How Do You Throw Off Speed Pitches Like Johan Santana?
Since 2003, Johan Santana has baffled major league hitters with nasty sliders and 95 mph fastballs. But it’s Santana’s off-speed pitch that has set him apart and made him into a perennial Cy Young Award contender. Santana’s circle change-up has been said to “moon walk” its way to the plate making it nearly impossible to hit. Learn how to master this filthy pitch. Take your thumb and place it on the inside of a baseball. Grip the ball with your index finger across the seams and your middle and ring fingers on top (knuckles touching the seams). Finally, position the pinkie on the seams on the outside of the baseball (knuckle also on the seams). Throw the pitch with a stiff wrist using the same arm speed as if you were throwing a fastball. Allow the baseball to glide off your fingers towards home plate as you pronate your wrist slightly at the release. Get a feel for the grip of a circle change. The change-up is a “feel” pitch which means that the baseball should feel like an extension of
