Houck relied mostly on his two-seamer and nasty slider as his two pitches prior to this season. Against lefties, he blended in a splitter, but it was an average pitch.
Before the current campaign, he made progress in improving the grip on his splitter by working with new pitching coach Andrew Bailey.
According to Houck, “it’s not a traditional split with the two fingers.” “I was doing that the years before. Ultimately, though, Bails taught me [Giants pitcher] Logan Webb’s changeup/splitter grip during our first meeting.
Compared to 198 in his 21 starts the previous season, Houck has already thrown 300 splitters in 13 starts this season.
Houck relied mostly on his two-seamer and nasty slider as his two pitches prior to this season. Against lefties, he blended in a splitter, but it was an average pitch.
Before the current campaign, he made progress in improving the grip on his splitter by working with new pitching coach Andrew Bailey
According to Houck, “it’s not a traditional split with the two fingers.” “I was doing that the years before. Ultimately, though, Bails taught me [Giants pitcher] Logan Webb’s changeup/splitter grip during our first meeting.
Compared to 198 in his 21 starts the previous season, Houck has already thrown 300 splitters in 13 starts this season.
Opponents hit.310 with a.452 slugging percentage in 2023 against the pitch. This season, Houck has reduced batters to a.183 average and a.247 slugging percentage on the split, while receiving less whiffs on the splitter (40.4% last season, 26.3% in 2024).
His splitter has been improved, making it even harder to smash his slider. In terms of run value, the Houck slider is the most valuable pitch in the Major League this year.
“I think the split is a game-changer,” Alex Cora, manager of the Red Sox, stated. He has the ability to grow with it and toss it for a strike. It’s no secret that he can throw 94 and 95, but his slider-split combo is very effective.
Houck relied mostly on his two-seamer and nasty slider as his two pitches prior to this season. Against lefties, he blended in a splitter, but it was an average pitch.
Before the current campaign, he made progress in improving the grip on his splitter by working with new pitching coach Andrew Bailey.
According to Houck, “it’s not a traditional split with the two fingers.” “I was doing that the years before. Ultimately, though, Bails taught me [Giants pitcher] Logan Webb’s changeup/splitter grip during our first meeting.
Compared to 198 in his 21 starts the previous season, Houck has already thrown 300 splitters in 13 starts this season.
Houck relied mostly on his two-seamer and nasty slider as his two pitches prior to this season. Against lefties, he blended in a splitter, but it was an average pitch.
Before the current campaign, he made progress in improving the grip on his splitter by working with new pitching coach Andrew Bailey
According to Houck, “it’s not a traditional split with the two fingers.” “I was doing that the years before. Ultimately, though, Bails taught me [Giants pitcher] Logan Webb’s changeup/splitter grip during our first meeting.
Compared to 198 in his 21 starts the previous season, Houck has already thrown 300 splitters in 13 starts this season.
Opponents hit.310 with a.452 slugging percentage in 2023 against the pitch. This season, Houck has reduced batters to a.183 average and a.247 slugging percentage on the split, while receiving less whiffs on the splitter (40.4% last season, 26.3% in 2024).
His splitter has been improved, making it even harder to smash his slider. In terms of run value, the Houck slider is the most valuable pitch in the Major League this year.
“I think the split is a game-changer,” Alex Cora, manager of the Red Sox, stated. He has the ability to grow with it and toss it for a strike. It’s no secret that he can throw 94 and 95, but his slider-split combo is very effective.
