Baseball has gone through changes over the last generation. The increase in data availability gives us insight on some of these changes. Below is a multitude of charts attempting to illustrate these changes. All data from Baseball-reference and Fangraphs. All data represents MLB league wide. Part I features general offense and overall pitching.
Three outcome (walk, strikeout, homerun) changes per plate appearance were fairly consistent from the mid 90s through 2010 then a sharp increase around 2015 peaking in 2020. So far, a gradual drop off since 2020 to 2017 levels.
Changes to the number of balls parallel the three outcome changes. Balls in play started to drop around 2008 and continued through 2020 with a balls in play steady over the last 5 seasons.
Hits per game. Number of hits per game dropped as the balls in play dropped around 2008-2010.
Number of 100+ mph pitches per game
Batting average on balls in play. Small fluctuations over the last 30 seasons between 0.290 and 0.300
Percent of plate appearances resulting in balls in play. See first two graphs above.
Walks per plate appearance. This dropped starting around 2000 and bottomed out around 2015 before returning to 2005 levels.
Strikeouts per plate appearance. Again, see the first two graphics above. Sharp increases starting around 2008 and peaking in 2020. Strikeouts have been falling slightly over the last 5 seasons to 2018 levels.
Strikeouts per plate appearance during two-strike counts. Pretty consistent upward climb across the board since the late 2000s.
Runs per game started falling around 2000 with a big drop between 2005 and 2014. A sharp bounce back between 2014 and 2019.
Percent of runs via homerun. Flat rate from the mid 1990s to 2015 then a sharp increase coinciding with drop in balls in play.
Homeruns per plate appearance
Number of bunts
Number of 100+ mph pitches. Large increase since 2020.
Number of 95+ mph pitches. Big increase between 2012-2014 which remained flat from 2015 to 2019 then a steady increase over the last 5 seasons.
Average pitch velocity - Six different pitches. All pitch speeds have climbed continuously since 2008. Since 2005, average speeds are up 5 mph.
Number of 95+ mph pitches per game
The average change up in 2025 is as fast as the average slider in 2002.
The average cut fastball is as fast as the average 4 seem fastball in 2002.
95+ mph pitches are more frequent occurring every 5 pitches compared to every 13 pitches in 2008.
Fastball usage was pretty consistent through 2020 between 36-37%. Since 2020, usage has dropped to 31%.
Curveball usage rose slowly between 2008 (12%) and 2015 (14%) then rose sharply until 2022 (23%)
Pitch type frequency - Change up/breaking ball/cutter) pitches ONLY
First pitch fastballs have slowly dropped since 2008 while first pitch breaking balls have risen.
Number of pitches per game for starting Pitchers is down since 2015.
Relief pitching total plate appearances remained consistent until 2015 peaking around 2020. Over the last 5 seasons, relief pitcher usage has remain steady with a small drop off in 2025.
Starting pitching - plate appearance 3rd and 4th time through order
Offensive output (wOBA) against starting pitching - 1st through 4th time through order and overall relief pitching (wOBA).
Defensive Shifts - Batting average with balls in play
Defensive Shifts - Overall offense (wOBA)
Flyball percentages are back on par with 2005-2010 levels after a slow rise since 2015. Ground balls are down over the same time frame. Line drives are steady.
Part II will feature specific game situation summaries
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