Astros Four-Seam Pitch Movement by Induced Vertical Break and Horizontal Break, 2021 to 2025
Pitching staffs are never the same year-to-year, much less even similar across multiple seasons, but it's fun to see what has changed in terms of pitch movement.
Also, the 2022 staff was just incredible.
Well, that was one heck of a run. A fun one, too, with a good bit of drama and controversy along the way. Better than most television nowadays.
Now, onward to better health and hopefully better fortunes in 2026.
All I can do is laugh now.
Brice Matthews at home: .212/.350/.248, 0 HR, 4 doubles, .598 OPS
On the road: .333/.436/.641, 10 HR, 8 doubles, 5 triples, 1.077 OPS
66.6% contact rate on the season; only one qualified Major League hitter (Michael Toglia, 64.5%) has a lower rate.
The Astros are calling up top prospect Brice Matthews and he will join the team for tomorrow's game against the Rangers, source tells @theathletic.bsky.social. MLB dot com was first to report.
I can watch Luis Guillorme play defense all day.
Pitches per plate appearance by team and first pitch swing rate by team in 2025
The Astros are drawing more pitches than they did last season (3.65 Pit/PA), but not significantly more.
Still swinging at a high rate of first pitches, too, but a decline from 2024 (37.7%).
FIP and wRC+ graph by team through April 9, 2025
Yeah, that's looks about right so far...
A Quick Look at Strikeout Rates And Swinging Strike Rates Among Pitching Staffs
Strikeout Rate and Swinging Strike Rate by team in 2025 through April 6, 2025
Although the last two series against the Giants and Twins have seen the Astros' pitching staff give up runs in bunches, I am encouraged by the swing-and-miss capability of this staff so far.
Pitch chart of Jeremy Peña's home run off of Joe Ryan on April 3, 2025
Jeremy Peña slugged .517 against 4-seam fastballs in his rookie season (2022). Dropped to .486 in 2023 and .394 in 2024.
If he can start hammering four seams again like he just did against Joe Ryan, I'd feel pretty good about his offensive prospects his season.
First Pitch Swing Rate by Season for the Astros, 2021 to 2025
Pitches per Plate Appearance by Season for the Astros, 2021 to 2025
Yes, only four games for the Astros thus far, but I am curious to see these trends from the lineup continue.
Happy Opening Day!!!
