The cutter, also known as the cut fastball, is a popular pitch in baseball that adds a subtle, yet effective movement to the traditional fastball. This pitch is designed to move slightly away from the pitcher’s arm-side as it reaches home plate, making it difficult for the batter to make solid contact on the ball.
An effective cutter can even break bats due to its sharp late break on the ball which often catches hitters off balance. With proper technique and practice, the cutter can be a dynamic and powerful addition to any pitcher’s arsenal.
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History of the Cutter in Baseball
The cutter, or cut fastball, is a type of fastball that breaks towards the pitcher’s glove-hand side as it reaches home plate. This versatile pitch has been around for more than 50 years, but it gained prominence when Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees began using it to great effect (MLB.com). The cutter lies somewhere between a slider and a four-seam fastball, as it is typically thrown faster than a slider but with more movement than a fastball.
Despite its long history, it is still unclear who exactly invented the cut fastball. However, the pitch gained significant attention and popularity when Mariano Rivera began using it as his primary pitch. Rivera’s cutter was so effective that it broke a large number of left-handed hitters’ bats, earning it the nickname “the buzzsaw”.
The cutter’s movement is characterized as horizontal, in the opposite direction of a two-seamer. For a right-handed pitcher, the pitch moves from right to left, and for a left-handed pitcher, it moves from left to right (MLB.com). This late movement can make the cutter highly effective against opposing batters by preventing them from anticipating a regular fastball. Though not all major league pitchers use a cutter, those who do often rely on it as a primary pitch in their repertoire.
How to Throw a Cutter
Grip and Finger Placement
The grip is an essential part of throwing a cutter in baseball. There are different variations of grips that can be used, such as two-seam and four-seam fastballs grips. It is important to hide the grip from the batter to make it harder for them to predict the pitch. When holding the ball, the bottom right quadrant should be the focus for releasing the pitch, allowing for proper backspin and side/gyro spin to achieve the desired “cut” action.
Arm and Wrist Action
When throwing a cutter, it is crucial to have good arm and wrist action. The pitcher should maintain a fastball arm speed to deceive the batter into thinking it’s a regular fastball. As for the wrist, the key is to pull down on the seams with the index and middle fingers as the release point approaches. This will help create spin and movement on the pitch.
Release and Follow-Through
The release and follow-through are crucial for the success of a cutter. For the release, it is important to think “fastball” until the very last moment, and then “yank” the ball down as hard as possible. This will create a sensation of the ball “shooting” out of the hand, leading to the desired spin and movement on the pitch. The follow-through should be similar to that of a regular fastball, ensuring that the arm speed and action remain consistent throughout the entire pitching process.
Why Use a Cutter
Advantages against Hitters
A cutter, or cut fastball, is an effective pitch in baseball due to its unique movement that makes it challenging for hitters to hit solidly. Thrown with a speed between 85 to 95 miles per hour, a cutter breaks towards the pitcher’s glove-hand side as it reaches home plate, resulting in a pitch that is faster than a slider but with more movement than a typical fastball. Its movement can cause a hitter to miss the sweet spot of the bat, often resulting in weak contact or a swing and miss.
In addition, the late-breaking action of a cutter is particularly effective against opposite-handed hitters. For example, a right-handed pitcher’s cutter will move away from a left-handed hitter, making it difficult for the hitter to square up the ball. This advantage can lead to more groundouts and fewer hard-hit balls, which benefits the pitcher and defense.
Strategic Situations
There are specific strategic situations in which using a cutter can be particularly advantageous. Since the cutter is not typically considered a strikeout pitch, it is often used to induce weak contact and generate groundball outs. This can be useful in situations where there are runners on base, as groundball double plays can quickly end an offensive threat.
Furthermore, a cutter can be used as a complementary pitch to a pitcher’s primary fastball. When effectively mixed into a pitcher’s repertoire, a cutter can keep hitters off balance and help increase the effectiveness of other pitches. For example, if a hitter is expecting a straight fastball and instead encounters the late movement of a cutter, their timing and swing may be disrupted, leading to a weaker contact or a missed swing.
In summary, a well-executed cutter pitch can provide significant advantages against hitters and in specific strategic situations. Its unique movement and versatility make it a valuable weapon in a pitcher’s arsenal for keeping hitters off balance and generating weak contact.
Famous Cutter Pitchers
The cutter pitch has played a significant role in the success of several notable pitchers in baseball history. One of the most famous pitchers known for utilizing a masterful cutter is Mariano Rivera. His impressive pitching career includes being inducted into the Hall of Fame, largely due to the effectiveness of his cutter pitch.
Another prominent player who had a fantastic cutter in their arsenal is Roy Halladay. He was considered one of the best pitchers in baseball during his time, with two Cy Young Awards under his belt. Halladay’s cutter was instrumental in his success on the mound.
Some other top pitchers who have made a name for themselves by incorporating the cutter pitch into their play style include:
These pitchers have all demonstrated exceptional skill in wielding the cutter as part of their pitching repertoire, solidifying their places in baseball history. More recently, Emmanuel Clase has been making waves in the baseball world with his record-breaking 101.8 mph cutter strikeout. Clase’s incredible performance demonstrates the ongoing importance and effectiveness of the cutter pitch in modern baseball.
Kenley Jansen, Ridiculous 95mph Cutter (with tail) pic.twitter.com/Uf7WJgA81a
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 21, 2021
Cutter vs. Slider
Although both the cutter and the slider are types of baseball pitches, they possess some noteworthy differences. The primary distinguishing factors are their breaking points, depth, and velocities.
A slider typically exhibits a horizontal and downward break, making it resemble a curveball. Its break occurs earlier and has a much larger movement compared to the cutter. On the other hand, a cutter pitch is a variant of a fastball and has a more subtle, late break in one direction, primarily towards the pitcher’s glove side.
When it comes to pitch velocities, sliders tend to be slower than cutter pitches. This difference arises due to the unique grips employed by the pitchers. To throw a slider, pitchers exert more pressure on the ball, causing the pitch to slow down, while a cutter maintains a fastball grip, resulting in a faster, harder pitch.
Some other contrasting features can be observed in their arm angles and usage. A slider often manifests a noticeable break throughout its trajectory, especially when thrown by pitchers with lower arm angles. Conversely, a cutter tends to resemble a fastball until its sudden and late directional turn. This characteristic makes cutters particularly effective against batters who have difficulty adapting to sudden shifts in pitch direction.
Control Issues
One of the challenges faced by pitchers who throw cutters is maintaining control of the pitch. Since the cutter is designed to have late, sharp movement, it can be difficult for pitchers to consistently throw it with accuracy. To address this issue, pitchers should focus on their grip and release technique. An effective way to improve control of the cutter is by practicing a proper grip, such as placing the index and middle fingers along the seam of the baseball and the thumb underneath the ball, providing stability and support.
Additionally, pitchers can improve their control by concentrating on their release point. This can be achieved by consistently releasing the pitch with the wrist slightly turned inwards, causing the desired cutting action. Consistent practice and repetition can help a pitcher master the release point and improve control over the cutter.
Final Word
To ensure the effectiveness of a cutter, pitchers must generate enough movement to differentiate it from their other pitches. An ideal cutter moves away from a similarly handed batter, making it difficult for hitters to make solid contact. To enhance the movement of the cutter, pitchers should focus on maintaining a consistent arm slot and applying appropriate pressure on the ball at release.
A crucial aspect of using the cutter effectively is incorporating it into a well-rounded pitching repertoire. This involves mixing the cutter with other pitches, such as fastballs, breaking balls, and changeups, to keep batters guessing and off-balance. Proper pitch sequencing can increase the cutter’s effectiveness, as batters will have a harder time anticipating the pitch and adjusting their swing accordingly.
In conclusion, control issues and effectiveness are common challenges faced by pitchers who throw cutters. By focusing on proper grip, release technique, and pitch sequencing, pitchers can overcome these challenges and maximize the effectiveness and utility of the cutter within their pitching arsenal.