In today’s velocity-driven MLB, curveballs are becoming a rare sight, falling out of favor as teams prioritize power over pitch variety — with usage dropping by over 20,000 annually.
The Oakland Athletics have used curveballs on just 2.5% of their pitches this season. Across the league, curveball usage dropped from 10.7% in 2019 to a record low of 8.1% last season — the lowest since MLB began tracking pitch data in 2008 — before edging up slightly to 8.5% this year.
Compared to five years ago, pitchers threw 22,962 fewer curveballs in 2024.
“You don’t see many guys using the classic 12-6 curveball anymore,” said Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz. “Most pitchers prefer a sharp cutter or slider — it’s just easier to throw a sweeper than a true 12-6 curve.”
Despite the trend, Baz still uses his curve at a relatively high rate — 28.1% — ranking him seventh among pitchers who have thrown at least 1,000 pitches this season.
Veteran right-hander Charlie Morton of the Baltimore Orioles leads the league with a 39% curveball usage. He credits his father for teaching him the pitch.
“My dad found something in a book or an article,” said the 41-year-old Morton. “He told me to throw it like you’re flicking a knife.”
