We just reviewed several pitchers who threw 1000+ strikeouts with their sliders. Now, let’s shift our focus on another pitch.
Curveball is another pitch that is used by many pitchers in the majors. From 2008 to 2024, which pitchers had thrown a lot of curveballs to generate strikeouts? To solve this question, I decided to check on the statcast website again.
According to the statcast website, curveball, knuckle curve and slow curve are included in the curveball group. Now, let’s look at those pitchers who created a lot of strikeouts via curveballs.
Charlie Morton is now 41 years old. Back in 2008, he made it into the big leagues. So far in his career, he has already thrown 2100+ strikeouts. Curveball is certainly Morton’s key pitch arsenal. In particular, since 2019, Morton’s curveball usage has been over 30% of the time each season. Over the last 2 seasons, he threw his curveball more than 40% of the time. From 2008 to 2024, Morton used his curveball to generate more than 1100 strikeouts.
Adam Wainwright made his MLB debut in 2005 and spent 18 seasons with the Cardinals. He earned 200 wins with 2202 strikeouts. Curveball is Wainwright’s well-known pitch and he effectively used it in his career. From 2008 to 2023, he used his curveball to generate 900+ strikeouts.
In addition, A.J. Burnett pitched in the majors from 1999 to 2015. In his career, he threw 2513 strikeouts. Burnett’s knuckle curve is an interesting pitch to watch. From 2008 to 2015, Burnett’s curveball helped him create 900+ strikeouts.
Furthermore, it’s Aaron Nola’s 11th season in the majors. Unfortunately, he’s on the IL now. Nola’s knuckle curve has been an extremely important pitch for him. From 2015 to 2024, Nola used his curveball to generate more than 800 strikeouts. So far in his career, Nola has 1800+ strikeouts.
Finally, Gio Gonzalez pitched in the majors from 2008 to 2020. He had 1860 strikeouts in his career and 700+ strikeouts came from his curveball. Additionally, Corey Kluber, who’s a 2-time Cy Young award winner, threw 1725 strikeouts in his career. From 2011 to 2023, Kubler used his curveball to create 700+ strikeouts. Also, Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw are both 3-time Cy Young award winners. From 2008 to 2024, they each used their curveballs to punch out 700+ batters.
When we carefully look at pitchers who effectively use their curveballs to create a lot of strikeouts, Charlie Morton’s curveball is surely a unique one because its spin rate might reach 3000+ rpm. Wainwright and Burnett each well used their curveballs in their careers. However, it’s a pity that Nola might miss some time this season and we might not see his great knuckle curve as often as the last several seasons. Additionally, Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw and Corey Kluber are multiple-time Cy Young award winners and they know how to effectively use their curveballs to generate strikeouts. In particular, for Verlander and Kershaw, their curveballs have fooled so many batters in the majors and their curveballs helped them join the elite 3000 strikeout club.
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