The WHIP (Walks & Hits per Innings Pitched) statistic is one of the most important statistics in Major League Baseball (MLB). It measures the number of baserunners a pitcher allows per inning pitched, providing a great measure of a pitcher’s effectiveness and efficiency. A low WHIP indicates that a pitcher is able to limit the number of baserunners they allow, while a high WHIP means they are allowing too many baserunners and not pitching effectively. So, who has the lowest WHIP in MLB?
Jacob deGrom: Lowest WHIP in MLB
The current record holder for the lowest WHIP in MLB is Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets. In 2019, deGrom posted a 0.912 WHIP, the lowest mark in baseball since Pedro Martinez posted a 0.937 WHIP in 2000. deGrom was dominant throughout the season, leading the league in strikeouts (255) while posting a 2.43 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. His performance earned him the National League Cy Young Award, making him the first Mets pitcher to win the award in consecutive years.
The History of Low WHIPs in MLB
Although deGrom currently holds the record for lowest WHIP in MLB, he is not the first pitcher to post a low WHIP. Throughout MLB history, there have been a number of pitchers who have been able to limit the number of baserunners they allowed. Some of the most notable include Greg Maddux, who had a 0.931 WHIP in 1994, and Roger Clemens, who had a 0.933 WHIP in 1997. Additionally, Nolan Ryan had a 0.908 WHIP in 1974, and Sandy Koufax had a 0.848 WHIP in 1965.
Factors that Influence WHIP
The WHIP statistic is influenced by a number of factors, including a pitcher’s control and their ability to induce weak contact. A pitcher with good control is able to limit the number of walks they give up, while a pitcher with good command can induce weak contact and limit the number of hits they allow. Additionally, pitchers who have good velocity and/or an effective off-speed pitch can limit the number of baserunners they allow.
The Future of Low WHIPs in MLB
The future of low WHIPs in MLB is uncertain, as there are no guarantees that a pitcher will be able to continue to limit the number of baserunners they allow. However, it is likely that the trend of pitchers posting low WHIPs will continue, as teams increasingly value pitchers who can limit the number of baserunners they allow. Additionally, with the increased use of analytics and data-driven decision making, teams are likely to continue to look for pitchers who can limit the number of baserunners they allow.
Conclusion
Jacob deGrom currently holds the record for the lowest WHIP in MLB, with a 0.912 mark in 2019. While deGrom holds the record, there have been a number of pitchers throughout MLB history who have posted low WHIPs. The WHIP statistic is influenced by a number of factors, including pitch control, velocity, and command. The future of low WHIPs in MLB is uncertain, but it is likely that teams will continue to look for pitchers who can limit the number of baserunners they allow.