Curveballs Disappearing: MLB’s Shift Toward Pitching Velocity

The curveball, once a staple in Major League Baseball (MLB), is quietly slipping out of the game’s pitching mix. Over the last several years, teams have thrown noticeably fewer curveballs and are leaning into pitches that bring more velocity and movement.

This shift is reshaping pitching strategies across the league. It really highlights just how much baseball philosophy is changing these days.

The Decline of the Curveball: By the Numbers

The disappearance of the curveball isn’t just a rumor—there’s plenty of data to back it up. In 2019, curveballs made up 10.7% of all MLB pitches.

By 2024, that number had dropped to only 8.4%. That’s over 20,000 fewer curveballs thrown each year compared to just a few seasons ago.

So, what’s behind this drop? High-velocity pitches are on the rise, and sliders and sweepers are more popular than ever.

These newer pitches copy some of the curveball’s break but come in faster, fitting right in with today’s love for hard-throwing arms.

Prioritizing Velocity Over Variety

Modern baseball puts a huge emphasis on velocity, and that’s changed how pitchers train and pitch. Coaches and analytics departments are fixated on boosting speed and spin rates, convinced that harder pitches lead to more strikeouts and weaker contact.

Pitchers now focus on throwing harder and using pitches that move fast and break sharply. You’ll see a lot more sliders, splitters, and cutters than the old-school curveball.

The curveball, once iconic, just doesn’t get the same love in this new, speed-obsessed era.

The Role of Analytics in the Curveball’s Decline

Analytics have played a big part in the curveball’s slide. MLB organizations now use data-driven methods to judge pitchers, especially looking at pitch velocity and spin rate.

These stats line up with how tough a pitch is to hit. Even though curveballs can be beautiful, they don’t always fit the efficiency standards analysts want.

Analytics departments across the league often nudge pitchers toward sliders and other hard, dynamic pitches instead of slower, looping curveballs. The curveball still pops up in some situations, but it’s rarely the centerpiece of pitching development these days.

The Artistry of the Curveball: A Vanishing Craft

Some veteran pitchers and purists aren’t thrilled about losing the curveball’s artistry. With its big arc and knack for making batters look silly, the curveball offers a challenge that other pitches just can’t match.

Its slow fade from MLB signals a bigger move away from the game’s traditional elements, replaced by tools that prize pure efficiency.

Still, there are a few pitchers who stick with the curveball and find real success. These outliers prove that, in the right hands, the pitch can still be devastating.

Honestly, they’re a good reminder that baseball’s beauty often comes from its mix of styles and strategies.

The Bigger Picture: Baseball’s Evolving Philosophy

The slow disappearance of the curveball says a lot about where baseball’s headed. Player development now revolves around advanced metrics, rewarding pitchers who throw hard and generate wild movement.

As teams chase speed and efficiency, classic pitches like the curveball risk fading into the past.

Maybe the curveball’s decline bums out traditionalists, but it also shows how baseball adapts in a world obsessed with innovation. The sport’s always looking for ways to push performance, whether that means tweaking pitching arsenals or changing how players train.

Will the Curveball Mount a Comeback?

The curveball’s usage has dropped off, but it’s honestly too early to write it off. Baseball tends to circle back to old tricks, doesn’t it?

Trends never really die for good. The game keeps shifting, and I wouldn’t be shocked if pitchers rediscovered the curveball as a sneaky weapon to mix in with all that heat.

What’s your take on the curveball’s decline? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation!

 
Here is the source article for this story: In an era prizing velocity, more than 20,000 curveballs a year have disappeared from MLB