Early Season Pitch Tracking Notes — Slider Tinkering

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY SportsThis early in the baseball season, it’s still foolish to find much meaning in results, be that statistics or precise pitch measurements. But generally speaking we can look at the pitch tracking data and see what’s new — what are pitchers trying to do in 2024?

Last week we looked at Aaron Civale, Tyler Alexander, and Garrett Cleavinger had all added sweepers to their repertoire. Next up is the pitchers who are tinkering with their sliders in other non-sweeper ways.

I like to use Texas Leaguers to glance over pitch shapes. Measurements are presented in comparison to a theoretically “straight” pitch, with the effects of gravity not included. They don’t match what…