Hubbry Logo
Split-finger fastballSplit-finger fastballMain
Open search
Split-finger fastball
Community hub
Split-finger fastball
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Split-finger fastball
Split-finger fastball
Split-finger fastball
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

A split-finger fastball or splitter is an off-speed pitch in baseball that initially looks like a fastball from the batters perspective, but then drops suddenly. Derived from the forkball, it is aptly named because the pitcher puts the index and middle finger on different sides of the ball.[1]

History

[edit]

The splitter grew out of a much older pitch, the forkball, which was first used in the major leagues in the 1920s.[2] The modern splitter is often credited to baseball coach Fred Martin, who threw the pitch in the minor leagues as a changeup of sorts. When a young Bruce Sutter returned from surgery to find his fastball had lost velocity, Martin taught Sutter the pitch.[3] Sutter's success as a closer helped popularize the pitch.

Another early proponent of the splitter was Roger Craig, a pitcher-turned-manager, in the 1980s. He taught it to a number of pitchers on the teams he coached, the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants.[2] Longtime player and manager Mike Scioscia called the splitter "the pitch of the '80s."[1]

The splitter eventually lost popularity in MLB after concerns arose that extensive use of the pitch could rob pitchers of fastball speed[4] and increase injury risk[5] Several major league teams discourage pitching prospects from throwing or learning the pitch.[1] In 2011, only 15 starting pitchers used it as part of their regular repertoire.[6] Splitter usage has begun to see a resurgence in the 2020s, with little research indicating support for the increased injury risk, and the MLB success of Japanese splitter-throwers from NPB, where the splitter has long been a primary pitch, as key factors.[5]

Purpose and technique

[edit]

The main purpose of the split-fingered pitch is for the pitcher to make the batter believe it will be a fastball in the strike zone. Then, at the last second, the pitch dips down, which causes the batter to either swing over the pitch or ground it weakly into the infield.[7][8]

The split-finger grip is similar to the forkball grip. However, the forkball is held further back and wider between the fingers and is usually thrown with a wrist flip that makes it slower than the splitter.[9] The split-finger is often recommended as an alternative to breaking pitches to young players because of its simplicity and the significantly reduced risk of injury.

An off-speed pitch, the splitter is generally thrown slower than the pitcher's fastball. According to PITCHf/x, the average four-seam fastball from a right-handed pitcher in 2010 was 92 mph, whereas the average splitter was 85 mph and the average changeup 83 mph.[10]

The motion of a split-finger pitch is similar to the outlawed spitball and at one time the pitch was known as the "dry spitter". When thrown, the pitcher must emphasize the downward pull of the pitch at the end of his motion.[11][12] Thrusting the hand and forearm downward causes reduced backspin relative to a fastball, thus giving the appearance of "drop off the table" movement from the pitch. When thrown correctly, the split-finger's apparent last-second drop causes many batters to hit the top half of the baseball, thereby inducing a ground ball.[13][8] The split-finger fastball is a very effective pitch with runners on base; a common tactic is using the split-finger to cause the batter to hit into a double play. The disadvantage of using a splitter with runners on base is that the extreme downward trajectory of the pitch could land the ball into the dirt, and cause a wild pitch to advance the runners; a pitcher must trust their catcher when throwing it.[14][15]

Notable splitter pitchers

[edit]

1970s and 1980s

[edit]
  • Bruce Sutter, a Hall of Fame inductee, was a dominant closer in the 1970s and '80s and made heavy use of the split-finger pitch. He won the 1979 Cy Young and became the only National League pitcher to lead the league in saves 5 times.[16][17]
  • Jack Morris learned the pitch from Roger Craig in 1980, and it became an effective "out" pitch for the hurler for his 18-year Hall of Fame career.[18]
  • Mike Scott also learned the pitch from Craig after the 1984 season, and it turned his career around; he became one of the most dominant pitchers in the 1980s. He won the 1986 NL Cy Young Award and posted a league-leading 306 strikeouts that year.[19]
  • Dave Stewart was known for his blazing fastball, but had a mostly inconsistent major league career until he learned the splitter after signing with the Oakland Athletics in 1986. He would go on to have 4 consecutive 20 win seasons from 1987 to 1990.[20]

1990s

[edit]
  • Roger Clemens in the 1980s primarily threw a fastball in the high 90s along with a hard breaking slider. By the 1990s, he began heavily featuring a splitter he called "Mr. Splitty". It would become his main strikeout pitch. Clemens is often cited as having perhaps the most devastating splitter in baseball history due to its movement and velocity.[21]
  • David Cone had a variety of elite breaking pitches, including a cutter, curveball, and slider. But in the 1990s, his splitter became his most dangerous and main strikeout pitch when ahead in the count.[22]
  • Kevin Appier with a motion being described as "herky-jerky", used a devastating slider and splitter combo to become one of the top starters in the 1990s.[23]
  • Hideo Nomo mastered the splitter in Japan, and it was known for the amount of movement it could generate. He could also change speeds on his splitter and would use it as his main off-speed pitch. He won the Rookie of the Year Award while also leading the NL in strikeouts in 1995.[24] The effect, Nomomania, is named after him by the USA media for his noteworthy impact in the baseball.
  • Curt Schilling learned the pitch in his late 20s while on the Philadelphia Phillies. For the first 8 years of his career, he was not known as a strikeout pitcher. But after featuring the pitch starting in the 1996 season, he became one of the top strikeout pitchers of all time, totaling 3,116 for his career.[25]

2000s

[edit]
  • Randy Johnson developed a splitter later in his career after losing some of his fastball velocity. He used the pitch as a slower offspeed pitch to contrast with his sweeping and harder slider. It became a key pitch for him, especially during his four Cy Young Award-winning years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including his 2001 World Series co-MVP performance.[26]
  • Dan Haren was a three-time all-star and used the splitter as his main strikeout pitch. The majority of his splitters were thrown with two strikes.[27]
  • John Smoltz was known for having one of the best sliders in baseball history, but he relied increasingly on a splitter later in his career. He featured the splitter heavily in his four-year run as the Atlanta Braves' closer from 2001 to 2004. He kept using the pitch in his return as a dominant starter from 2005 until the end of his career in 2009.[28]
  • Kazuhiro Sasaki possessed a dominant splitter that was nicknamed "The Thang" by the Seattle Mariners radio announcers. He was one of the top closers in MLB for his four years with the Mariners.[29]

2010s

[edit]
  • Masahiro Tanaka brought his devastating splitter from Japan and it dominated MLB hitters from 2014 to 2020 with the NY Yankees. He represented the trend in the 2010s when the pitch was mostly used by pitchers who came over from Japan, since the pitch had fallen out of favor in MLB since the late 1990s and early 2000s due to injury concerns.[30]
  • Hisashi Iwakuma was a soft-tossing righty for the Seattle Mariners who finished 3rd in the AL Cy Young voting in 2013, and whose splitter was considered his main pitch.[31][32]
  • Koji Uehara pitched 21 years between Nippon Professional Baseball and MLB and mainly featured a splitter.[33][34]
  • Shohei Ohtani is known for his splitter that is said to "fall off a table". His splitter was considered one of the most unhittable pitches in baseball after his first season pitching for the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.[35]

2020s

[edit]
  • Kevin Gausman has used a splitter from the start of his MLB career in 2013, but began using it as up to 40% of his pitches in 2020. His use of the splitter greatly increased his strikeout totals, leading to him making two all-star teams and becoming one of the better pitchers of the 2020s.[36][37][38][39]
  • Casey Mize uses a hard splitter with excellent control as his strikeout pitch. Mize was the first player taken in the 2018 MLB draft. His dominant use of the pitch in college at Auburn and his selection as the first pick in the draft indicated the splitter was starting to become more in vogue again, and some of the fears of the 1990s and 2000s about it had subsided.[40][41][42]
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto utilized his splitter to become one of the premier pitchers in Japan before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. His splitter, often clocking 92–93 mph, has been a key component of his pitching arsenal. In a 2023 interview, Roger Clemens remarked that Yamamoto's splitter reminded him of his own, noting similarities in movement and velocity.[43]
  • Roki Sasaki primarily features a fastball and splitter, with the latter drawing significant attention as a potential game-changing pitch in Major League Baseball. His splitter has been described as "unlike any MLB pitch we've seen before," exhibiting extremely low spin rates and dramatic late movement that confounds hitters. In his spring training outings for the Dodgers, Sasaki's splitter achieved an 83% whiff rate, with 10 swings and misses out of 12 swings, and six of nine plate appearances ending in strikeouts via the splitter.[44][45]
  • Fernando Cruz's splitter has been described as "unhittable", and he credits his MLB career to learning the pitch.[46][47][48]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Split-finger fastball

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The split-finger fastball, commonly referred to as the splitter, is an in designed to deceive hitters by resembling a standard in arm action and release but sharply dropping as it nears the plate, often inducing swings over the ball or weak contact. This pitch typically travels 5 to 10 slower than a pitcher's primary , with velocities often in the low-90s for major league hurlers, and its movement stems from reduced backspin caused by the unique grip, leading to a tumbling effect rather than a clean descent. To throw a splitter, the pitcher grips the baseball by spreading the index and middle fingers wide in a "V" shape on opposite sides of the ball—frequently placing them just outside the seams—with the thumb positioned underneath for support, applying lighter pressure to allow the ball to rotate off the fingers with minimal wrist snap. Unlike the related forkball, which requires a deeper insertion between the fingers and more pronation, the splitter is held higher on the fingers and thrown with fastball-like mechanics, emphasizing arm speed to maintain deception while the ball dives late in its flight path. This grip evolved from the forkball, an earlier off-speed pitch dating back to the early 20th century, but the splitter's shallower hold reduces strain on the hand and forearm, making it more accessible for pitchers. The modern splitter traces its origins to 1973, when Chicago Cubs minor league pitching instructor Fred Martin taught the grip to prospect Bruce Sutter during his recovery from elbow surgery, adapting elements of the forkball to create a pitch with enhanced drop and control. Sutter quickly mastered and popularized the pitch, using it to become a dominant closer who amassed 300 career saves, won the 1979 National League Cy Young Award, and helped the St. Louis Cardinals to the 1982 World Series title, earning induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 as the first pitcher without a major league start. Dubbed "the pitch of the '80s" by Sports Illustrated in 1986, the splitter gained widespread use through pitchers like Roger Clemens, who threw it en route to seven Cy Young Awards, Jack Morris, a key figure in the Detroit Tigers' 1984 championship rotation, and Mike Scott, whose splitter fueled his 1986 NL Cy Young-winning season with the Houston Astros. In contemporary , the splitter remains a potent weapon despite concerns over potential arm stress in youth leagues, with notable practitioners including , whose version generated exceptional swinging-strike rates in his 2018 major league debut, and Japanese imports like , who relied on it for pinpoint control during his MLB tenure. While less common than in the —appearing in about 3-5% of pitches league-wide in recent seasons—the splitter's effectiveness in generating ground balls and strikeouts has seen a resurgence, particularly among relievers seeking late movement to complement high-velocity fastballs. As of the 2025 season, splitter usage reached 3.3% league-wide, an all-time high.

Fundamentals

Definition and Purpose

The split-finger fastball, commonly referred to as the splitter, is an that functions as a variation of the , gripped by spreading the index and middle fingers wide apart on opposite sides of the , typically outside the seams. This positioning reduces backspin on the ball, imparting a sharp downward break that becomes pronounced near the plate, distinguishing it from straighter paths. The primary purpose of the split-finger fastball is to deceive hitters by replicating the arm speed, release point, and initial velocity profile of a , only to drop abruptly late in its flight, causing batters to swing over the top of the pitch. This movement often results in swing-and-miss strikeouts or ground-ball contact, as the late dive disrupts the batter's swing plane and induces weak hits. Distinguished from the related by its shallower finger insertion—positioned higher on the fingertips with minimal wrist snap rather than a deeper jam and forceful pronation—the split-finger fastball achieves greater as a result. It typically averages 85-89 mph, faster than the forkball's range of approximately 81-85 mph, allowing it to maintain more fastball-like deception while still providing significant drop. Within a pitcher's arsenal, the split-finger fastball acts as a key change-of-pace offering to interrupt hitters' timing, complementing faster pitches by varying speed and movement profiles. Compared to the changeup, it exhibits less velocity differential but prioritizes vertical drop over the changeup's typical arm-side run.

Grip and Throwing Technique

The split-finger fastball, or splitter, is gripped by placing the index and middle fingers spread wide apart on opposite sides of the baseball's seams, typically forming a V-shape around the ball's equator in a two-seam orientation, while the thumb is positioned underneath for support and the ring and pinky fingers rest along the side or bottom to provide stability without applying pressure. This grip relies on light fingertip pressure to facilitate pronation at release, which minimizes backspin and enhances the pitch's downward movement, distinguishing it from a standard fastball grip. The throwing technique mirrors the arm speed, slot, and overall motion of a to maintain , with the delivering the from the same arm angle and release point to disguise its off-speed nature. At release, the is allowed to "slip" off the inside of the fingertips with a subtle pronation or downward pull of the fingers, avoiding any snap or twist that could impart unwanted spin, which results in low rotation rates of 600–1,000 RPM and promotes the pitch's signature drop. Variations in the grip accommodate differences in hand size and desired movement; for instance, a "shallow" splitter features fingers less widely split for increased and less break, while a "deep" version, akin to a , involves greater separation for sharper drop, and adjustments like offsetting the grip or hiking the thumb can improve control for pitchers with smaller hands. Notable examples include Kevin Gausman's variation, where additional fingers rest on top for a more secure feel without altering the core split. Common errors in execution include squeezing the ball too tightly, which increases spin and causes the pitch to "hang" flat without dropping, or releasing with the fingertips rather than the insides, reducing the intended vertical break. Improper seam orientation, such as not aligning the split with the horseshoe seams, can also lead to inconsistent spin and diminished effectiveness, emphasizing the need for relaxed pressure and precise finger placement.

Physics and Movement

Aerodynamic Principles

The split-finger fastball derives its distinctive downward movement from a pronated release that imparts reduced backspin compared to a . This pronation involves a downward of the hand and at release, which minimizes the rotational around the horizontal axis, resulting in spin rates typically around 1,300 RPM for the splitter (MLB average 1,302 RPM as of 2024) versus approximately 2,200 RPM for a . The reduced backspin diminishes the effect's upward lift, allowing gravity to dominate the pitch's path more than in a . The force, which acts perpendicular to the and spin vectors, is proportional to the spin rate and ; with lower spin, this force is weaker, amplifying gravitational pull. Furthermore, the splitter's grip and seam orientation often produce a seam-shifted wake—an asymmetric pressure distribution behind the ball caused by the raised seams disrupting unevenly—which contributes to additional vertical drop, up to 15-20 inches more than a . Thrown at velocities around 85 mph (MLB average as of ), the splitter mimics the arm action of a to deceive batters, while the finger split increases drag by altering the ball's surface flow, further aiding the drop without excessive horizontal deviation. The vertical displacement can be approximated by the equation for adjusted for aerodynamic forces: Δz≈12gt2+∫FMm dt\Delta z \approx \frac{1}{2} g t^2 + \int \frac{F_M}{m} \, dt where gg is gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²), tt is flight time (approximately 0.4 seconds for a typical splitter), FMF_M is the residual Magnus force (minimized by low spin), and mm is the ball's mass; this highlights how reduced spin limits the upward FMF_M, enhancing the gravitational term.

Pitch Trajectory and Deception

The split-finger fastball follows a trajectory that begins with an elevated, straight path resembling a conventional fastball, only to exhibit a late, sharp downward "tumble" or "drop off the table" as it nears the plate. This movement typically induces 10-15 inches of vertical break (negative induced vertical break), far exceeding the natural gravitational drop, while horizontal movement remains minimal at 1-3 inches toward the pitcher's arm side (MLB averages as of 2024). The aerodynamic principles of reduced backspin, as discussed in pitch physics, contribute to this pronounced vertical descent by minimizing lift and allowing gravity to dominate later in flight. Deception is central to the pitch's effectiveness, stemming from its visual and perceptual similarity to a during the early stages of release and flight. Thrown with identical arm speed and action, the splitter creates an arm-side illusion, fooling hitters into expecting a straight path until the low spin rate—typically around 1,300 RPM—causes an optical "fall" effect due to the ball's altered release angle and diminished force. This late revelation disrupts timing, as the ball appears to maintain fastball-like speed until the final 20-30 feet, where the drop becomes evident. In gameplay, the splitter is released from a height of approximately 6 feet, mimicking a 's initial trajectory before peaking around the midway point and plummeting sharply toward the lower . This path targets the knees or below, encouraging hitters to chase pitches outside the zone as the ball dives unpredictably. Relative to similar off-speed pitches, the split-finger fastball produces more vertical drop than a , which emphasizes arm-side fade with less descent, but less extreme tumble than a , known for its deeper insertion and sharper plunge. Compared to a standard , it travels 7-10 mph slower—often in the mid-80s for pitchers whose fastballs exceed 90 mph—while exhibiting break in the opposite direction due to its tumbling action.

Historical Development

Origins in Early Baseball

The split-finger fastball traces its roots to the early 20th century through the , a precursor pitch that emerged during the and gained prominence in the 1920s. Pitcher Bullet Joe Bush, a right-hander for teams including the New York Yankees, is widely credited with developing and popularizing the as an alternative to his after arm soreness limited his breaking pitches; he gripped the ball deeply between his index and middle fingers to produce a sharp downward drop. This grip allowed for movement akin to the banned without foreign substances, serving as a legal evolution following Major League Baseball's 1920 prohibition of saliva or emollients on the ball, which had been outlawed after the 1920 death of Cleveland Indians shortstop from a . By the 1940s and 1950s, the saw experimental use in and sporadic major league appearances, often as a or to disrupt hitters' timing with its late dive. Pitchers such as Tiny Bonham of the New York Yankees and Hub Kittle in the employed the effectively during this period, with Kittle's wide finger spread—six and a half inches—enabling pronounced break. Russ Kemmerer, who debuted in 1954, described his as a "split-finger" , highlighting the blurring lines between the pitches as early adopters refined grips for better and deception. A key figure in the pitch's pre-modern refinement was Fred Martin, a minor league pitcher and coach active in the 1950s, who developed the modern split-finger fastball by adjusting the forkball's grip to a shallower split between the index and middle fingers, thrown with fastball arm speed for enhanced disguise and drop. Martin's innovation provided a clean alternative to illegal doctored pitches like the , achieving similar late-breaking movement through alone; he later taught this version to prospects in the Chicago Cubs system. Brooklyn Dodgers reliever also threw an early variant in the 1950s, dubbed the "dry spitter" for its spitball-like tumble without moisture, underscoring the pitch's role as a transitional tool in post-ban pitching arsenals. These mid-century experiments laid the groundwork for the split-finger's later prominence, emphasizing finger pressure and release over substances for the signature plummeting trajectory.

Popularization and Decline

The split-finger fastball gained prominence in during the 1970s through the success of relief pitcher , who learned the pitch from Chicago Cubs minor league instructor Fred Martin in 1973 while recovering from an arm injury. Sutter debuted in the majors with the Cubs on May 9, 1976, and quickly established himself as a dominant closer, relying heavily on the splitter for its sharp downward movement. Over his 12-year career, Sutter amassed 300 saves, including five seasons leading the National League, which helped popularize the pitch among aspiring hurlers seeking an effective off-speed option. By the 1980s, the splitter reached its zenith as a mainstream weapon, largely due to the efforts of pitching coach Roger Craig, who joined the Detroit Tigers in 1980 and taught the grip to key staff members like . Craig's instruction emphasized the pitch's deceptive drop, turning it into a staple for the champion Tigers rotation. Usage exploded, according to contemporary analysis. This era's dominance was exemplified by Houston Astros right-hander Mike Scott, who refined the pitch under Craig's guidance and won the National League in 1986 after leading the league with a 2.22 ERA and 306 strikeouts. The pitch's popularity waned in the 1990s and 2000s amid growing concerns over its physical toll, particularly elbow strain from the deep finger spread in the grip, which placed excessive stress on the and . High-profile injuries among splitter users, such as those plaguing the Giants' staff in the early 1990s under Craig's management, fueled perceptions of heightened risk, contributing to associations with the rising Tommy John surgery epidemic. Pitchers also experienced notable velocity loss after age 30, exacerbating command issues and shortening careers. By 2010, usage had plummeted to less than 5% of all pitches thrown in MLB, as teams shifted away from the "risky" offering during the steroid era, when power hitting favored high-velocity fastballs over finesse pitches. A partial resurgence occurred in 1995 with Japanese import , whose devastating splitter powered a of the Year campaign for the , striking out 236 batters en route to a 2.54 ERA.

Recent Resurgence

In the , the split-finger fastball has experienced a notable revival in , driven largely by the influx of pitchers from Japan's (NPB) league, who have brought refined versions of the pitch to the majors. Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 2024 MLB debut with the exemplified this trend, as he incorporated his signature splitter—thrown at velocities up to 90 mph with sharp downward break—into 24.2% of his pitches, contributing to a 3.00 ERA in his rookie season. Analytics from data highlight the pitch's effectiveness, with a whiff rate of 38.6% and overall ground ball rate of 48.3%. Usage trends among MLB pitchers climbed steadily, from roughly 2% of total pitches in 2015 to 3.1% in 2024 and 3.3% in 2025, reflecting broader adoption fueled by data-driven coaching and the success of NPB imports. This integration was particularly evident with Roki Sasaki's 2025 transition to the Dodgers, where his low-spin splitter (averaging 570 rpm and 89 mph) generated high swinging strike rates during postseason play. No new bans on the pitch have been imposed by MLB, allowing its continued evolution. Technological advancements have further supported this resurgence by mitigating traditional risks associated with the splitter's unpredictable drop. The introduction of PitchCom in 2022 has streamlined catcher-pitcher communication, reducing the potential for misaligned calls on low pitches and thereby lowering wild pitch incidents. Similarly, the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system, approved for 2026 implementation following 2025 minor league testing, promises more accurate framing of borderline splitters, enhancing their strategic viability. Biomechanical training innovations have also boosted average splitter velocity to 87 mph in 2024, up from sub-85 mph in prior decades, allowing pitchers to maintain deception without sacrificing speed. Japanese pitchers have dominated the splitter's top-tier usage, as seen in the arsenals of , Sasaki, and Shota Imanaga. This influence peaked in the 2025 postseason, where splitters accounted for 6% of all pitches—the highest rate since tracking began—underscoring their role in high-stakes success. A standout example is Twins reliever Jhoan Duran's splitter, which reached 100 mph five times in 2025, blending Japanese-inspired tumble with elite velocity for a .220 opponent .

Notable Pitchers

Pioneers and 1980s Stars

emerged as the preeminent pioneer of the split-fingered fastball in the late 1970s and early 1980s, mastering the pitch under minor league coach Fred Martin and transforming it into his primary weapon as a for the Cubs. Throwing the splitter up to 90% of the time at his peak, Sutter relied on its sharp downward break to dominate hitters, earning the National League in 1979 with a 2.22 ERA, 37 saves, and 110 strikeouts over 101 1/3 innings. His career totals included 300 saves across 661 appearances, a 2.83 ERA, and five selections, culminating in his 2006 induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame as the only pitcher enshrined primarily for his relief work with the splitter. Sutter's success helped redefine the closer role, emphasizing high-leverage specialization in the . Former pitcher Roger Craig played a pivotal role in spreading the splitter's adoption during the as a coach and manager, particularly with the Giants and Tigers, where he taught the grip to several key hurlers. Craig instructed on the pitch in the early 1980s, Morris to the Tigers' en route to their title and later contribute to the 1991 championship with . Similarly, Craig tutored Mike Scott, who transformed into a artist after learning the splitter; in 1986, Scott won the NL Cy Young Award with an 18-10 record, a 2.22 ERA, and a major-league-leading 306 strikeouts for the Houston Astros. Scott's dominance that year, including a to clinch the NL West, showcased the pitch's potential for starters as well as relievers. Among other prominent 1980s users, Dave Stewart integrated a deep-fingered variant of the splitter—often described as a forkball—into his arsenal with the Oakland Athletics, complementing his intimidating fastball and stare-down mound presence. Learned from Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax in 1982, Stewart's splitter helped fuel four 20-win seasons from 1987 to 1990, including 21 victories in 1988 and 1989, while leading the A's to three straight American League pennants and the 1989 World Series title. The splitter's widespread use in the decade, propelled by figures like Sutter and Craig, marked a bullpen revolution by prioritizing specialized, high-strikeout relief arms over traditional multi-inning workhorses, influencing the era's shift toward one-inning closers and postseason intensity. Sutter's Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2006 underscored the pitch's lasting legacy in elevating relief pitching to stardom.

1990s-2000s Users

During the and , the split-finger fastball transitioned from a dominant pitch to a tool for veteran pitchers adapting to physical decline, allowing several aging aces to extend their careers through enhanced deception rather than raw power. , nicknamed "Mr. Splitty" for his signature splitter learned in 1986, relied heavily on the pitch in his later years to generate strikeouts despite diminishing velocity. Over his 1986-2007 career, Clemens amassed 354 wins, seven Awards, and 4,672 strikeouts, with the splitter proving crucial for late-career dominance by mimicking his before diving sharply. His fastball velocity, which peaked around 95 mph in the 1980s, had dropped to the high 80s by the 2000s, yet the splitter's effectiveness compensated for this, enabling sustained excellence into his 40s. Hideo Nomo emerged as a 1995 rookie sensation for the , bridging Japanese pitching influences to with his devastating splitter paired to a low-90s . In that debut season, Nomo recorded 13 wins and a league-leading 236 strikeouts, earning honors and Rookie of the Year accolades while captivating fans with his tornado-like delivery and the pitch's sharp drop. His success highlighted the splitter's international appeal during an era of growing cross-cultural exchange in baseball. Other prominent users included , who co-won the MVP with the Diamondbacks, utilizing his splitter as an out pitch located low in the zone to rack up swinging strikes in high-stakes games. Randy , a five-time winner, incorporated the splitter later in his career as an offspeed complement to his , forming the core of his arsenal and contributing to his record 4,875 strikeouts across 22 seasons. , the 1996 National League recipient with the , featured an 88-91 mph splitter alongside his and , which helped him achieve 24 wins that year and adapt seamlessly from starter to closer. These pitchers exemplified the era's trend, where the splitter's deceptive motion allowed veterans to maintain productivity amid the pitch's overall decline in usage, often serving as a primary weapon for ground balls and whiffs when velocity waned.

Modern and Japanese Influencers

In the 2020s, emerged as a leading proponent of the split-finger fastball in , incorporating it as a primary pitch in his arsenal. By 2024, Gausman utilized the splitter for 25.3% of his pitches, contributing to his overall effectiveness as a starter despite a season of 3.83. His reliance on the pitch, which he refined for greater deception against right-handed batters, helped sustain his status as a top-tier rotation anchor, with earlier seasons like 2023 showing even higher usage rates around 31%. Japanese pitchers have significantly influenced the modern resurgence of the split-finger fastball, bringing refined techniques from (NPB) to MLB. debuted in MLB with the New York Yankees in , employing the splitter at a 25.3% usage rate as his second-most frequent pitch, which helped him post a 2.77 in his rookie season and establish it as a cornerstone of his command-oriented style. , the elite two-way player, has integrated the splitter into his pitching repertoire from 2021 through 2025, though usage varied; in 2021, it averaged 89.9 mph with exceptional whiff rates, while by 2025 it dropped to about 5% of pitches but retained its role in postseason scenarios for tunneling with his fastball. , upon joining the in 2024, threw the splitter at nearly 25% usage, limiting opponents to a .170 against it en route to a 3.00 over 90 . Roki Sasaki made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2025, featuring a distinctive low-spin splitter averaging around 88 mph that complemented his high-90s , contributing to his rapid transition as a high-leverage reliever with shutdown in key . Beyond Japanese imports, several American and international pitchers have elevated the splitter's profile through velocity and precision innovations. Jhoan Duran, the 2025 All-Star closer for the Philadelphia Phillies, stands out with a splitter averaging 97.7 mph—reaching 100 mph five times that season—making it the hardest such pitch in MLB history and a devastating complement to his triple-digit fastball. Shota Imanaga, another NPB import with the Chicago Cubs, threw the splitter at a 30.6% rate in 2024, generating a league-leading 47.7% whiff rate and anchoring his 2.91 ERA as a rookie. Joe Ryan of the has emphasized command with his splitter since 2023, refining its velocity to the mid-80s mph and reducing zone percentage to 36.5% in 2024, which enhanced its effectiveness as a chase pitch paired with his elevated four-seamer. These pitchers have driven broader trends in splitter usage, particularly through NPB crossovers that emphasize higher velocities often exceeding 88 mph, achieved via shallower grips for better spin efficiency and late movement. Overall MLB splitter usage rose to 3.3% in 2025 from 3.1% in 2024, with a nearly doubled over the prior four years, largely attributable to imports like and Imanaga who popularized its integration into diverse arsenals.

Usage and Impact

Effectiveness Metrics

The split-finger fastball exhibits notable effectiveness in modern , primarily through its ability to generate swings and misses. In the season, the pitch achieved a weighted average whiff rate of 35.8% across pitchers who threw at least 10 split-fingers, outperforming the league average for off-speed pitches. This high rate of non-contact contributes to a percentage of 30.1% on the pitch, making it a reliable option for accumulating outs via . When put in play, the split-finger fastball limits offensive production effectively. It posted a against of .211 in 2024, well below the .243 league average for all pitches, and a of .344, reflecting suppressed extra-base . The pitch's run value averaged +0.1 per 100 usages, indicating a slight positive contribution to preventing runs compared to neutral expectations, with top users like Shota Imanaga exceeding +4.0 in limited samples. In high-leverage scenarios, such as late innings for closers, the pitch's deployment correlates with enhanced success, as evidenced by its 36.8% whiff rate for s like in relief roles. Contact metrics further underscore the pitch's deceptive drop and weak-contact inducement. Against right-handed batters, it generated a 28% swing-and-miss rate in aggregate samples, while batted balls averaged an exit velocity below 88 mph—approximately 85 mph for optimal examples—leading to a hard-hit rate of just 34.2%. This low exit velocity aligns with the pitch's trajectory, which mimics a fastball before diving, often resulting in grounders rather than line drives or fly balls. League-wide trends reflect increasing reliance on the split-finger fastball amid its resurgence. Usage reached 3.2% among starting pitchers in 2024, the highest in 14 years, with postseason figures climbing to 6% in 2025. In 2025, overall league-wide usage increased to 3.3%, the highest mark in the pitch-tracking era, driven by its efficacy in two-strike counts where chase rates approached 50% for qualified throwers.

Injury Risks and Bans

The deep grip required for the split-finger fastball places significant stress on the (UCL) of the elbow, as the wide separation of the index and middle fingers reduces resistance against the ball, transferring torque to the medial elbow during release. This biomechanical strain has been linked to higher rates of elbow injuries among frequent users, with studies from the 1990s to 2010s indicating an association between splitter usage and increased incidence of UCL tears necessitating surgery, as pitchers relying on the pitch often exhibited elevated pre-injury velocities that correlated with subsequent reconstruction. Specific risks include hyperextension due to the pitch's pronated action, which can exacerbate valgus stress on the , as well as potential compression leading to numbness and tingling from repetitive deep . Additionally, long-term use has been observed to contribute to cumulative and forearm fatigue from the pitch's demanding mechanics. Today, imposes no outright prohibition on the splitter, though umpires monitor its execution via instant replay to ensure no prohibited grip aids, such as foreign substances, are used to enhance drop. To mitigate these risks, pitchers in the have adopted shallower finger splits and refined mechanics to distribute stress more evenly across the , reducing UCL loading compared to traditional deep-grip variants. MLB's Pitch Smart guidelines, updated through 2025, emphasize proper throwing mechanics, workload limits, and biomechanical training for all pitches, including off-speed offerings like the splitter, to prevent overuse injuries in professional and developmental leagues.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/glossary/pitch-types/splitter
  2. https://baseballhall.org/discover/Sutter-remembered-as-pioneer-of-split-fingered-fastball
  3. https://www.mlb.com/news/splitters-and-sinkers-becoming-more-popular-pitches
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6774061/2025/11/05/mlb-postseason-lessons/
  5. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jhoan-duran-and-the-one-true-split-finger-fastball/
  6. https://www.sportstrace.com/the-splitter-split-finger-fastball-deception-in-the-grip/
  7. https://www.mlb.com/glossary/pitch-types/forkball
  8. https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-yu-darvish-throws-10-different-pitch-types
  9. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/12558/spinning-yarn-the-forkball/
  10. https://www.mlb.com/news/identifying-pitch-types-a-fan-s-guide
  11. https://rocklandpeakperformance.com/how-to-throw-a-splitter/
  12. https://afhbaseball.com/split-fingered-fastball-and-forkball/
  13. https://www.mlb.com/news/roki-sasaki-splitter-looks-elite-after-dodgers-spring-debut
  14. https://www.rotoballer.com/spin-rate-using-sabermetrics-for-2024-fantasy-baseball/1325658
  15. https://baseball.physics.illinois.edu/Magnus.pdf
  16. https://www.americanscientist.org/article/predicting-a-baseballs-path
  17. https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2021/03/the-impact-of-seam-shifted-wakes-on-pitch-quality/
  18. https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-splitter-still-most-unhittable-pitch
  19. https://medium.com/something-tangible/splitters-163827b2aae7
  20. https://rocklandpeakperformance.com/what-makes-kevin-gausmans-splitter-so-effective/
  21. http://spiff.rit.edu/richmond/baseball/traj_may2011/traj.html
  22. https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2017/11/pitch-grips-changing-fastball-spin-rate/
  23. https://grantland.com/the-triangle/forkball-the-other-forgotten-pitch/
  24. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/tiny-bonham/
  25. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/hub-kittle/
  26. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/russ-kemmerer/
  27. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/dictionary-term.php?term=split-fingered%20fastball
  28. https://sports.yahoo.com/roger-craig-coach-taught-split-030743209.html
  29. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bruce-sutter/
  30. https://vault.si.com/vault/1986/06/09/the-pitch-of-the-80s
  31. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/mike-scott/
  32. https://sports.yahoo.com/why-the-splitter-could-flip-from-baseball-taboo-to-popular-experiment-for-mlb-pitchers-233752828.html
  33. https://www.mlb.com/news/hideo-nomo-pioneered-path-to-mlb-in-1995
  34. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/yoshinobu-yamamoto-808967?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/dodgers-game-6-toronto/ZbIYplFzt5Wi/B2wzQ1jSCiAe/
  36. https://www.mlb.com/news/roki-sasaki-bolsters-dodgers-bullpen-in-2025-playoffs
  37. https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026
  38. https://www.mlb.com/news/statcast-spin-rate-compared-to-velocity-c160896926
  39. https://www.si.com/mlb/splitters-dominating-hitters-mlb-playoffs
  40. https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/sutter-bruce
  41. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/sports/baseball/split-finger-fastball-use-of-a-popular-pitch-falls-off-the-table.html
  42. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/roger-craig/
  43. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/11/12/The-split-fingered-fastball-saved-Houston-Astros-pitcher-Mike-Scotts/5143532155600/
  44. https://vault.si.com/vault/1989/10/23/by-any-name-its-hard-to-hit
  45. https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/25/sports/stewart-lowers-speed-and-is-rolling-again.html
  46. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/gausman-yamamoto-splitter-back-spotlight-150222202.html
  47. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clemero02.shtml
  48. https://www.brainerddispatch.com/sports/clemens-has-grip-on-greatness
  49. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story?id=1563691
  50. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nomohi01.shtml
  51. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/sports/baseball/yankees-wonder-if-johnson-will-become-their-schilling.html
  52. https://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=121811
  53. https://tht.fangraphs.com/anatomy-of-a-player-john-smoltz/
  54. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smoltjo01.shtml
  55. http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0128/ClemensReport.pdf
  56. http://www.ussmariner.com/2014/03/11/the-splitter-the-pitch-of-2014/
  57. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kevin-gausman/14107/pitch-type-splits?position=P&data=pfx&pitchtype=FS
  58. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/kevin-gausman-592332
  59. https://grantland.com/the-triangle/pitchcraft-masahiro-tanaka-yankee-split-king/
  60. https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-s-arsenal-keeps-evolving-in-his-first-postseason-pitching
  61. https://www.mlb.com/news/yoshinobu-yamamoto-looks-like-a-cy-young-contender-in-2025
  62. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/yoshinobu-yamamoto-808967
  63. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46488389/mlb-playoffs-2025-los-angeles-dodgers-roki-sasaki-closer-delivery-transformation
  64. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/roki-sasaki-808963
  65. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonyblengino/2025/02/12/cub-southpaw-shota-imanaga-throws-mlbs-best-splitter/
  66. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shota-imanaga/33829/pitch-type-splits?position=P
  67. https://www.twinkietown.com/2024/7/12/24193213/mlb-minnesota-twins-the-adjustments-behind-joe-ryans-level-up
  68. https://zonecoverage.com/2024/mn-twins-news/joe-ryan-has-an-all-star-skillset/
  69. https://dodgersbeat.com/dodgers-analysis-the-split-finger-fastball-secret-weapon-of-the-npb/
  70. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/dodgers-game-6-toronto/ZbIYplFzt5Wi/2yZOgbQhRmqZ/
  71. https://www.forbes.com/sites/danepstein/2025/10/19/trey-yesavage-and-the-blue-jays-are-leading-the-splitter-revolution/
  72. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/pitch-arsenal-stats?type=pitcher&pitchType=FS&year=2024&team=&min=10
  73. https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/know-your-averages-splitter-edition/
  74. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-month-of-the-splitter/
  75. https://www.deseret.com/2011/10/1/20219907/some-mlb-teams-phasing-splitter-out/
  76. https://www.startribune.com/mlb-insider-high-risk-split-finger-fastball-has-its-disciples/393005651
  77. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4910396/
  78. https://pmr.med.ufl.edu/wordpress/files/2022/02/PMR-2022_Zaremski_A-review-of-UE-peripheral-nerve-injuries-in-throwing-athletes.pdf
  79. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5357134/2024/03/21/splitter-pitch-mlb-elbow-injuries/
  80. https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/06/08/mlb-pitch-doctoring-spitballs-1960s-the-opener
  81. https://www.mlb.com/pitch-smart/pitching-guidelines
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.