There are different types of pitchers in baseball who are used in different situations. Some of the pitchers are special, and they are used in a variety of situations. Major Leagues Baseball (MLB) can carry a maximum of 14 pitchers for the game.
However, Starting pitchers, Power pitchers, relief pitchers, and control pitchers always play crucial parts in the game. Moreover, middle pitchers, LOOGY pitchers, Swingman, and other pitchers are also widely used in baseball.
Are you thirsty to know about the pitchers in baseball? This is the right resource for you. Here, you will discover the top 10 pitchers’ positions and in-detail about their playing capabilities. So, don’t skip any part of the article to learn detail about the types of pitchers.
What Does Pitcher Mean?
The pitcher is the player who throws the ball to the catcher in an attempt to strike the opposition batter. Baseball pitchers have always played a crucial role and have been selected for different situations.
Moreover, there are different types of pitchers have on baseball sport. The coach and team selected the pitcher based on the game’s needs.
It is said that pitchers can change the game situation. A team with good and skilled pitchers has good points to win the game. Undoubtedly, pitchers need proper skills in throwing and playing entire innings.
Types of Pitchers in Baseball
Pitchers always play an essential role in the game. There are different types of pitchers you will discover in a baseball sport. However, all are not important. Here, you will get the top 10 pitchers in baseball.
They have different roles and capabilities to play. So, keep reading to get further information about the following 10 pitchers in baseball.
1. Starting pitcher
A Starting Pitcher is also called the first pitcher in the game. Their main role is to pass some of the turns and keep playing the entire game. Starting pitchers always played a vital role in winning the game.
MLB does not fix the number of Starting Pitchers. Different teams have different numbers of Starting pitchers. So, it is tricky to say the accurate number of Starting pitchers in the game.
The team coach also replaces a Starting pitcher at any time. When the coach thinks that the Starting Pitcher is not playing much better, he can easily replace the Starting pitcher with a new one.
2. Power Pitcher
Power Pitcher is also an important position in baseball sport. A power pitcher is known for his throw speed because power pitcher players are always selected for best throwing and arm speed.
On the other hand, a power pitcher is often known as tall and muscular and throws the ball at a speed of around 100 miles per hour. So, it is true that only some baseball players can take the power pitcher position.
Learn: How To Increase Pitching Velocity By 10 MPH
Based on this position, the team pays the players. However, a power pitcher takes a high amount of money from the team. They also need to keep performing the entire game without taking much rest on the field.
3. Relief Pitcher
A coach replaced Starting pitcher with a Relief pitcher. This type of baseball pitcher easily takes the position of Starting pitcher. Relief pitcher spend their time in the bullpen.
There are different types of Relief pitchers on a team. Some of them are popular to know Long Relief baseball players (LR). It means they have lots of boost and energy to play the entire game.
But, a middle Relief is only ready to play a few innings. The coach selects them for one or two innings. Steps guys are used later while initial relief guys have been pulled.
Overall, the closer of the game is responsible for ending the game, which is also known save. Based on the game condition, the coach used Relief pitchers.
4. Finesse Pitchers
Finesse pitchers are designed to bring better output to the game. Though this pitcher does not play a major role in the sport like Starting pitcher or power pitcher, they always helped the team get better output.
Moreover, Finesse pitchers rely on changeups, curveballs, and other breaking pitchers. These things are essential to get better pitches.
MLB does not fix the number of Finesse pitchers. The team can choose the number of Finesse pitchers. However, most of the Finesse pitchers have one or two.
5. Control Pitchers
Control pitchers are always known for their accuracy and precision to improve the game’s output. Unlike speedy-arm baseball players, they throw accurately.
They don’t depend on the speed throw; they only focus on the accurate throw. Moreover, Control Pitchers have minimum speed, accuracy, and movement. Their movement is far better than other positions in baseball.
On the other hand, Control pitchers focus on the low ball in the strike zone, which makes the batters hit difficult. Furthermore, they may not strike out like other power pitchers, but the position is truly effective on the field.
6. Long Reliever
Long Reliever baseball position is another part of the Starting Pitcher. The Long Reliever played look like Starting Pitcher. Long Reliever is used against Starting Pitcher.
When the Starting Pitchers are unable to play properly or finish the game (because of injury, fatigue, or poor performance), the coach replaces the Starting Pitcher with Long Reliever.
So many people think that Long Relievers are Starting Pitchers, but they are wrong. Long Reliever is not Starting pitcher. Starting pitchers have long stamina, while Long Reliever is selected for one or two innings.
On a team, there are several types of Long Relievers. Coaches are used as Long Relievers at the right time in the game.
7. Middle Reliever
The position of this pitcher is somewhere in the middle of the game. Their position still needs to be fixed. They can take charge anywhere in the middle section of the field.
Middle Relievers are played in 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. Though their innings are not fixed, most of the middle Reliever played on these innings in the game.
After playing these innings, they will hand the ball off to the setup guy. This is a minor pitcher position in the game, and they don’t have any specific skills for this position.
8. LOOGY Pitchers
LOOGY pitcher is a pitcher who is specialized in throwing the ball by their left hand and the master of a couple of pitchers. The team used LOOGY pitchers in crucial and clutch situations.
In addition, this pitcher is a lost art in the MLB due to three batter rules. These rules have not killed this pitcher in the game. Still, they are used for effective and crucial situations.
Typically, LOOGY pitchers need only one or two games. They have enough boost and throwing skills to play the entire game without facing any energy or technical problem.
9. Swingman
Swingman pitchers are always focused on Starting Pitchers and Reliever pitchers. This pitcher in baseball is focused on these pitchers, and they also played on other pitchers’ place in the game.
Undoubtedly, Swingman is a valuable asset to the team. The team selects Swingman who can play several innings without losing his energy on the game.
However, MLB has some restrictions on choosing the number of Swingman on the baseball team. But how many Swingmen a team can choose for their game is still being determined.
10. Closers
Closers are selected for the team to save until the final innings. The role of the Close pitcher is going to be getting the final 3 outs. Closers can be heroes every time because he mounds as he takes the opposition team away.
This pitcher always has great command of high-speed throwing in the game. Selecting a team’s closers is difficult because most of the closers fall victim to fatigue.
If the closers come with injury, it is easier for the team to replace them with another closer in the game. This pitcher is also a game-changer in the game. Overall, he played a vital role in the game as well as the entire innings.
Is Pitcher Important for Baseball Sport?
Of course, the pitcher is important for the baseball team. Even it can measure the game, win or lose. There are different types of baseball pitchers have on the sport which used at the perfect time.
A team chooses the pitchers carefully. There have some special pitchers who can change the game situation. The coach and team choose the pitcher for different innings.
Overall, pitchers played an important role in winning the game. So, there is no doubt that pitchers are a game changer and helps the team strongly to win.
You can learn about various positions in baseball from this article: Positions On The Baseball Field
How Many Pitchers Have on a Baseball Team?
A team can carry 14 pitchers for the game. They need to carry a total of 28 players for the game. But, the limitation of pitchers is 14. MLB is allowed up to 14 pitchers for the innings.
On the other hand, the baseball team can consider other players with different positions. For example, they can consider roasters or other baseball players.
FAQs (Frequently Ask Questions)
Q: How many types of pitchers are there?
Answer: It needs to be fixed on how many types of pitchers have in baseball. However, you will discover a maximum of 14 pitchers on a team. But the above 10 pitchers are top-rated and widely used in baseball.
Q: Why are there different types of pitchers?
Answer: There are different types of pitchers because they are used in different positions in the game. For example, the middle pitcher played in the middle position. On the other hand, Starting pitcher played for speed throwing. The coach or team used the pitchers based on the game’s needs.
Q: How many pitchers can play?
Answer: No rules are set about the number of pitchers who can play in the game. The team can carry 14 pitchers but they need to be fixed to play on the ground.
Q: Are there 12 or 13 pitchers?
Answer: There are 14 pitchers on a team. According to MLB rules, a team can carry a maximum of 14 pitchers. But there are no rules for how many pitchers can play in the game. In 2022, MLB rules about the pitchers, and they fixed that a team can carry 14 pitchers.
Wrapping Up!
A team can carry different types of pitchers in baseball. But, in MLB, they can’t carry up to 14 pitchers. However, pitchers are the players who play in the baseball game in different positions. However, pitchers are played a vital role because they are always game-changers.
However, Staring pitchers, control pitchers, relief pitchers, and some other pitchers are widely used in the game. Check out the above 10 pitchers to get a clear concept and easily identify the types of pitchers.
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Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.