Pitching Strategy: Using Batting Statistics To Your Advantage On The Mound

Research conducted by the National Pitching Association in San Diego discovered the following statistics with regard to batting average per count in Major League Baseball. A similar study by some high schools in California found these numbers to be very similar, especially when it came to the statistical spreads between counts.

It is clear that the statistical advantage is always in favor of the pitcher, even at 3-0. In the "Don't ignore the obvious just because it's obvious" department, a pitcher should never feel at a disadvantage because they never really are. I regularly tell pitchers to watch batting practice and count how many legitimate hits a guy might get in a 10 pitch round, even when the same speed fastballs are thrown. Hitters always have, and always will, get themselves out more than we can get them out. It's just a fact.

One notable observation with these numbers is the statistical jump after 1-1 in each direction. The most significant increase or decrease in batting average - nearly 50 points each way - takes place going from 1-1 to 2-1 and 1-1 to 1-2. Because of this, the 1-1 pitch count is arguably the most important count in baseball.