What is a Pitchout? Definition and Examples
A pitchout is a deliberate ball thrown outside the strike zone on an expected stolen-base attempt, designed to give the catcher a clear throwing lane to nail the runner.
What is a Pitchout?
A pitchout is a defensive play call where the pitcher intentionally throws a ball well outside the strike zone — typically high and away — on a pitch where the defense expects the baserunner to attempt a stolen base. The goal is not to get a strike, but to force the batter to hold, position the catcher in an optimal throwing stance, and give him the maximum possible distance and angle to throw out the runner at second or third base. Pitchouts are almost always called with a runner on first or second, with fewer than two outs, and when the defense believes the runner has a high probability of stealing.
The pitchout is a strategic trade: the pitcher gives up a ball in the count (often making it 2-0 or 3-1) in exchange for a much higher chance of recording an out on the basepaths. It is not a pitch type — it is a location and intent decision. A pitchout is scored as a ball if the batter does not swing, which is almost always the case because the pitch is unhittable by design. If the batter does swing — a rare occurrence — it is usually a missed swing because the ball is too far outside.
How a Pitchout is Executed
The catcher signals for a pitchout using a specific sign, typically touching his chest or thigh. The pitcher then delivers a fastball — the pitch with the most predictable location — aimed at the catcher's glove, which is positioned roughly 12 to 18 inches outside the edge of the plate. The catcher receives the ball while already in a crouched, balanced throwing position, having popped up early to catch the ball on the outside edge. This shaves critical tenths of a second off his exchange time.
Statcast tracks pitchout frequency through its pitch classification system. A pitch is classified as a pitchout when its horizontal location is beyond a certain distance from the center of the plate (typically more than 2.5 feet from the plate center) and the catcher is set up outside. Pitchouts are not counted as strikes, and they do not count against the pitcher's strike rate. They do count as balls in the count.
Worked Example
In 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers led MLB with 47 pitchouts called. Will Smith, their catcher, threw out 28% of attempted base stealers — slightly above the league average of 22%. In a June game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Corbin Carroll on first base and one out, Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone threw a 93 mph four-seam fastball three feet outside the plate. Carroll broke for second on the pitch, Smith caught the ball and threw to second in 1.89 seconds pop time, and shortstop Mookie Betts applied the tag for the out. The pitchout converted a potential scoring threat into an out, and the Dodgers went on to win 5-3.
Why a Pitchout Matters
The pitchout is a high-leverage defensive tool. A successful stolen base puts a runner in scoring position, which increases the offense's run expectancy by roughly 0.2 to 0.3 runs. A caught stealing removes that runner entirely and adds an out, swinging run expectancy by over 0.5 runs in the defense's favor. Teams that deploy pitchouts strategically — usually against elite base stealers like Trea Turner, Bobby Witt Jr., or Elly De La Cruz — convert those opportunities into outs at a much higher rate than the league-average caught-stealing rate.
For fantasy and DFS players, pitchout frequency is a signal of how a team views a runner's steal probability. A catcher who receives many pitchouts is one whose arm the team trusts. A pitcher who throws many pitchouts is one who struggles with holding runners — the pitchout is a compensation for a slow delivery. In card simulation games, pitchout frequency correlates with catcher pop time and pitcher extension metrics.
Limitations and Misconceptions
A pitchout is not a guaranteed out — even a perfect pitchout can result in a safe steal if the runner gets an elite jump or the catcher's throw is off-line. It is also not a pitch that can be thrown repeatedly; using it too often gives hitters a free ball in the count and inflates pitch counts. A common misconception is that a pitchout is a sign of weakness — in reality, it is a calculated aggression, a bet that the defense's execution will beat the runner's speed. Pitchouts are also often confused with intentional balls or "waste pitches" — but those are thrown for different reasons, such as setting up a double play or avoiding a dangerous hitter.
Related Terms
In Legends Deck
In Legends Deck, catchers with elite pop time and pitchers with high extension receive rating boosts for pitchout effectiveness. The simulation models pitchouts as a defensive event with a success probability based on the catcher's arm, the runner's sprint speed, and the pitcher's delivery time. A well-timed pitchout call can swing a simulated game's win probability by over 5%, making it a hidden edge for managers who study the underlying metrics.