Power pitcher is a term inbaseball for apitcher who relies onpitchvelocity at the expense of accuracy. Power pitchers usually record a high number ofstrikeouts, and statistics such asstrikeouts per 9 innings pitched are common measures of power.[1] An average pitcher strikes out about 5 batters per nine innings while a power pitcher will often strike out one or more every inning.[1]
The prototypical power pitcher isHall of Fame memberNolan Ryan, who struck out aMajor League Baseball record 5,714 batters in 5,386 innings. Ryan recorded sevenno-hitters, appeared in eightMajor League Baseball All-Star Games but also holds the record for mostwalks issued (2,795).[2] Other prominent power pitchers include Hall of FamersWalter Johnson,Sandy Koufax,Pedro Martínez,Randy Johnson, andBob Feller. Feller himself famously led his league in strikeouts and walks several times.[3]
The traditional school of thought on power pitching was known as "throw till you blow".[4] However, multimillion-dollar contracts have changed mentalities.[4] The number of pitches thrown is nowcounted by a team's staff, with particular attention paid to young power arms.[4] The care which some of the older power pitchers took with their arms has allowed for long careers and further opportunity after they have stopped playing.[5]
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