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MLB Best fastball: The Best Fastballs of 2018

By Michael Francis

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros talks with the media during a press conference before Game Four of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros talks with the media during a press conference before Game Four of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Best fastball
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 21: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park on September 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Jacob deGrom

Coming in at number five on our best fastball list is the National League Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom. If the criteria was weighted any differently deGrom would have a serious argument for number one on this list as deGrom has possibly the most dominant fastball in the sport. He has the fourth hardest average velocity which is impressive on its own, but he couples it with great extension giving him the second highest effective velocity in the game only behind Luis Severino. deGrom’s fastball produced sparkling statistics in 2018 as he allowed the second lowest xwOBA among starters and had the highest whiff% with a whopping 31.95%! His fastball was clearly a lethal weapon in 2018 and it helped him take home the Cy Young hardware at the end of the season as well as collect some MVP votes. The only reason deGrom’s fastball isn’t even higher on this list is due to some of the softer factors. This pitch has a middling spin rate, has very little movement, and did not produce a large amount of ground balls. The spin rate and movement don’t factor in as much here because of deGrom’s elite extension and deception that allow this already high velocity pitch to play up even more. deGrom also makes up for his lack of ground balls by inducing more swings and misses on his fastball than anyone else. deGrom is clearly an elite pitcher and it all starts with his fastball.

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