In softball they have a pitch called a riseball. This concept actually makes sense in the sport because the pitchers throw underhand and can direct the ball upwards. It’s much different for a baseball pitcher to get similar movement because they obviously throw overhand, but Gerrit Cole is trying to defy those conventions.
In the first inning of Thursday’s Pirates-White Sox game, Cole struck out Adam LaRoche on a 2-2 pitch that seemed to run up and away. It looked like a nasty two-seam fastball that just had silly run and movement, and left LaRoche waving at air.
Cole allowed just two runs on three hits over seven innings to pick up the win. He is now 11-2 with a 1.78 ERA this season. Both marks lead the NL. With pitches like that, it’s easy to see why the UCLA product is having this kind of success.
And if you don’t want to throw 98 mph pitches with incredible run against LaRoche, may we suggest 59 mph curveballs?
H/T Deadspin
