FanShot

Brian Bannister on the most important pitching stat

4

"The most useful stat when you’re out there on the mound is your zone-contact percentage. I think it’s a huge contributor to your long-term success. The better the pitches are, and the more swings-and-misses in the zone, is what differentiates a pitcher with an ERA in the threes and a pitcher with an ERA over 4.00.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/players-view-the-best-stat-to-evaluate-pitchers/