STARTERS: Very early command sub-indicator gains, 2022

It's still way risky to put significant stock into early-season skills, especially aggregate measures like strikeouts and walks. But looking into the components that drive them can be a helpful early-season exercise, since they represent larger sample sizes.

First, these SP have posted a big increase in their swinging strike rate from 2021 to 2022:

  • Swinging Strike Rate (SwK%) - 2022 YTD vs. 2021*


*min 30 IP in 2021, 10 IP in 2022

Next, it can be helpful to look at the rate at which starting pitchers are attacking the strike zone early in counts more than they were last season:

  • First-Pitch Strike Rate (FpK%) - 2022 YTD vs. 2021*


*min 30 IP in 2021, 10 IP in 2022

Finally, it can be helpful to analyze the volume of strikes that a SP...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Starting Pitchers

Andrew Abbott's poor start to the season can be traced to an absence of strong skills.
Apr 18 2026 3:09am
Jesús Luzardo's ugly early stats are hiding a collection of pristine skills.
Apr 11 2026 3:09am
Cam Schlittler's dominating start to the 2026 season has come with full backing from his underlying skills.
Apr 4 2026 3:09am
The huge spring of young Didier Fuentes has him on the cusp of the ATL rotation.
Mar 28 2026 3:09am
Cam Schlittler has built upon his late-season emergence with an excellent showing this spring.
Mar 20 2026 3:12am

Tools