Why Andrés Muñoz’s New Pitch Could Make Him MLB’s Most Feared Closer
An Additional Breakdown from Keep It Electric Podcast
Seattle Mariners' flamethrowing closer Andrés Muñoz has long been one of the most electrifying relievers in Major League Baseball. Armed with a blistering fastball that averages 99-100 mph, a devastating slider that baffles hitters, and an occasional sinker that keeps batters off balance, Muñoz has already solidified his place among the league’s elite. In 2024, opponents managed just a .186 batting average against his fastball, while his slider helped him rack up a strikeout rate exceeding 33%. Despite his dominance, Muñoz is not content to rely on past success. This spring, he introduced a new pitch that has Mariners camp buzzing—the "kick changeup."
During a bullpen session in February, Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth witnessed Muñoz unleash a changeup for the first time in his career. His reaction? Sheer astonishment. Woodworth called it "the single best pitch he’s ever seen." That kind of praise from a seasoned pitching coach speaks volumes.
So, what makes the kick changeup so special? Unlike a traditional changeup that relies on pronation to create movement, Muñoz’s version functions more like a split-change, utilizing a grip that allows for a natural downward drop without disrupting his typical throwing motion. The result? A pitch that tunnels with his fastball but drops nearly a foot as it reaches the plate, all while maintaining a deceptive 91-93 mph velocity. In early spring training action, hitters were visibly stunned, either frozen in place or swinging through air.
Why This Changeup is Such a Big Deal
Muñoz already forces hitters into a brutal guessing game between his overpowering fastball and sweeping slider. Now, adding a changeup with similar arm speed but a significant velocity drop creates a nightmare scenario for opponents. Here’s why this pitch could elevate him to an entirely new level:
Velocity Whiplash: A 100 mph fastball, an 88 mph slider, and now a 92 mph changeup mean hitters have to prepare for three vastly different speeds in the same at-bat. If they cheat on the fastball, they’ll be out in front of the changeup. If they sit on the off-speed stuff, the heater will blow past them.
Elite Tunneling Effect: The changeup initially appears identical to his fastball, only to drop off the table late. This deception will lead to countless mistimed swings and weak contact.
Better Left-Handed Matchups: Historically, lefties have fared slightly better against Muñoz due to the way his slider moves. The changeup, which fades away from left-handed hitters, gives him a deadly weapon to neutralize them.
Flexibility in High-Leverage Situations: A deeper arsenal means Muñoz can keep hitters off balance even in long at-bats, execute different game plans based on opponent tendencies, and avoid predictability late in counts.
Impact on the Mariners and Their Postseason Aspirations
With Paul Sewald traded in 2023, Muñoz became Seattle's full-time closer, proving he could handle the pressure of the ninth inning. However, the addition of a dominant changeup could redefine his role entirely, making him:
A Matchup-Proof Closer: No longer vulnerable to left-handed hitters, Muñoz can confidently take on any part of the lineup without requiring a platoon-based bullpen approach.
A Multi-Inning Weapon: If the Mariners find themselves in tight postseason games, Muñoz's efficiency and new pitch mix might allow him to handle four or five outs instead of just three.
A Psychological Advantage: The mental toll on opposing hitters trying to prepare for three elite pitches is significant. Just as Trevor Hoffman’s changeup or Mariano Rivera’s cutter forced batters into uncomfortable swings, Muñoz’s new arsenal could create the same fear factor.
With the Mariners eyeing a return to the postseason, Muñoz's evolution could be the final piece that transforms the bullpen from great to championship-caliber. If his kick changeup is as dominant as early reports suggest, Seattle might just have the most feared closer in baseball.
