Yesterday, the baseballing internets focused on a Twitter exchange between Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer and Houston’s Lance McCullers and many, many fans, coaches, etc. The argument Bauer made is summarized in in the Athletic ($). The TL/DNR summary is that pine tar or other substances not only increase grip, but allow a pitcher to dramatically increase their spin rate, making them more effective. A team could teach them this technically-forbidden but undeniably useful skill and improve pitchers they acquire. Not everyone on the Astros has improved his spin rate, and McCullers’ spin rate remains low. The unspoken target of this accusation was Gerrit Cole, the former Pirate who’s presently dismantling the AL with his new, high-spin fastball.
James Paxton’s Continuing Evolution
