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Max Scherzer
Right-handed
6'3"
Pitches
Note: His arm slot is a low 3/4 slot for all four pitches.
Pitches (Click on pitch for video. All .gif from pitchergifs.com)
Fastball (94 mph, 9.5% Whiff%, 24.5% GB%)
Curve (78 mph, 7.7% Whiff%, 54.9% GB%)
Slider (86 mph, 19.6% Whiff%, 44.8% GB%)
Change (85 mph, 21.3% Whiff%, 53.1 GB%)
Also, he sometimes throws a sinkerball
Pitch usage
Inning
Notes: No noticeable tendencies
Game Situation
vs Left-Handed Hitters by Count
Notes
- Will throw the Change between 20% to 40% of the time. He only abandons it on a 3-0 count.
- With two strikes, 0-0, and ahead in the count, he will throw the Slider/Curve 20%, otherwise he will stay away from throwing them.
- Here is where he throws the fastball and change to LHH.
Fastball Location vs LHH (from catcher's perspective)
- LHH need to be looking outside for both the fastball and change.
vs. Right-Handed Hitters by Count
- He will throw his Slider 30% to 50% of the time except on 3-1 and 3-2 counts where he goes mainly to his Fastball.
- Additionally, he will use his Change 10% of the time when ahead in the count.
- Here is where he attacks RHH
Fastball vs RHH
- He keeps his fastball low and comes inside more often than outside. This pattern helps with his slider which comes right at the middle of the plate and then drops off.
Productive Hitters Against Pitchers Similar to Max Scherzer
Trait Groupings
- Right-handed
- Hard Throwing (Fastball > 93.2 mph): 93.3 mph
- Flyball Pitcher (GB% < 41.5%): 36.5%
Overall and regressed (to player and league average) wOBA values (downloadable Excel spreadsheet with data):
Name | Actual wOBA | Regressed wOBA |
Billy Butler | 0.366 | 0.353 |
Nori Aoki | 0.357 | 0.334 |
Salvador Perez | 0.333 | 0.330 |
Eric Hosmer | 0.335 | 0.329 |
Alex Gordon | 0.310 | 0.319 |
Justin Maxwell | 0.287 | 0.319 |
Pedro Ciriaco | 0.308 | 0.316 |
Jarrod Dyson | 0.303 | 0.314 |
Omar Infante | 0.285 | 0.305 |
Lorenzo Cain | 0.238 | 0.304 |
Danny Valencia | 0.245 | 0.302 |
Brett Hayes | 0.225 | 0.301 |
Mike Moustakas | 0.263 | 0.299 |
Alcides Escobar | 0.278 | 0.297 |
Here is the recommended lineup based on projected production vs Max Scherzer.
1. Aoki (RF)
2. Perez (C)
3. Hosmer (1B)
4. Butler (DH)
5. Gordon (LF)
6. Dyson (CF)
7. Ciraco/Escobar (SS)
8. Infante/Ciraco (2B)
9. Valencia/Moustakas (3B)