In his first season with the Padres, veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka has been amazed by his teammate Robert Suarez’s unique approach to pitching. Suarez, the team’s closer, relies heavily on his fastball, throwing it over 80 percent of the time, with occasional use of his sinker. Despite this predictability, Suarez has excelled with a 0.52 ERA and leads the league in saves and games finished. Opponents struggle to hit his fastball, with a batting average of just .093 against it, due in part to the pitch’s characteristics and Suarez’s ability to execute it effectively.
Suarez credits Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla for helping him utilize analytics, particularly spin rate, to enhance the performance of his pitches. By focusing on spin efficiency and making adjustments to his delivery, Suarez has increased the movement and effectiveness of his fastball. Niebla worked with Suarez during spring training to synchronize his timing and improve his command, leading to the pitcher’s success on the mound. Suarez’s combination of velocity, command, and pitch characteristics has made him a formidable force in the Padres’ bullpen.
Despite his high fastball usage, Suarez has shown versatility in his pitch selection, occasionally mixing in off-speed pitches like his changeup. His ability to keep hitters off balance and vary the speed of his delivery has been key to his success. This was evident during a stretch of 79 consecutive fastballs, during which Suarez recorded consistent weak contact and stifled opposing hitters. His unusual reliance on the fastball has caught the attention of his teammates and opponents alike, as Suarez continues to dominate with his signature pitch.
Campusano notes that the effectiveness of Suarez’s fastball lies in its unpredictability, despite hitters knowing what to expect. Suarez’s ability to place his fastball effectively at the top of the zone and on the outer half, along with mixing in other pitches, keeps hitters guessing and unable to square up the ball. Suarez’s exceptional command and pitch execution have made him a valuable asset for the Padres, as he continues to excel on the mound with his high-velocity fastball.
As Suarez continues to rely heavily on his fastball, Niebla emphasizes the importance of maximizing his strengths as a reliever. While Suarez works on his changeup and other pitches between games, his primary weapon remains his fastball, with hitters struggling to make solid contact against it. Suarez’s ability to maintain his fastball’s effectiveness and adjust to opponents’ potential adjustments will be key to his continued success as a reliever. For now, his extreme fastball reliance has proven effective, with hitters continuing to struggle against his high-velocity pitches and minimal off-speed offerings.
Suarez’s unconventional approach to pitching, with a heavy reliance on his fastball, has been a point of interest in the baseball world. Very few pitchers in recent history have utilized a single pitch as frequently as Suarez does with his fastball. While adjustments may be necessary in the future, for now, Suarez’s dominance on the mound with his primary pitch has been a significant factor in the Padres’ success. As hitters continue to struggle against his high-velocity fastball, Suarez’s unique pitching style has proven to be a valuable asset for the team.
