander’s mental toughness is a key factor in his success as a pitcher. It allows him to stay focused, remain calm under pressure, and perform at a high level in high-pressure situations.
His competitive mindset and dedication to his craft have also played a significant role in his success, as they drive him to put in the work necessary to achieve his goals.
Justin Verlander’s Notable Career Statistics
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Wins | 226 |
| Losses | 129 |
| ERA | 3.30 |
| Strikeouts | 3,009 |
| Innings Pitched | 2,964.2 |
| WHIP | 1.13 |
| Cy Young Awards | 2 |
| MVP Awards | 1 |
| All-Star Selections | 8 |
| No-Hitters | 3 |
| World Series Titles | 1 |
This table provides a quick overview of some of Justin Verlander’s most notable career statistics, including his win-loss record, earned run average, strikeouts, and awards.
FAQs
What is Justin Verlander’s pitching style?
Justin Verlander is known for his aggressive and dominant pitching style. He consistently throws his fastball at high velocities and mixes in a variety of off-speed pitches to keep hitters off balance. His diverse pitching repertoire allows him to attack hitters from different angles and keep them guessing.
How has Verlander’s pitching style evolved throughout his career?
Throughout his career, Verlander has made adjustments to his pitching style to stay effective as he aged. He has become more reliant on off-speed pitches and has refined his control to induce weak contact more consistently. Additionally, he has become more adept at changing the eye level of hitters and pitching to contact, rather than always going for the strikeout.
What are some of Verlander’s notable achievements?
Verlander has numerous notable achievements throughout his career, including being named the American League Cy Young Award winner in 2011 and 2019, winning the American League MVP Award in 2011, being selected to eight All-Star games, and winning a World Series championship with the Houston Astros in 2017.
How has Verlander’s injury history impacted his career?
Verlander has had a few notable injuries throughout his career, including undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020. However, he has been able to bounce back from these injuries and continue performing at a high level. His dedication to his rehabilitation and conditioning has played a significant role in his ability to return to the mound.
What is Verlander’s future in baseball?
As of 2023, Verlander is currently a free agent and has not announced his plans for the future. However, given his talent and track record, it is likely that he will continue pitching at a high level for several more years, whether it be with his current team or another organization.
Conclusion
Justin Verlander is one of the best pitchers of his generation due to his exceptional control, diverse pitching repertoire, ability to change the eye level of hitters, and mental toughness.
His ability to consistently throw strikes and induce weak contact, as well as his ability to throw a variety of pitches at different speeds and locations, make him a formidable opponent for any hitter.
Moreover, his mental toughness allows him to stay focused and perform at a high level in high-pressure situations, making him a valuable asset to any team. With his talent and dedication to his craft, Verlander has become a true baseball legend and a role model for aspiring pitchers.
