Instructional Friday – Pitching: STUFF

INSTRUCTIONAL FRIDAY – PITCHING:  STUFF

2019

Pitchers have it, or they don’t have it.  A pitch may be full of it or show no signs whatsoever.

Anyone who’s ever been around the game of baseball has heard about it.  They may have known exactly what the person who said it meant. Or at least they had a  general idea of what was being described.

Observers, experts and critiquers of baseball will often refer to a pitcher’s stuff, as well – STUFF. But what does that mean?

“He’s got good STUFF.”

“His STUFF isn’t working today.”

Or the always insightful, “Good pitchers know how to win on days when they don’t have their best STUFF.”

Aside from knowing that all the aforementioned references were about pitching and the ability to throw the ball with effectiveness, the fact remains that very little objective truth is available when it comes to STUFF.  

Most folks seem to know it when they see it, and even recognize it when it doesn’t exist. But if you had to solidly identify what “it” is, the term STUFF as it relates to baseball doesn’t exist dictionary.

Thus, Dirtbags Baseball decided to do some research and ask some folks that are in the know.  The individuals contacted span generations in the game. Some have coached and some have scouted. Some of the experts asked have been in the game at higher levels, some at lower, and some have at multiple levels.  

Several of those in the inquiry could be considered experts in pitching, and a few in the category of hitting. Overall, the group was really qualified because they have just seen A LOT of baseball over the years and assuredly had experienced pitchers with STUFF.

Basically, they were asked this question –  What defines having good STUFF?

And while the identities of these experts will remain anonymous, both the scope and precision of insight they shared provided articulate and valuable views to better understand this mysterious term.

In analyzing all the response a number of consistencies were recognized.  Most agreed that STUFF has a physical nature, be it qualitative or quantitative.  Several of the participants also included a mental feature of the pitcher as an important consideration of having STUFF.

As for the pitch’s dynamics, the trend was towards having qualities of movement.  One of the best quotes in the survey stated simply that, “Good stuff is late movement on all pitches.”  The ability to add or subtract velocity to the formula seemed to enhance the value of the pitch in the hierarchy of STUFF.

Additionally, some of those asked offered quantitative standards to achieve stuff in regards to velocity. Others opted to steer clear of demanding to use minimum gun readings and instead use quantity in the number of pitches available to pitcher’s arsenal.

The debate about where STUFF has to show up was also discussed in this query.  Recognizing some hurlers have great “bullpen stuff” while the best can demand their stuff on the game mound was a recurring observation.  For some command was mandatory.

But then this response came in, “A pitcher’s “stuff” is the quality of the pitches he has in his repertoire irrespective of control/command.”  Making the case that maybe command isn’t requirement to be considered STUFF.

A lot of the responders tended to provide insight and explanation that two critical aspects of STUFF were paramount.  First, stuff can be improved, if not taught to a degree. From a pitcher functioning with sound mechanics to the use of technology to provide feedback on instruction the STUFF of a pitcher can be elevated with an understanding that each pitcher probably has a ceiling.

For a few that physicality of a pitcher was a noticed aspect.  One in particular said, “Certainly kids can develop stuff by becoming strong and explosive to generate arm speed to throw with more velocity and create more spin on breaking balls.”

Another common aspect of STUFF for a pitcher was seen as the ability to access the STUFF when called upon.  From being a “bulldog” to having a “will to compete” many of the experts agreed that a mental approach by the guy on the bump was a difference maker.

The absolute one repeating phrase in all the texts, messages and conversations in prepping for this piece was that STUFF often times creates “swing and miss” or “soft contact” results. While that could be a simple end to a complex matter, be assured that even that would be met with dissent depending on a dozens of competing factors a guru may want considered.

Instead just walk away from this with the understanding that in reality, a pitch/pitcher’s STUFF is really about a lot of stuff.