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Astros hitters against 100+ mph pitches from 2021 to 2025

Playing around with some data today and the Astros against pitches 100+ mph since 2021.

2023 was a weird season, y'all.

That's an estimated $66.7 million due to the 16 arbitration-eligible Astros, per @mlbtraderumors.bsky.social, which generally does a very good job with these projections - www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/proj...

Astros Four-Seam Pitch Movement by Induced Vertical Break and Horizontal Break, 2021 to 2025

Pitching staffs are never the same year-to-year, much less even similar across multiple seasons, but it's fun to see what has changed in terms of pitch movement.

Also, the 2022 staff was just incredible.

For old times sake: Springer Dinger.

Aaron Boone will still find a way to blame the Astros.

To clarify, because it is late and I didn't notice in my code, but that is four-seam whiff rates...

As a follow-up, we all know Christian Walker had issues with four-seam fastballs in 2025 compared to past seasons, home or road. That much isn't in dispute.

With that said, I find the stark difference between home and the road whiff rates fascinating, considering the past batter eye adjustments.

Unfortunately, I do not know on a per plate or game status. Perhaps Baseball Savant? I haven’t looked there yet.

From the always valuable Baseball-Reference.

Injuries, especially to Paredes, notably hampered the Astros' efforts to improve their pitch selectivity. There was some improvement, but it was not substantial.

What To Change: Hitting Coaches Or Player Personnel? Your best source for quality Houston Astros news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.

What To Change: Hitting Coaches Or Player Personnel?

Pretty cool that the Astros let France play the day they surrendered.

Christian Walker at home:
.202/.279/.342, 8 HR, 32.4% K%, 74 wRC+

Christian Walker on the road:
.262/.309/.463, 18 HR, 24% K%, 114 wRC+

Zach Cole has 4 home runs in 44 plate appearances this month. That’s something positive.

Well, there’s that.

Trading away Kyle Tucker certainly doesn't help either...

Having hitters like Yordan, Paredes, Meyers, and Peña healthy for even the majority of a season would certainly help in this regard. But, still, not great...

Astros' Batters Run Value vs Sliders from 2022 to 2025

Whatever the Astros do in the offseason, I hope they can somewhat reverse this trend against sliders.
Only the Rockies posted a worse Batter Run Value against sliders (-36) this season.

Zach Cole has definitely played himself into the 2026 roster conversation.

Framber Valdez against the A's: 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 92 pitches, 65 strikes, 48 swings, 16 whiffs, 10 groundouts, 89.7 mph average exit velocity. If that was it for Valdez in an Astros uniform, it was a vintage showing. He finishes the season with a 3.66 ERA.

Runs scored per game started by starting pitcher

There are 23 pitchers with a RS/GS (runs scored per game started) under 4.0 runs. Framber Valdez (3.3 RS/GS) and Hunter Brown (3.9 RS/GS) are among those 23.

Of course, the lineup hasn’t been producing regardless in recent months, no matter the pitcher.

My heart breaks for Luis.

Theme of the offseason: Soul searching.

Why can’t we have nice things?!

Team slugging percentage in the second half

In the season’s second half, only four teams have scored less runs than the Astros (241). Just two teams have had a lower slugging percentage than Houston (.378).

Saving to my reading list. Thanks!

Anyone have any good book suggestions? I think my October is going to be wide open.

Me, on Opening Day: 📈

Me, today: 📉