When should you throw a cutter?

The cutter should be a pitch learned in high-level college or pro baseball, and only after a pitcher has mastered the ability to command the strike zone in general, throw a straight fastball (no accidental cutters), and command two other secondary pitches (a breaking ball and changeup).

How does a pitcher know what to throw?

Most of this silent communication comes from the catcher. As the player behind the plate, the catcher has the unique ability to see the entire field. This means a good catcher can give signals to a pitcher, indicating which pitch to throw and where to throw it.

Is cutter a good pitch?

In conclusion, a cutter pitch can effectively get Major League hitters out for starting pitchers and relievers. Just like a changeup, curveball, slurve pitch, fastball, sinker, splitter, and even knuckleball, changing speeds and where the ball moves are all ways to throw of a hitter’s timing.

Can a 9 year old throw a cutter?

The younger the better. Coaches need to learn that all pitch types can be forearm pronated and the Torque side (Curves, Sliders and cutters) are taught then performed by intuitively forearm supinating, this destroys Elbows. Youth pitch distance does not matter!

What movement does a cutter have?

Definition. A cutter is a version of the fastball, designed to move slightly away from the pitcher’s arm-side as it reaches home plate.

How often did Rivera throw the cutter?

Rivera threw four-seam and two-seam fastballs as complementary pitches but primarily used his cutter; according to baseball statistics website Fangraphs, Rivera threw at least 82\% cutters each season from 2008 to 2013. All three pitches typically reached a velocity in the low-to-mid 90s mph.

Why do cutters break bats?

When thrown from a right-handed pitcher to a left-handed hitter, or a lefty pitcher to a righty hitter, a cutter will quickly move in toward a hitter’s hands. If the hitter swings, he often hits the ball on the smaller part — or handle — of the bat, causing it to break.

Who throws the best cutter?

Best Cutter

1. Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees (88.0\%, 90.4 MPH, 5.5 wFC, 2.79 wFC/C)
2. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers (89.8\%, 91.7 MPH, 21.2 wFC, 1.95 wFC/C)
3. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians (79.8\%, 92.6 MPH, 3.1 wFC, 0.36 wFC/C)
4. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers (17.8\%, 89.7 MPH, 14.9 wFC, 2.20 wFC/C)

How do you throw a cutter in baseball?

Cutter grip. Some pitchers like to move their thumb up to the inside of the baseball, similar to a slider. When thrown correctly, a cutter will be similar to a slider, but, with sharper movement. Release the cut fastball as you would the fastball. Do not snap or turn the wrist as done with a curve or slider.

Is the cut fastball a strikeout pitch?

If thrown correctly, the cut fastball should produce a few inches of late movement that will break away from a right handed hitter when thrown from a right handed pitcher. The delivery intent of the cutter is to make the hitter hit a ground out; don’t expect the cutter to be your strikeout pitch.

What causes the spin on a cut fastball?

The pressure applied to the outside of the ball should naturally cause the spin needed to create the movement. If thrown correctly, the cut fastball should produce a few inches of late movement that will break away from a right handed hitter when thrown from a right handed pitcher.

How do you release a cut fastball?

Release the cut fastball as you would the fastball. Do not snap or turn the wrist as done with a curve or slider. Your arm movement should mimic that of your fastball.