Even though spring training has over, that does not mean we should stop looking at pitchers who are throwing new pitches. In fact, this is when the fun starts. Many pitchers will try new pitches in the spring but forsake them once the regular season begins. It is often more informative to determine which pitchers have substantially altered their pitch mix or pitch shape after a few regular-season outings.

With that in mind, we’ll continue the notion of my Pitchers with New Pitches (and Should We Care) series by breaking down significant changes in a pitcher’s pitch mix (therefore “Mixing” it up). We’ll look at pitchers who are introducing a new pitch, eliminating one, or demonstrating a changing shape/velocity on a pitch.

I’ll continue my examination on the simple premise that not every fresh pitch deserves appreciation. A new pitch, like a flashy new toy, can be thrilling on its own, but it must also compliment what a pitcher already has and cover a significant need in his current pitch mix. We want to see whether he has any separation concerns. We want to know what his greatest pitch(es) are and whether this new pitch will compliment those. Then we’ll look at what this new pitch type is typically utilized for (control, called strikes, etc.) and determine whether this pitcher requires assistance with it. We can now view the pitch

If you missed any of the earlier editions of this series, you can access the tracker by clicking this link, which will be updated throughout the season. It will also provide links to the original articles, allowing you to read them in their entirety if you like.