MLB Best Curveballs: The Best Curveballs of 2018

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Houston Astros starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) relaxes in the dugout during the baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros on September 18, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Fiers #50 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 11, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Mike Fiers

Mike Fiers is an interesting name to see this high on the list. Most of the names on these best pitches lists have thus far been upper echelon starting pitchers and Mike Fiers certainly doesn’t belong in that category. Fiers would probably be best categorized as an average to slightly below average starting pitcher.

While he does provide some value as a starter, it was clearly not enough for the A’s, a pitching starved organization, to tender him a contract for the 2019 season. Fiers shouldn’t have much problem landing on his feet with some club but the extent of his next contract should be interesting.

Fiers lands on this list due in part to having a curveball with the most downward break of any curve in baseball. His curve also features a high spin rate which causes this downward break to be sharp and dive below hitters’ swings.

While he doesn’t generate a high number of whiffs with the pitch, he does keep the ball on the ground very well with his curveball. This limits the damage done on the pitch and contributes significantly to his .196 xwOBA allowed against his curve.

Mike Fiers is clearly not the sexiest name on the free agent market this off-season, but he is still a useful pitcher with a wicked curveball that should make solid contributions in 2019.

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