The MLB is in the middle of a pitching renaissance. Ever since websites like Statcast and Baseball Savant started tracking things like spin and vertical drop, every pitcher has been using them to maximize their pitches. This has caused many to experiment with different grips and mechanics. With so much experimenting, many new pitches have been created and become popular.
The best example of this is the sweeper. Ever since 2021, every pitcher has started throwing this pitch. While it was not invented in 2021, it became a new classification of pitch, breaking away from being considered a slider. The main difference between the two is a sweeper is slightly slower and focuses on horizontal movement like it’s “sweeping across the plate.” Whereas a slider tries to have both horizontal and downward movement.
However, there appears to be a new pitch gaining popularity in 2025. During spring training, we’ve seen many pitchers start using a kick change, a pitch so nasty it’s been nicknamed “the death pitch”. But what is this new pitch, and who is at the forefront of this new phenomenon?
What is the Kick Change
Just like the sweeper, the kick change comes from trying to innovate an already established pitch. The kick change is similar to a regular changeup with a change in how they hold the pitch. When you’re gripping a kick change, you lay your index, ring, and pinking finger flat on the ball and spike your middle finger up. The spike finger gives the ball a more sideways spin, which gives it a more vertical drop.
When throwing a regular changeup, you lay all four fingers over the ball (as seen in the picture above). This allows the ball to appear to be a fastball but comes in much slower disrupting a batter’s timing. It also has some sort of drop to it.
The major difference between the two has to do with the drop of the pitch as well as the velocity. For a regular changeup, it’s more of a straight drop. It’ll look like it’s coming for the top of the zone then drop to the bottom. A kick change moves across the plate creating more of a sideway drop. The kick change is also thrown faster than a changeup.
Who are the Guys Throwing This Pitch
The guy who’s making this pitch more mainstream is Clay Holmes. Ever since it was announced the Mets were signing Holmes and planned to use him as a starting pitcher, he’s been under a microscope. After being a reliever for almost all of his MLB, many were skeptical he could make the transition. However, over his four outings in spring, he’s dominated, allowing only two runs over 14 innings, with the kick change being a big reason for his success.
Although Holmes is the one making his pitch a household name, he’s not the first one to start throwing it. Both Hayden Birdsong and Andrés Muñoz were throwing this pitch in 2024 and seeing great results. The Mariners pitching coach even called it the best pitch he had ever seen after watching Muñoz throw it. The two have used it as their putaway pitch and have produced a whiff% of over 80. This means that it’s a very effective pitch.
Because of this success, many pitchers have used the spring to try and learn it to enhance their game. The most well-known guy trying it is Jack Leiter. At one point, Leiter was one of the biggest prospects in baseball but hasn’t been able to find the same success in the pros that he’s had in college. The hope is this pitch will give Leiter another putaway pitch allowing him to be more successful. With what we’re seeing in spring, the kick change could be the story of the 2025 season.
Thanks for reading! Credit for my feature image to Newsday LLC. You can find more MLB content at Belly Up Sports and follow me on Twitter/X.
