Cutter (baseball) - Popularity and Limitations

Popularity and Limitations

The cutter has achieved a boost in popularity in recent years due to its use by certain pitchers, like Dan Haren, as a way to compensate for declining four-seam fastball speed as the pitcher ages. Braves third baseman Chipper Jones attributed the increased dominance of pitchers from 2010–2011 to a more prolific use of the pitch, as did Cleveland Indians pitcher Chris Perez. By 2011, it was commonly being called the "pitch du jour" in the baseball press.

A backlash developed as the cutter's use became more widespread, due to concerns that a pitcher overusing the pitch could develop arm fatigue. Baltimore Orioles General Manager Dan Duquette instructed prized prospect Dylan Bundy not to throw the pitch in the minor leagues, believing that its adoption could make his fastball and curveball less effective. Yankee pitcher Phil Hughes developed arm fatigue and experienced a drop in his fastball's speed after developing and frequently using a cutter. Joakim Soria and Kyle Drabek have experienced similar problems.