Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Bummer is one of the best pitchers in baseball at reaching two-strike counts. He has reached two-strike counts against an impressive 67.8% of opposing batters, which ranks seventh among pitchers who have faced 50 or more batters this year. Bummer’s effective sinker helps him get ahead in the count, but surprisingly, his strikeout rate is only league average. He struggles to convert two-strike counts into strikeouts, doing so only 35% of the time.
Bummer adjusts by using his sweeper pitch more in two-strike counts, but it doesn’t result in high strikeout totals. On the other hand, Pierce Johnson relies heavily on his curveball, throwing it 80% of the time. Johnson excels at converting two-strike counts into strikeouts, ranking 15th in baseball in this category. While their approaches are different, both pitchers find success in their own way.
The idea of utilizing a strategy where a pitcher like Bummer gets ahead in the count and is then replaced by a strikeout specialist like Johnson is intriguing. This tactic could potentially increase the team’s overall strikeout rate and provide a slight advantage in crucial situations. While this strategy is not commonly used in the majors, its utilization could be beneficial, especially for teams with strong bullpen options.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of such a strategy may be limited by the rules requiring pitchers to face a minimum of three batters. However, in specific game situations, this strategic approach could be a valuable tool for teams looking to optimize their pitching staff and maximize their chances of success on the field.
