Fastball velocity is a key metric for pitchers, correlating with strikeout rate and ERA. This article analyzes velocity gainers and decliners among starting pitchers, focusing on their first starts of the 2026 season. The analysis provides insights into potential performance trends and highlights pitchers to watch.
Velocity Gainers
Several pitchers have shown significant velocity gains in their first starts, including:
See Also
Deep League Fantasy Baseball: Risers and Fallers Week 4White Sox Injury Update: Everson Pereira to IL, Tanner Murray Makes MLB Debut | 2026 Season NewsRed Sox’ poor start may force manager Alex Cora’s handRed Sox Trade Sonny Gray: What This Means for Boston and St. Louis | PTBNL Patrick Galle Breakdown- Kodai Senga (NYM): Increased his fastball velocity from 94.7 MPH to 97.4 MPH, exceeding his 2025 max by 0.9 MPH.
- Ryan Feltner (COL): Added nearly 2 MPH to his fastball, but only had one start.
- Janson Junk (MIA): Showcased pinpoint control with an extra 2 MPH on his fastball.
- Ranger Suarez (BOS): Upped the usage of his cutter, leading to a marginal velocity gain.
- Roki Sasaki (LAD): Added oomph to his four-seamer, but Stuff+ remained below average.
- Shota Imanaga (CHC): Rebound in velocity from last year, with a 1.3 MPH increase.
- Dustin May (STL): Velocity up, but Stuff+ unchanged and a low SwStk%.
- Taj Bradley (MIN): Stable velocity, Stuff+ surge, but poor Location+.
- Dylan Cease (TOR): Higher velocity, but control and location are key.
- Kyle Freeland (COL): Highest velocity of his career.
- Jake Irvin (WSN): Partial velocity rebound, with Stuff+ jumping above 100.
Velocity Decliners
Conversely, some pitchers have seen velocity declines in their first starts:
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Mets Fall to A’s: Fixes Needed After 4th Straight Loss | Lindor, Senga, and Fielding Missteps- Michael McGreevy (STL): Career-worst velocity, plans to work on hip movement.
- Slade Cecconi (CLE): Partial velocity rebound, still down from last year.
- Aaron Civale (ATH): Low velocity on his cutter and sinker.
- Reid Detmers (LAA): Cut down on curveball usage, highest Stuff+ as a starter.
- Joe Boyle (TBR): BotCmd and Location+ up, but Stuff+ unchanged.
- Steven Matz (TBR): Sinker velocity lowest of his career.
- Emmet Sheehan (LAD): Concern over velocity decline, Stuff+ down to 88.
- Shohei Ohtani (LAD): Stuff+ down from 115 to 101.
- Reynaldo López (ATL): Meaningful velocity decline, Stuff+ down to 85.
The article emphasizes the importance of tracking velocity changes, noting that some pitchers may revert to their previous levels in subsequent starts. It also highlights the need to consider control, location, and other metrics when evaluating pitchers' performance.
