It’s a lot easier to see the ball coming from a pitcher of the opposite hand — especially breaking pitches, which are easier to hit if they’re coming toward you rather than moving away from you.
In this post
Are lefties better pitchers?
Both left-handed pitchers and batters do better in baseball. Since the majority of hitters are right-handed, lefty pitchers are considered valuable. A curveball from a left-hander breaks inside on a righty – a harder pitch to hit.
Why do left-handed pitchers throw differently?
There are countless ways to move the ball and each pitcher has his own unique way. The increased movement of a left handed pitcher’s fastball is a product of their intent and focus to throw the ball down and away from right handed hitters, plain and simple!
What really gives left-handed pitchers their edge?
The performance metrics all point to the same conclusion: When a left-hander is on the mound, the quality of pitches suffers considerably. This skills gap makes perfect sense given lefties’ overrepresentation relative to their share of the general population.
Why are so many pitchers left-handed?
The favorable angles lefties allow them to throw the ball more quickly across the diamond to second, third and home. Just being different: “Because only 10 percent of the population is left-handed, kids grow up and mature in baseball seeing a left-hander just 10 percent of the time they bat,” he points out.
Why do lefties not play shortstop?
A catcher and shortstop’s mobility is limited by being left-handed. While a right-handed thrower will naturally be in the position to get the ball where it needs to be, a left-handed thrower’s awkward range of motion and form adds precious milliseconds to a play in a game where every tiny thing counts.
Do left-handed pitchers throw slower?
Yes. A few years ago John Dewan found that 63 percent of right-handed pitchers, compared to 29 percent of lefties, have an average fastball velocity over 90mph.
Why do right-handed hitters prefer left-handed pitchers?
A right handed hitter would prefer the ball to be coming from an angle that is closer to first base (a lefty pitcher). This allows more room to “pull” the ball. A right handed pitcher would be releasing the ball closer to third base.
What do you call a left-handed pitcher?
A “southpaw” is a left-handed pitcher.
Why do lefties have smoother swings?
Therefore, he said, left-handed batters can settle in at the plate, rarely having to lunge to reach a pitch over the outside, and rarely having to bail out against a high-and-tight offering. “They can get real comfortable up there,” he said. “Real aggressive. And you can take a nice, natural swing.
Why are there no left-handed catchers?
1. Left-handed throws to second base are adversely affected by right-handed hitters. Controlling the running game is important, and the majority of plate appearances come with a right-hander at the plate. So the assumption is that “throwing through the batter” negatively affects the catcher’s accuracy.
Why do lefties have an advantage in baseball?
Left handed hitters are one step closer to 1st base than right handed hitters. It’s commonly believed that being one step closer to 1st base gives you a better chance of beating out a ground ball in the infield. Every year there are a handful of plays that you are thrown out by a half a step.
Why is it harder for a left-handed batter to hit a left-handed pitcher?
The main reason left-handed hitters prefer to hit against right-handed pitchers is breaking pitches will curve toward the batter, which makes them easier to hit. When a left-handed batter faces a lefty, curve balls bend away. The hitter is likely to take a weaker swing as he lunges after the ball.
What is the best position for a lefty in baseball?
First base is the only position where having a left-handed player is preferred. The left-handed first baseman’s glove is on his right hand and that puts him closer to the fielders when a ball is thrown. It also gives him a better angle when it comes to stretching for the ball and picking up errant throws in the dirt.
Who is the best left-handed pitcher of all time?
Warren Spahn is the best left-handed pitcher of all-time according to some. He holds the record for most wins by a left-handed pitcher. There is an award given out in his honor, the Spahn Award, which goes to the best left-handed pitcher in each league.
What positions can Lefties not play?
While right-handed throwers can be found at any of the nine positions on a baseball field, left-handers are, in practice, restricted to five of them. You won’t find a lefty at catcher, second base, shortstop or third base.
What is the easiest position to play in baseball?
Right field
What is the easiest position in baseball? Right field, and the reason is that because 80% of hitters are right-handed, fewer fly balls will go to right field. Most hitters like to pull the ball and pull the ball when they are fooled by offspeed pitches.
Should a lefty play right field?
Right fielder – The right fielder should preferably be a left-handed thrower so that he can better cover and release the ball that is hit down the right field line. However, the strength of his throwing arm has got to be the most important consideration in placing a young man in right field.
What is the most important position on a baseball team?
The pitcher is the most important position in baseball, without a doubt. Whomever toes the rubber dictates so much of the game that there’s even a timeless phrase thrown around every MLB season: “Pitching wins championships.” That is unless your pitcher is Clayton Kershaw and your team is in the playoffs.
Who is the hardest throwing pitcher in baseball?
Jordan Hicks
If Clase is the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball history, Hicks is an extremely close second. His career average fastball velocity is also 100 mph, and he only loses ground on Clase for lack of recent playing time.
What are the best pitches for a lefty to throw?
Mariano Rivera has one of the best cut fastballs in the game. Running Fastball The running fastball is thrown to move inside from a righty pitcher to righty batter or a lefty to a lefty. This is useful to use when you want to jam a batter of the same handedness as the pitcher. Like the cutter it can break the bat.