Best pitch mixes among Top 100 Prospects
Baseball America|March 2023
A pitcher's pitches must work together in concert to succeed against big league hitters.
GEOFF PONTES
Best pitch mixes among Top 100 Prospects

That's why we focus on pitching prospects' entire arsenals. While there is a heavy bias toward stuff in these choices, there's a reason. The ability to command three above-average or better pitches gives a pitcher a far greater chance at major league success, as opposed to having just two pitches-Spencer Strider notwithstanding.

BOBBY MILLER, RHP, DODGERS 

Strikeout rate: 30.9%. Top three pitches: four-seam fastball, slider, changeup.

No other Top 100 Prospect brings the sheer power of Miller. His pitch mix boasts premium velocity almost across the board. His four-seam fastball is the hardest inside the Top 100, sitting on average at 98 mph with a peak velocity of just under 102.

While Miller’s fastball stands out for its velocity, his primary secondaries do a majority of the heavy lifting when it comes to missing bats. His slider features premium velocity combined with heavy sweep, making it rare. It generates a high rate of whiffs and chases while limiting damage upon contact.

Still, Miller’s most effective pitch might be his changeup. It has the highest whiff rate in his arsenal and a weighted on-base average (wOBA) under .200 from opposing batters. But his command of the pitch is inconsistent.

With a curveball, cutter and two-seamer that all have above-average grades, Miller’s pitch mix stands alone as arguably the best in the minor leagues.

EURY PEREZ, RHP, MARLINS 

Strikeout rate: 34.1%. Top three pitches: four-seam fastball, cutter, changeup.

This story is from the March 2023 edition of Baseball America.

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This story is from the March 2023 edition of Baseball America.

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