Baseball, one of America’s favorite pastimes, is full of superstars and all-star pitchers. Every team has its own arsenal of pitchers, but who has the best cutter in baseball? A cutter is a pitch that is thrown with an off-center grip, which causes the ball to move slightly in the opposite direction of the pitcher’s arm motion. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best cutters in the MLB and how they use the pitch to their advantage.
What Is a Cutter?
A cutter is a type of pitch that is thrown with an off-center grip, which causes the ball to move slightly in the opposite direction of the pitcher’s arm motion. This off-center grip causes the ball to break slightly in the opposite direction of the pitcher’s arm motion. This can make it difficult for batters to hit, as the ball moves differently than they expect.
The Top Cutters in Major League Baseball
There are many great cutters in the MLB, but some stand out more than others. Here are some of the best cutters in the MLB:
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is one of the most dominant pitchers in the MLB, and his cutter is one of the best in the game. His cutter is especially effective against right-handed batters, as he is able to cause the ball to break away from them. Verlander has used his cutter to strike out countless batters, and he has been one of the most successful pitchers in the MLB over the past few years.
Corey Kluber
Corey Kluber is another great pitcher in the MLB, and his cutter is one of the best in the game. Kluber has used his cutter to great effect, as it can cause the ball to break away from right-handed batters. Kluber has been one of the most successful pitchers in the MLB over the past few years, and his cutter has been a key part of his success.
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer is one of the most dominant pitchers in the MLB, and his cutter is one of the best in the game. Scherzer has used his cutter to great effect, as it can cause the ball to break away from right-handed batters. Scherzer has been one of the most successful pitchers in the MLB over the past few years, and his cutter has been a key part of his success.
Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole is another great pitcher in the MLB, and his cutter is one of the best in the game. Cole has used his cutter to great effect, as it can cause the ball to break away from right-handed batters. Cole has been one of the most successful pitchers in the MLB over the past few years, and his cutter has been a key part of his success.
Jacob deGrom
Jacob deGrom is another great pitcher in the MLB, and his cutter is one of the best in the game. deGrom has used his cutter to great effect, as it can cause the ball to break away from right-handed batters. deGrom has been one of the most successful pitchers in the MLB over the past few years, and his cutter has been a key part of his success.
The Benefits of a Cutter
A cutter can be a great weapon for a pitcher, as it can cause the ball to move in unexpected ways. This can make it difficult for batters to hit, as the ball can move differently than they expect. Additionally, a cutter can be used to set up a pitcher’s other pitches, as the unexpected movement can cause batters to swing at pitches they otherwise wouldn’t.
The Drawbacks of a Cutter
While a cutter can be a great weapon for a pitcher, it can also be a double-edged sword. If a pitcher does not have the proper control of their cutter, it can be easy for the ball to fly out of the strike zone and become a ball. Additionally, if a pitcher does not have the proper velocity on their cutter, it can be easy for the ball to become a batting practice fastball.
How to Throw a Cutter
Throwing a cutter is not as easy as it may seem. Here are some tips on how to throw a successful cutter:
- Grip the ball with your index and middle fingers along the seams.
- Create torque by rotating your wrist away from your body.
- Throw the ball with a short, quick arm motion.
- Finish your arm motion by pointing your glove hand towards the target.
- Keep your eyes focused on the target as you release the ball.
- Follow through and finish your arm motion towards the target.
Conclusion
A cutter can be a great weapon for a pitcher, but it is important to have proper control and velocity. When thrown correctly, a cutter can be a great way to set up other pitches and keep batters off balance. There are many great cutters in the MLB, but some stand out more than others. Justin Verlander, Corey Kluber, Max Scherzer, Gerrit Cole, and Jacob deGrom are some of the best cutters in the MLB and they have used their cutters to great effect.
References
- Baseball-Reference.com. (2021). Justin Verlander Stats. Retrieved from baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml
- Baseball-Reference.com. (2021). Corey Kluber Stats. Retrieved from baseball-reference.com/players/k/klubeco01.shtml
- Baseball-Reference.com. (2021). Max Scherzer Stats. Retrieved from baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml
- Baseball-Reference.com. (2021). Gerrit Cole Stats. Retrieved from baseball-reference.com/players/c/colegr01.shtml
- Baseball-Reference.com. (2021). Jacob deGrom Stats. Retrieved from baseball-reference.com/players/d/degroja01.shtml
- Baseball Coaching. (2021). How to Throw a Cutter. Retrieved from baseballcoaching.org/how-to-throw-a-cutter/