Since the start of the of the Statcast Era in Major League Baseball which dates back to 2015, there has been a league wide trend in the uptick of slider usage amongst pitchers with a minimum of 25 PA. This trend is outlined below and shows slider usage since 2015:
The data shows that there has been over a five-percent increase in slider usage from 2015 to 2021. In addition to the increase in usage, pitchers have also begun throwing their sliders harder. Since 2015, the average velocity of sliders has increased by almost 1 mph. An increase in velocity has also led to pitchers tinkering with the shape of their pitch. As a result, sliders are now thrown harder with more horizontal movement as pitchers chase more swing and miss. This pitch has been referred to as a sweeper in recent years. There have been numerous pitch design articles published, particularly by Driveline Baseball which outline and define the characteristics of a sweeper. Through my research, I interpret a sweeper as a slider that has over 6” of horizontal break with less than 0” of vertical break and is thrown harder than 80 mph.
So why are pitchers deciding to ditch their other off-speed/breaking balls in favor of throwing more sliders? Outlined below is a chart that reflects 2021 Major League Baseball Run value data by pitch type.
Based on 2021 MLB pitch data which was obtained courtesy of Baseball Savant, the data suggests that sliders were the most effective pitch in terms of swing and miss and run value per every 100 pitches thrown (RV/100). Factor in pitchers throwing their sliders at a record high in terms of velocity with increased lateral movement, and you have yourself a devilish pitch for opposing hitters.
Without getting too deep into the pitch design and player development aspect of sliders, the reshaping of sliders is primarily done through the tinkering of pitch grips and seam orientation. This is made possible thanks to pitch design technology such as Rapsodo, Trackman Portable, Hawkeye as well as the use of high-speed video cameras such as Edgertronic. By using the different forms of player development technology, athletes can receive instant feedback to help reshape their pitches to their desired outcome.
From a professional scouting standpoint, organizations have begun acquiring pitchers with unique slider profiles in hopes of redesigning the pitch to create a more lethal offering. For reference, the Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the many organizations that have been at the forefront of targeting pitchers with the goal of improving the athlete’s slider. Recent examples include Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Evan Philips, and Garrett Cleavinger. All of which saw an increase in effectiveness with their slider during the 2021 season.
With this information in mind, I have hand-selected a few 2022 draft-eligible pitchers who possess above-average slider profiles in which teams will be looking to target in the upcoming draft.
Orion Kerkering RHP University of South Florida
I had the chance to see Kerkering firsthand on a daily basis this past summer when I interned for the Orleans Firebirds, the team Kerkering pitched for this summer in the Cape Cod League. Aside from Kerkering’s live arm, in which he consistently sits 95-96 mph, he possesses a wipe-out slider. Based on my classification of a sweeper above, Kerkering slider would fall into that category. He is able to get considerable lateral movement on his offering, as he consistently averages over 16” of horizontal break. Factoring in the consistent execution of the pitch, with an average velocity of 83.6 mph, paired with elite spin (average over 3,000 RPM) it results in Kerkering possessing an elite sweeper. Below is a pitch movement plot that further visualizes the shape of Kerkering’s slider.
Long term, Kerkering has major league reliever upside and will be name to watch on day two of the draft.
Adam Maier RHP University of Oregon
One of college baseball’s best-kept secrets due to the canceled Covid seasons, The University of British Columbia transfer has a plus two-pitch sinker/slider combination. Maier’s sinker can be classified as a turbo sinker due to the velocity, depth, and horizontal movement and is paired nicely with his sweeper. His sweeper consistently pushes over 3,000 rpms with elite sweeping action (topping 22” HB) and is a swing and miss offering to both left and right-handed hitters. Below is a movement plot which shows outlines the slider.
Considering the plus sinker/slider combination and developing changeup, Maier has the upside to be starter once he debuts in pro-ball.
Carson Palmquist LHP University of Miami
Palmquist’s delivery is Sale-esque, as he releases from a low three-quarter arm slot with a crossfire delivery. Similar to Sale, Palmquist possesses a plus slider in which he executes to both lefties and righties. He creates good deception on the offering due to the 4-foot release height and wide horizontal approach angle he creates with his delivery. The slider possesses a sweeping shape, with good two-plane movement, and is an elite swing and miss offering to lefties and righties (55% whiff%). Long term, Palmquist profiles as a backend multi-inning major league reliever.
Blade Tidwell RHP University of Tennessee
Power arm with a quality four-pitch mix, Tidwell’s slider is the highlight aside from his blazing fastball. Tidwell throws a hard slider that has been up as high as 92 mph. Despite the lower spin, the pitch possesses sharp, two-plane break with medium sweep and generates plenty of whiffs. He commands the pitch well, especially to right-hand hitters. Considering the deep pitch mix and the continued refinement of his control with his arsenal, Tidwell projects to be a starter in pro-ball and one of the first college arms off the board in the 2022 draft.
Kumar Rocker RHP Vanderbilt University
A familiar face from the 2021 draft, Rocker will once again be deemed draft-eligible following uncertainty surrounding his medicals. Despite the elbow issue, I am still a firm believer Rocker can contribute to an organization in the major leagues and still has the chance to be a front of a rotation starter due to his makeup and deep pitch mix. Rocker’s slider has plus depth, or vertical movement and plays as a gyro slider, which is the opposite of a sweeper. A gyro slider possesses gyroscopic, or “bullet”, spin and as the pitch approaches home is pulled toward the ground due to gravity. Rocker has plus command of the pitch and is able to execute in all counts as a swing and miss offering.
Nick Maldonado RHP Vanderbilt University
Perhaps Maldonado flew under the radar on the Vanderbilt staff which was headlined by Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter in 2021. Maldonado pitched primarily in relief for the Commodores and relied on a heavy fastball/slider combination. He throws his slider hard and has demonstrated the ability to throw two variations of his slider. One that plays more as a gyro slider and another offering that has more of a sweeping action. Regardless of the shape, Maldonado’s slider is a high spin offering, topping 3,000 RPMS with above-average command/execution. Given his success as a multi-inning reliever in 2021, it seems reasonable that Maldonado will be given the chance to be stretched out and compete for a weekend rotation spot going into 2022.
Connor Prielipp LHP University of Alabama
An injury plagued season derailed Prielipp’s 2021 campaign. Aside from the injury, Prielipp has huge upside as a high-risk, high reward pick. He possesses a hard (87 mph average) wipe out slider which has plus two-plane movement with plus depth and medium sweep. Swing and miss offering (52% whiff%) and the contact that is made, hitters struggle to do any damage. If Prielipp can prove to evaluators that he is healthy in 2022, he will be viewed as a high upside starter going into the draft.
Landon Sims RHP Mississippi State
Sims quickly asserted himself as one of the nation’s premier late-inning relievers in 2021 with his plus two-pitch fastball/slider mix out of the Mississippi State bullpen. He pairs his 96-98 mph fastball with a wipeout slider. He throws his slider hard and demonstrates the ability to execute the pitch with ease. It’s a high spin offering with great depth and lateral movement. Given his off the chart’s makeup and polish for a college arm, Sims has the chance to hear his name called early in the draft with the chance to ascend rather quickly through the minors as a multi-inning major league reliever with his two plus pitches.