Blake Snell's Pitching Arsenal: A Closer Look

Blake Snell, a name synonymous with dominating performances on the mound, owes much of his success to a diverse and potent pitching repertoire. For those of you wanting to learn more about baseball, or are baseball coaches looking to enhance your understanding, we’re going to dive deep into the different pitches Snell commands. His ability to keep hitters guessing and off-balance stems from the variations in speed, movement, and location he achieves with each offering. Snell isn't just throwing; he's strategically deploying an arsenal designed to disrupt timing and exploit weaknesses.

The Fastball: A Foundation of Power

The fastball stands as the cornerstone of nearly every pitcher's repertoire, and for Blake Snell, it's no different. Snell's fastball typically sits in the low to mid-90s, but it's not just about velocity. The effectiveness of his fastball lies in its movement and location. He commands a four-seam fastball with some serious zip. He elevates the pitch effectively, challenging hitters up in the zone and generating swings and misses. Snell also demonstrates the ability to locate his fastball on the inner and outer edges of the plate, keeping hitters from getting comfortable. Its movement, often described as having late life, makes it difficult for hitters to square up, leading to weak contact or swings and misses. Guys, remember that a fastball isn't just about throwing hard; it's about strategic placement and deception. Understanding how a pitcher uses their fastball provides valuable insight into their overall approach. Snell's command over his fastball allows him to set up his other pitches, making his entire arsenal more effective. Without a reliable fastball, a pitcher's secondary offerings lose much of their potency. Snell's ability to consistently locate and move his fastball is a key factor in his success. He uses it to establish dominance early in counts and to keep hitters guessing about what's coming next. Analyzing Snell's fastball usage reveals a pitcher who understands the importance of location, movement, and velocity in creating a truly effective pitch. The fastball is more than just a power pitch; it's a strategic weapon in Snell's arsenal.

The Curveball: A Deceptive Weapon

Snell's curveball is his signature pitch, known for its sharp, late break. Typically, a curveball like Snell's is thrown with significant downward movement, often in the high 70s to low 80s mph range. This provides a stark contrast to his fastball. The velocity difference alone is enough to disrupt a hitter's timing. However, it’s the late break that makes this pitch truly devastating. Hitters often perceive the pitch as a fastball out of Snell’s hand, only to have it buckle downwards unexpectedly as it approaches the plate. Snell uses his curveball in a variety of counts, demonstrating confidence in its ability to generate strikes or induce chases out of the strike zone. He can throw it for a strike early in the count to keep hitters honest, or he can bury it in the dirt to entice a swing and a miss with two strikes. The key to Snell's curveball is its deception. He uses a consistent arm slot with his fastball, making it difficult for hitters to distinguish between the two pitches until the very last moment. This deception, combined with the pitch's late break, makes it an incredibly challenging pitch to hit. His curveball complements his fastball perfectly, giving him a dynamic one-two punch that keeps hitters off balance. By varying the location and timing of his curveball, Snell keeps hitters guessing and prevents them from anticipating his next move.

The Slider: Adding Another Layer of Complexity

To further complicate matters for hitters, Snell features a slider in his repertoire. This pitch, generally thrown in the low to mid-80s, offers a different type of breaking action than his curveball. Snell's slider has more horizontal movement than his curveball, creating a distinct challenge for hitters. While the curveball dives downwards, the slider sweeps across the plate, often darting away from right-handed hitters. This makes it a particularly effective weapon against righties, as it can induce weak contact or swings and misses as it breaks out of the strike zone. Snell uses his slider strategically, often deploying it in situations where he needs a quick strike or to get ahead in the count. It’s a great way to throw hitters off and change their expectations for the ball. He's able to locate the pitch effectively, throwing it for strikes or using it as a chase pitch. The slider adds another layer of complexity to Snell's repertoire, making him even more difficult to predict. Hitters have to account for the fastball, curveball, and slider, each with its unique movement and velocity. By mastering these three pitches, Snell has established himself as one of the most challenging pitchers to face in the game. Guys, being able to manipulate a baseball is what separates a pitcher from a great pitcher. He’s able to use all 3 pitches for strikes, and uses all 3 to set up for swing and misses.

The Changeup: The Element of Surprise

While not as frequently used as his other pitches, Snell also throws a changeup. This pitch is all about deception. The changeup is typically thrown with the same arm action as a fastball but at a significantly reduced velocity, usually in the mid-80s. This fools hitters into thinking they are getting a fastball, only to have the pitch arrive much slower than anticipated. The changeup is most effective when thrown to hitters who are expecting a fastball. By changing the speed of the pitch, Snell disrupts their timing and induces weak contact. He typically uses his changeup sparingly, often as a surprise weapon against aggressive hitters. The changeup provides Snell with another tool to keep hitters guessing and prevent them from becoming too comfortable at the plate. He can throw it in any count, although he typically reserves it for situations where he needs to disrupt a hitter's timing or induce a ground ball. The key to a good changeup is maintaining the same arm speed and delivery as a fastball. This makes it difficult for hitters to distinguish between the two pitches until the very last moment. When executed effectively, the changeup can be a devastating weapon, leading to easy outs and frustrated hitters. Snell's ability to mix in a changeup adds another dimension to his repertoire, making him an even more unpredictable and challenging pitcher to face.

Strategic Pitching: Sequencing and Location

Beyond the individual qualities of each pitch, Blake Snell's true strength lies in his strategic pitching. This involves carefully sequencing his pitches and locating them effectively to exploit hitters' weaknesses. Snell is not just throwing pitches; he's setting hitters up. He might start with a fastball to establish dominance, then follow with a curveball to disrupt their timing. Or, he might use a slider to get ahead in the count, then bury a curveball in the dirt for a swing and a miss. Location is equally crucial. Snell understands the importance of hitting his spots, whether it's elevating a fastball for a strikeout or burying a curveball to induce a chase. He consistently works the edges of the plate, making it difficult for hitters to get comfortable. Snell's strategic approach is evident in his ability to adjust his game plan based on the hitter, the situation, and the game. He’s able to change his strategy pitch to pitch, keeping hitters guessing. He studies hitters' tendencies and exploits their weaknesses, making him a master strategist on the mound. Effective sequencing and location are essential for any pitcher, but they are particularly important for Snell, who relies on deception and movement to get outs. His ability to mix his pitches and locate them effectively makes him one of the most challenging pitchers to face in the game. By understanding the nuances of strategic pitching, Snell maximizes the effectiveness of his already impressive repertoire.

Snell's Repertoire: A Constantly Evolving Arsenal

Blake Snell's pitching repertoire is not static; it's a constantly evolving arsenal. He is always working to improve his existing pitches and add new ones to his mix. This dedication to improvement is one of the keys to his sustained success. Snell constantly analyzes his performance, identifies areas for improvement, and works tirelessly to refine his craft. He is always experimenting with new grips, arm angles, and release points to gain an edge. He also studies opposing hitters, looking for weaknesses he can exploit. This constant pursuit of improvement keeps him ahead of the competition and makes him an even more challenging pitcher to face. Snell's willingness to adapt and evolve is a testament to his dedication and work ethic. He understands that the game is constantly changing, and he must continue to improve to stay ahead. His commitment to continuous improvement makes him a role model for aspiring pitchers and a true student of the game. So, whether you're a seasoned baseball fan, a budding player, or a coach looking to glean some insights, remember that understanding a pitcher's repertoire goes beyond simply knowing the names of their pitches. It's about appreciating the strategy, the deception, and the constant evolution that make them effective. Blake Snell exemplifies this perfectly.