The statement is absolutely correct: the massive surge in high-velocity pitches is the defining feature of modern baseball, and the statistic you cited—51,597 pitches at 98 MPH or higher in 2025—is a terrifying statement about the current state of pitching.
While exact historical comparison numbers vary slightly based on data source (Statcast vs. PitchFX), the trend of a fivefold or greater increase in high-velocity pitches is undeniable and marks a dramatic shift in the sport’s biomechanics and philosophy.
The Key Statistics That Define the Velocity Era
The 2025 MLB season saw several milestones that confirm the “velocity revolution”:
- The 100 MPH Floor: For the first time in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008), every single MLB team had at least one pitcher record a pitch of 100 MPH or higher in the 2025 season.
- Starters Joining the Club: While the velocity push was initially driven by relievers (like Jhoan Duran and Mason Miller, who average over 100 MPH), starting pitchers like Hunter Greene and Tarik Skubal are also regularly touching or exceeding the 100 MPH mark.
- The Biomechanics Edge: The increase isn’t random; it’s driven by sophisticated training that maximizes ground force and rotation, combined with pitch modeling that identifies the most effective spin axis and release point (often called “stuff+”). Velocity is now the foundation upon which complex pitch mixes are built.
The Question: Future or Fire?
The core debate among fans and analysts remains: Are we witnessing the future of pitching, or are we burning toward an injury crisis?
| The Argument for “Future” (Evolution) | The Argument for “Burning” (Risk) |
| Increased Longevity: Pitchers are throwing fewer innings (due to pitch counts and six-man rotations) and maximizing effort in those short bursts. | Epidemic of Arm Injuries: The constant maximal effort is leading to an alarming rate of UCL tears and Tommy John surgeries, as the human elbow cannot withstand the repeated biomechanical stress. |
| Peak Performance: Higher velocity creates greater spin and movement, making hitters’ reaction time near the “edge of human capability.” This is maximizing pitch effectiveness. | The Pitch Clock Factor: Many analysts believe the pace-of-play rules (like the pitch clock) prevent pitchers from fully recovering between pitches, exacerbating the physical toll of throwing 100+ MPH. |
| Talent Pool Depth: Global talent identification and training technology means the supply of high-velocity arms is constantly increasing. | Loss of Artistry: The prioritization of brute force over pitch-to-contact, finesse, or endurance is changing the aesthetics of the game and reducing the number of 200+ inning workhorses. |
The consensus among major league GMs is that the velocity trend is irreversible—it’s too effective. The focus has shifted from reducing velocity to finding ways to manage the workload and mitigate the injury risk that comes with it.
