A.J. Burnett's 2010 Fastball

A.J. Burnett Overall

	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
2009	.250	.338	.401	.334
2010	.285	.363	.457	.367

A.J. Burnett vs. LHB

	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
2009	.222	.312	.352	.303
2010	.286	.373	.444	.368

A.J. Burnett had a much tougher time against left handed batters in 2010 than in his first season as a Yankee. In addition to the jump in his overall line, Burnett's K-Rate against LHB dropped from 24.9% in 2009 to 16.2% in 2010, striking out 43 fewer.

One thing that stood out was the drop in effectiveness in A.J.'s fastball in 2010, particularly against lefties.

A.J. Burnett's Fastball vs. LHB

	PA	AVG	SLG	wOBA
2009	274	.276	.474	.378
2010	190	.371	.648	.472

A.J.'s 2010 fastball averaged 93.2 MPH, a loss of 1 MPH from 2009. He was also much less effective in throwing the pitch down and away to LHB in 2010.

A.J. Burnett's Fastball vs. LHB 2009
A.J. Burnett's Fastball vs. LHB 2010
A.J. Burnett's Fastball vs. LHB (Highlighted Zone)

	PA	AVG	SLG	wOBA
2009	83	.250	.325	.271
2010	52	.298	.489	.378

In addition to the drop in velocity, Burnett's fastball also lost some downward movement. In 2010, his fastball was dropping at a rate of 11.6 ft/sec as it crossed the plate, about 4% less than 2009. This loss of movement combined with a drop in velocity may have contributed to his reduced K-Rate to lefties, and decreased the effectiveness of his fastball down in the zone.

Comments

[bensbias]

It was so obvious throughout the year that Burnett had lost a lot of his zip yet people kept saying "he has the some of the best stuff in the game".

They clearly can't say that anymore.