1. Play the hook
The curveball was an important pitch for Jeremy Hellickson in 2016, as opponents whiffed on more than 30 percent of their swings against it while batting .159 with a .262 slugging percentage. Hellickson's average spin rate on the pitch jumped from 2,781 rpm in 2015 -- already one of the highest marks in MLB -- to 2,970 rpm. Out of 117 pitchers who had at least 200 curves or knuckle-curves tracked last year, that was the highest.
Highest average curveball/knuckle-curve spin rate in 2016 (minimum 200 thrown)
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