All right, we have seen strikeout leaders via different pitches from 2008 to 2024. However, I’m just thinking about another thing. How about something different?
Well, how about pitches that are not so fast? Did those pitches still generate some strikeouts? Additionally, which pitchers had thrown many strikeouts by throwing pitches that weren’t so fast? To solve my doubt, I decided to check on the statcast website.
So, I decided to take a look at pitches that are less than or equal to 70 mph. Tim Wakefield spent 19 seasons in the majors. From 1992 to 2011, he threw 3226.1 innings with 2156 strikeouts. His knuckleball is a well-known pitch. Of course, those knuckleballs aren’t so fast. From 2008 to 2011, he threw 331 strikeouts with pitches that were below 70 mph.
A.J. Griffin spent 4 seasons in the majors. He made his MLB debut in 2012. Also, he pitched in 2013, 2016 and 2017. In those 4 seasons, he tossed 478.2 innings with 403 strikeouts. When he pitched in the majors, he wasn’t a flamethrower. Average velocity of his four-seamers was below 90 mph. Meanwhile, his curveball had played a key role. During those 4 seasons in the majors, Griffin used his curveballs, which were less than or equal to 70 mph, to generate 100+ strikeouts.
In addition, many fans certainly know this name. Zack Greinke, who spent 20 seasons in the majors, threw 3389.1 innings with 2979 strikeouts. In particular, he won the AL Cy Young award in 2009. Greinke is a very unique pitcher who throws several types of pitches. He can throw it hard and he can throw it slow. From 2008 to 2023, Zack Greinke used to throw pitches that were less than or equal to 70 mph to generate 100+ strikeouts.
Finally, Livan Hernandez pitched in the majors from 1996 to 2012. There are so many important chapters in his career. The most impressive one might be that he helped the Marlins win the 1997 World Series and he was the World Series MVP. In the 17 seasons in the majors, Livan Hernandez threw 3189 innings with 1976 strikeouts. From 2008 to 2012, he struck out 115 batters by throwing pitches that were less than or equal to 70 mph. Moreover, Joakim Soria pitched in the majors from 2007 to 2021, throwing 831 strikeouts over 763 innings. From 2008 to 2021, he used his curveballs, which were less than or equal to 70 mph, to strike out 80+ batters.
Throwing pitches that are less than or equal to 70 mph can still strike out batters in the majors. However, it’s not that easy. As we can see, from 2008 to 2024, there weren’t many strikeouts which were coming from pitches that were less than or equal to 70 mph. Nonetheless, there are some names that many baseball fans will remember. Of course, the Red Sox fans surely remember Tim Wakefield and his knuckleball and some batters just can’t hit his knuckleballs. Furthermore, Zack Greinke is always a player that many fans would like to talk about. When he’s on the mound, he always does something different to fool batters, including throwing some pitches that are slow.
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