The Scariest Fastball Pitchers in MLB: Velocity vs Control
As we delve into the 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, one question stands out above all: who has the scariest fastball? In defining “scary,” it’s important to consider what truly sets a pitcher apart. In my opinion, the most terrifying fastball is one with incredible velocity but no control. A pitcher who consistently throws hard strikes is intimidating for hitters, but a pitcher who is unpredictable and lacks control is truly “scary.” This unpredictability forces batters to constantly be on their toes, never knowing what to expect from one pitch to the next.
Velocity Control: A Fine Balance
On the surface, a pitcher who demonstrates unmatched velocity can be considered intimidating. Take Cody Fryer, for instance. He boasts one of the fastest fastballs in the league, capable of reaching speeds upwards of 100 miles per hour. However, if Fryer can’t control his pitch, batters can still find holes to drive the ball.
On the other hand, a pitcher like Justin Verlander sets the standard for accuracy. He may not throw the hardest fastball, but his ability to throw strikes consistently makes him a formidable opponent. The key difference is that batters can predict the trajectory and location of the ball to some extent, knowing where it’s going to be.
The Unpredictability of Scary Fastballs
The scariest fastballs are those that blend velocity with an element of unpredictability. Pitchers like Cody Fryer and Nathan Knight are often rated highly due to their ability to throw blazingly fast pitches, but if they can’t control where the ball goes, hitting them becomes a much more complicated and daunting task for batters.
Josh Grierson is another example of a pitcher who has the velocity, but his lack of control can turn his fastball into a weapon of mass destruction. His ability to hit the corners and the centers of the strike zone in a pinch can make batters look foolish when they swing early or miss entirely.
The Role of the Umpire
As an umpire, witnessing a pitcher with great velocity but a lack of control is particularly nerve-wracking for umpires as well. Umpires rely heavily on the accuracy and consistency of a pitcher's control to make accurate calls. If a pitcher's fastball is unpredictable, it can be challenging for the umpire to gauge where the ball is going, making each pitch a potential danger.
The unpredictability factor also adds a different layer of pressure on batters. Umpires continually have to be alert and ready, never knowing if the next pitch will be a strike or a ball. Pitchers like Kyle Wright who can throw the ball hard but struggle with control force batters and umpires to be hyper-vigilant.
Tactics and Strategies
Dealing with these scary fastballs requires a combination of quick reflexes, strategic positioning, and mental toughness. Batters must stay focused and patient, allowing them to react more effectively to unpredictable pitches. Pitchers who can maintain their composure and count on the unpredictability of their fastballs as a primary tool can often dominate games and seasons.
Ultimately, the scariest fastballs in the 2019 MLB season belong to those pitchers who blend raw power with the element of unpredictability. Whether it's the blinding speed of a Cody Fryer or the unreliable trajectory of a Josh Grierson, these fastballs keep batters on their toes and make game-changing moments a constant.
To conclude, while velocity is undeniably intimidating, it’s the combination of velocity and control that truly creates the scariest fastball in the MLB. These pitchers force everyone involved to stay vigilant, making every pitch a potential game-changer. The 2019 season saw some of the best examples of these terrifying fastballs in action, and it will surely be exciting to see who shines brightest in the following years.