The top 10 fastballs in the Majors (Starting Pitchers)

[mofome]

This is strictly based on average MPH:

1. Dustin McGowan Blue Jays 95.1
2. Felix Hernandez Mariners 94.7
3. Josh Beckett Red Sox 94.7
4. Tim Lincecum Giants 94.3
5. A.J. Burnett Blue Jays 94.2
6. Ubaldo Jimenez Rockies 94.1
7. Ervin Santana Angels 94.0
8. Edwin Jackson Rays 93.6
9. Johnny Cueto Reds 93.2
10. Edinson Volquez Reds 93.2

[MJFtheGenius]

speed means nothing

it'a all about movement and location

[mofome]

speed means nothing

it'a all about movement and location

The success of these starters would lead me to believe otherwise. Certainly, speed plays a factor in their success.

[MJFtheGenius]

The success of these starters would lead me to believe otherwise. Certainly, speed plays a factor in their success.

none of todays elite pitchers are on that list besides Beckett

[mofome]

none of todays elite pitchers are on that list besides Beckett

Volquez and Lincecum are each in the top 3 in ERA. Volquez, Lincecum, Jackson, and Santana are each in the top 20 in WPA. Speed is not the #1 factor in pitching, but it is certainly not useless.

[5 star bomb]

Speed doesnt mean much. It is more about location, and movement MJF is right. Ask any hitter and he would much rather face a straight 97 mph fastball rather than a moving 91 mph fastball

[The HG]

Interesting list. I'm very curious to see the bottom 10, and also the middle 10, assuming a minimum number or pitches or innings pitched, of course.

mofo, please post if you have this info.

[mofome]

Interesting list. I'm very curious to see the bottom 10, and also the middle 10, assuming a minimum number or pitches or innings pitched, of course.

mofo, please post if you have this info.

The bottom 10, excluding wakefield:


Jamie Moyer Phillies 80.8
Greg Maddux Padres 83.1
Barry Zito Giants 83.8
Livan Hernandez Twins 84.1
Paul Byrd Indians 85.0
Mike Mussina Yankees 85.1
Kenny Rogers Tigers 85.5
Mark Buehrle White Sox 86.0
Jeff Francis Rockies 86.1
Ted Lilly Cubs 86.3

[5 star bomb]

The bottom 10, excluding wakefield:


Jamie Moyer Phillies 80.8
Greg Maddux Padres 83.1
Barry Zito Giants 83.8
Livan Hernandez Twins 84.1
Paul Byrd Indians 85.0
Mike Mussina Yankees 85.1
Kenny Rogers Tigers 85.5
Mark Buehrle White Sox 86.0
Jeff Francis Rockies 86.1
Ted Lilly Cubs 86.3

This list proves my point. The best pitcher of the steroid generation is on this list. Greg Maddux, also many of those pitchers are declining right now but have had great careers.... Mussina, Moyer, Livan, Buehrle, and Zito had a good run in Oakland. Movement and location is 10x more important than speed

[mofome]

This list proves my point. The best pitcher of the steroid generation is on this list. Greg Maddux, also many of those pitchers are declining right now but have had great careers.... Mussina, Moyer, Livan, Buehrle, and Zito had a good run in Oakland. Movement and location is 10x more important than speed

Not sure how it proves your point, these pitchers have not been good in 2008. Zito was good in oakland, Zito was not throwing 83mph in Oakland. Almost the opposite of what was suggested by those who claim velocity matters little.

[BigOrangeTitans]

This is strictly based on average MPH:

1. Dustin McGowan Blue Jays 95.1
2. Felix Hernandez Mariners 94.7
3. Josh Beckett Red Sox 94.7
4. Tim Lincecum Giants 94.3
5. A.J. Burnett Blue Jays 94.2
6. Ubaldo Jimenez Rockies 94.1
7. Ervin Santana Angels 94.0
8. Edwin Jackson Rays 93.6
   
9. Johnny Cueto Reds 93.2
10. Edinson Volquez Reds 93.2

I hope its rollin today!

[5 star bomb]

Not sure how it proves your point, these pitchers have not been good in 2008. Zito was good in oakland, Zito was not throwing 83mph in Oakland. Almost the opposite of what was suggested by those who claim velocity matters little.

Maddux best pitcher in last 20 years. Case closed

[mofome]

Maddux best pitcher in last 20 years. Case closed

Maddux is not the best pitcher right now. Case closed, but not by you.

[5 star bomb]

Maddux is not the best pitcher right now. Case closed, but not by you.

Ya but you dont make sense Mo.... Maddux has NEVER had a dominating fastball. So whether it is now or 10 years ago who cares? He is the best pitcher in the last 20 years. I know hes not the best right now but location and movement mean a hell of a lot more than speed. Ask any pro hitter and they will tell you that

[mofome]

Ya but you dont make sense Mo.... Maddux has NEVER had a dominating fastball. So whether it is now or 10 years ago who cares? He is the best pitcher in the last 20 years. I know hes not the best right now but location and movement mean a hell of a lot more than speed. Ask any pro hitter and they will tell you that

ah yes, because one example proves your point? You have one great pitcher vs how many? Maddux is very much the exception and not the rule. I have not struggled to make sense in this thread, ive done nothing more than point out a few obvious facts.

i have not once stated that speed was more important than location, so im not sure why you continue to harp on that point. I will, however, point out that not many 60mph well located fast balls last a long time in the majors. if you can throw 98 every time and have no idea where its going, you're going to be better than someone who throws 78mph all day and can 'hit his spots'.

[5 star bomb]

60 mph? I threw 60 when I was like 10. What mlb players are throwing 60? I am simply saying a 90 mph fastball with movement and location is much better than a straight 97mph

[Deuce]

Verlander hit 103MPH. I wish he could do it all the time.

[Dashwood Clipper]

Verlander hit 103MPH. I wish he could do it all the time.

Verlander is also 2-8. Jesse Litsch isnt a power pitcher, but is 7-1 with a 3.18 ERA, great movement and constantly jamming and breaking bats.

[mofome]

60 mph? I threw 60 when I was like 10. What mlb players are throwing 60? I am simply saying a 90 mph fastball with movement and location is much better than a straight 97mph

Not much of a point.

[mofome]

Verlander is also 2-8. Jesse Litsch isnt a power pitcher, but is 7-1 with a 3.18 ERA, great movement and constantly jamming and breaking bats.

Verlanders FB is 93.1 on average this year which is down for him. His Ks are also way down while his walks are up. Hes hurtin.

[BigOrangeTitans]

Cueto is smoking fools right now.

Braves cant get it out of the infield....

[5 star bomb]

Not much of a point.

You havent made sense in this whole thread dude. Movement amd location much more important thats the bottom line whether you want to sugar coat it or not and try to make yourself sound like you are right. you are wrong

[Dashwood Clipper]

Verlanders FB is 93.1 on average this year which is down for him. His Ks are also way down while his walks are up. Hes hurtin.

I am a believer in that there is two types of pitcher. There is a pitcher, and a thrower. A pitcher in his purest form will rely on all of his "stuff" to get him through an outing, where a thrower is reliant on his fastball to get out of trouble. A 96-98mph heater is going to get a thrower through 5-6 innings, but a pitcher that is locating, changing speeds, and commanding the plate can take a game over. That is just my own opinion though.

[Thor4140]

Maddux best pitcher in last 20 years. Case closed

Maddux in his day was throwing 93 94

[donjuan]

Maddux best pitcher in last 20 years. Case closed

No he's not and it's not close.

[donjuan]

It should be noted that Lincecum is throwing that heat with 2 seamers, not 4 seamers, so his fastballs have a lot of movement.

[mofome]

You havent made sense in this whole thread dude. Movement amd location much more important thats the bottom line whether you want to sugar coat it or not and try to make yourself sound like you are right. you are wrong

no, you have not made any sense, 'dude'. You reference Zito having success in Oakland, but in Oak his fb was better. Thats the point. 97 with movement is better than 87 with movement, velocity matters. People that want to sound like they know about baseball recycle the same things. You are wrong, this is not an uncommon theme for you. If location was so much more important, you would have girls tossing balls on the corners all day. 90mph with movement is better than 97 without it, no shtt. 97 with no movement it better than 80 without it. 97 with some sharp movement it better than 75 with a bigger break. you're not telling me anything, im not asking you any questions. Your statement was 'speed doesn't mean much', that is incorrect. Not many guys throwing 100 mph in the minors, there are plenty throwing 80 with location, however.

later

[tacomax]

Maddux best pitcher in last 20 years. Case closed

Maddux is the best pitcher in the last 20 years; but only in that parallel universe where you are banging that chick in your avatar.

[5 star bomb]

Maddux in his day was throwing 93 94

not consistently no he wasnt

[BigOrangeTitans]

Cueto has thrown a no hitter through 4 and looks better than any of these guys (today).

How about we quit arguing over cokk size and talk about some real baseball

[mofome]

Maddux in his day was throwing 93 94

Maddux has lost velocity and is now worse without what he used to have. Maddux has not lost his control, but his era has been over 4.00 each of the last 4 years.

[5 star bomb]

Maddux is the best pitcher in the last 20 years; but only in that parallel universe where you are banging that chick in your avatar.

never said i was banging her, Maddux is the best pitcher last 20 years and he didnt take roids like Clemens

[mofome]

No he's not and it's not close.

[Thor4140]

not consistently no he wasnt

Dude i watched all his playoff games against the Phils and he was hitting 93 94 all game long. He just throws a ton of changeups and of course he had fantastic location. Were the guns juiced i have no idea. Can i prove it? Not sure but i know what those guns said. I used to think "how the hell can't anyone hit this guy" then was shock to see him get the ball to 94 because it never looked that fast. then again he threw a ton of changeups.

[ryanXL977]

maddux is better than unit and pedro?