In baseball, a lob is often a slow, high-arching pitch, like those thrown by relief pitcher Steven Wright in 2016 for the Boston Red Sox, averaging just 78 mph. These pitches are best for confusing batters and inducing weak contact, as seen with their 0.5 WAR.
TL;DR
A lob is a slow, high-trajectory throw used primarily by position players or during defensive force plays. In MLB games, these pitches often register between 40 and 55 mph on Statcast. They serve to save pitcher arms during lopsided scores or to ensure accuracy on short tosses to first base. While rare for specialists, the lob remains a tactical necessity in specific game scenarios.
Why Do Players Use a Lob Pitch?
Players use lob pitches primarily to save the arms of primary relief pitchers during games with massive run deficits. By throwing softly, a position player avoids injury while completing the final innings of a lost cause. This strategy keeps the regular pitching staff fresh for more competitive upcoming matchups in the season.
Lobs also appear during routine defensive plays. A shortstop might lob a ball to second base to start a double play if the distance is very short. This soft touch prevents the ball from sailing past the target.
Sources:MLB Glossary on Position Players Pitching
How Does a Lob Differ From an Eephus?
A lob is a low-effort throw often lacking competitive intent, whereas an Eephus is a deliberate, tactical pitch designed to fool batters. While both move slowly and follow a high arc, the Eephus is a deceptive tool used by professional pitchers like Zack Greinke or Clayton Kershaw.
Batters often struggle with lobs because the timing is so different from a standard 95 mph fastball. However, if a lob lacks enough movement or height, it becomes an easy target for home runs. Most lobs today are tracked by systems like Hawkeye to provide fans with unique velocity data during blowouts.
Sources:Baseball Reference Bullpen
How to Tell if a Lob Is the Right Play?
Deciding to use a soft toss depends on the distance to the target and the current game situation. Players must balance the need for speed with the requirement for perfect accuracy.
- The lead is greater than six runs in the final innings
- The distance to the base is less than fifteen feet
- A teammate is already standing directly on the bag
- The runner is not fast enough to beat a slow throw
- The primary goal is avoiding an any throwing errors
Final Thoughts
Understanding the lob helps fans appreciate the strategic depth of baseball's defensive play and roster management. It's a tool for efficiency and safety. Watch for these high-arcing throws during the next blowout game.