Total Reading Time: 4 minutes

Happy Monday - and Happy First Week of Season! We’re all busy cramming so today’s issue will be short and sweet. Let’s talk about pitching roles and how many innings they should each throw. Then we can get back to our scouting reports…

So let’s Go!

Table of Contents

• How Many Innings Should Each Pitcher Throw?

How Many Innings Should Each Pitcher Throw?

This could also be titled, “How To Win Games With The Pitchers You’ve Got”.

It used to be that a team would only have 2 pitchers - both would throw complete games and throw the entire season. But those days are gone. Long Gone.

Now, teams need 6-8 pitchers in order to have 4 healthy pitchers at all times. This helps account for the fact that at any time at least 1 will be injured, 1 will underperform and 1 will struggle.

No matter how many pitchers you have, they aren’t equal. They probably don’t have the same movement, same velocity, or same command. And yet they’ve all got to work together to get 21 outs. While Barb Reinalda and I could each do that back in the day, that’s no longer practical, possible or even the best way to win.

Your pitchers will likely fit into one of 4 different buckets based on the number of outs they can realistically expect to get.

Instead of being frustrated that your staff is filled with low velo pitchers who can’t throw 5 solid innings, look at them as puzzle pieces that you need to piece together to get 21 outs and to keep them within their strengths.

Here’s how it works:

• 3-6 Out Pitchers: This is a 1-2 inning pitcher who has low to average speed and 1 good pitch. She can be successful, but only for a limited number of outs. Stretch that length of time and your pitcher has gone beyond her effectiveness and will likely start to struggle. Use her within that 3-6 out length and she can open a game and be effective getting through the top of the lineup one time.

• 6-9 Out Pitchers: These pitchers have either a little more velocity and/or a couple effective pitches. They’re the most common type of pitcher and while they won’t WOW you, they can buy you 2-3 innings and eat up outs.

• 9-12 Out Pitchers: Now we’re reaching the upper 60’s in velo and/or talking about pitchers with vertical spreads of 8 to 10 inches. These pitchers are very effective as bridges (pitchers used between your opener and your closer), and as closers

• 15+ Out Pitchers: Think NiJaree Canady, Karlyn Pickens and Jordy Bahl-Frahm. War horses that can not only open or close a game, but can dominate for an entire game. These pitchers can get 21 outs themselves. There aren’t too many of these in our game and chances are good that you probably don’t have one.

Remember, the goal is to get 21 outs - however you’ve got to get them. Instead of looking at your pitching staff and wishing they were something they’re not, use them within their effectiveness and you’ll win a lot more games.

Thanks for reading this week’s Curveball Chronicles. I hope you gained some insight, some encouragement, some knowledge or some grace.

Go make this a Great week - and let the season begin!!

Missed some previous issues? Don’t worry, I’ve got them all on my website: https://pitchingcoachcentral.com/curveball-newsletter/