Throwing fewer four-seamers?

Around 2 or 3 weeks ago, I read a post on Facebook. It was about fastball usage in the majors. It indicated there might be some trends about different pitches in the majors. After reading the post, I was just thinking about one thing.

 

Over the last several seasons, are there changes in 4-seamer usage? To solve my doubt, I decided to check on the statcast website.

 

Firstly, let’s look back at the 2008 season. Back then, the four-seamer usage was 33.8% in the majors and the average velocity was 91.9 mph. The next season, the leaguewide four-seamer usage increased to over 35% and the average pitch velocity was 92.1 mph. Nonetheless, in 2010, the usage of four-seam fastballs dropped to 32.9% in the majors and the average velocity was 92.2 mph.

In 2011 and 2012, the four-seamer usage was over 33% each season. In 2013, the four-seamer usage went up to 34.7% and the average pitch velocity was 92.7 mph. The next year, the average pitch velocity was 92.8 mph. But the leaguewide four-seamer usage dropped to 34.2%.

In 2015, the usage of 4-seam fastballs was over 35% in the majors and the average velocity was over 93 mph. The next season, the leaguewide usage of 4-seamers was even higher. At the same time, the average pitch velocity went up as well.

In 2017, the usage of 4-seamers declined to 34.4%. However, the average pitch velocity in the majors didn’t change. In 2018, the usage of 4-seamers was 34.9%. The next year, the four-seamer usage rose to 35.8% and the average velocity of 4-seamers was 93.4 mph.

Well, the 2020 season was a different one. The four-seamer usage was 34.7% in the majors. In 2021, the four-seamer usage was 35.4% in the league and the average pitch velocity went up to 93.7 mph. In 2022, the four-seamer usage declined to 33.1% but the average velocity of four-seam fastballs was 93.9 mph.

Finally, in 2023, the leaguewide usage of 4-seam fastballs was below 32%. Nonetheless, pitchers are throwing harder. The average velocity of four-seam fastballs was over 94 mph. The next year, the usage of four-seamers was below 32% as well. But the average velocity of four-seamers went up again. Last season, the leaguewide usage of 4-seamers was 31.8% and again, the average pitch velocity went up. The average velocity of 4-seamers was 94.5 mph in 2025.

As we look back at the stats from 2008 to 2025, there are some changes in four-seamer usage. In 2009, 2015, 2019 and 2021, the usage of four-seamers was over 35% in the majors. Additionally, in 2016, the four-seamer usage was over 36% and that was the highest in recent years. Nonetheless, since 2021, it seems that pitchers aren’t throwing four-seam fastballs as often as they used to do. From 2023 to 2025, the four-seamer usage was below 32%. Well, so far in the 2026 season, the usage of four-seam fastballs is now below 31%. Let’s keep watching if this trend will continue.