By Lou Spirito and Javier Zarracina Nov. 11, 2014 12:13 PM PT Share Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URLCopied! Print 60 mph 10080907060 mph 10080907060 mph 100809070The tunnel: Extending 4 to 6 feet from the point of release, Kershaw’s “tunnel” is a zone where all his pitches look the same from the batter’s point of view.ReleasepointThe fastball accounted for 57% of Kershaw’s pitches in 2014. FASTBALL 1,506Pitches thrownOpposing batting average: .246Strikeouts: 60Avg. Velocity 92.9 mphKershaw’s “tunnel”Developed to counter the success hitters were having with his fastball. It has a velocity close to that of a fastball but breaks late in the strike zone.SLIDER709Pitches thrownOpposing batting average: .150Strikeouts: 100Avg. Velocity 87.4 mphClayton Kershaw relies primarily on three pitches to get hitters out.Kershaw has a natural ability to deliver the pitch 18 mph slower than the fastball, which makes it particularly effective.CURVEBALL 376Pitches thrownOpposing batting average: .118Strikeouts: 72Avg. Velocity 74 mphStrike zoneSources: FanGraphs, “The Physics of Baseball” by Robert K. Aadir.Kershaw’s arsenalDodgers’ Clayton Kershaw won the National Cy Young Award for the third time. Here's a look at why hispitching technique is one of the best:File name: la-sp-1111-kershaw.epsSection: SportsRun date: 11-11-14Artist: Javier X73388Size: 2colX74Reporter approved: Editor approved: P2P slug: 2363174 © Los Angeles Times
