In the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball, every pitcher is a work in progress. For Kutter Crawford of the Boston Red Sox, that progress is as much about embracing his quirks as it is about refining his craft. Crawford’s journey is a testament to the idea that success on the mound isn’t always about textbook mechanics—it’s about adaptation, resilience, and a willingness to lean into what makes you different.

Unconventional Mechanics A Delivery Unlike Any Other

Watch Crawford pitch, and you’ll notice right away: he doesn’t look like anyone else on the mound. His delivery is compact and explosive, with a short arm action that’s been likened to a raptor’s claw or a boxer cocking for a punch. This unique motion gives hitters a different look, but it also presents its own set of challenges—especially when it comes to maintaining consistency deep into games.

Crawford’s biggest battles often come in the middle innings. He’ll cruise through the first three, racking up swings and misses, only to see his command waver in the fourth and fifth. The culprit? Mechanical breakdowns—getting down the mound too quickly, his arm lagging behind, and losing his release point. Sometimes it’s fatigue, sometimes it’s the adrenaline of a strong start. Either way, Crawford has learned to recognize when things are slipping.

Adapting Under Pressure

But here’s where he separates himself: instead of unraveling, he adapts. In a recent outing against the Orioles, Crawford leaned almost exclusively on his sweeper—throwing it 19 out of his final 20 pitches—to navigate out of trouble. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.

“Even though my command isn’t the greatest, I take a lot of pride in going out there and competing, no matter what kind of stuff I have that day,” Crawford said after the game.

Evolution of an Arsenal With Unconventional Mechanics

Crawford’s evolution isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about pitch selection. Under the guidance of pitching coach Andrew Bailey, he’s cut back on his four-seam fastball in favor of his cutter and, most notably, his sweeper. The sweeper, which he added in 2023, has become a true weapon, breaking 13.2 inches away from right-handed hitters and generating a 27.9% whiff rate. It’s a pitch that not only gives hitters a new look but also helps Crawford get outs when his other stuff isn’t working.

His splitter, too, has emerged as a difference-maker. Though he used it just 9% of the time in 2024, it’s four mph slower than the league-average splitter and drops sharply from the top of the zone, inducing plenty of swings and misses. The strikeout rate on the splitter is nearly 20 points higher than his fastball, making it a pitch worth featuring more often moving forward.

In Good Company

Crawford’s journey isn’t unique—many top pitchers have overcome mechanical flaws to find success. Chris Sale, for example, has long battled imbalance and a premature back foot lift, yet his functional strength and ability to right himself after foot strike have kept him elite. Jered Weaver’s over-the-top motion and excessive spine tilt didn’t stop him from being effective, and Clayton Kershaw’s gear-shifting delivery has been honed over years to maintain his dominance. The lesson: mechanical perfection is a myth, but adaptation is everything.

The Mental Game

Physical mechanics are only half the battle. Crawford, like many pitchers, has to manage the mental side—staying focused, not overthinking, and trusting his stuff. He’s learned to compete through adversity, using mental rituals and a focus on the target to keep himself locked in, even when his command isn’t sharp.

The Path Forward

For Crawford, the next step is finding that elusive consistency. That means:

1. Refining his pitch mix, especially increasing splitter usage to keep hitters off balance
2. Trusting his mechanics and not letting mechanical tweaks become mental roadblocks
3. Leaning on his secondary pitches—the cutter, sweeper, and splitter—when things get tough
4. Maintaining mental discipline to leave mistakes behind and stay present on the mound

Crawford’s story is a reminder that in baseball, as in life, it’s not about being flawless—it’s about finding ways to win with what you’ve got. As the Red Sox look ahead, they’ll be counting on Crawford’s unique blend of grit, adaptability, and unorthodox style to keep them in the hunt, one pitch at a time.

Measure Your Own Pitching Progress

As we’ve seen with Kutter Crawford’s journey, understanding the mechanics and velocity of pitches can make all the difference in a pitcher’s development. Whether you’re a coach working with young talent or a player looking to analyze your own delivery, having reliable measurement tools is essential. Crawford’s ability to adapt his arsenal and recognize when his mechanics are slipping shows just how important technical feedback can be. If you’re interested in tracking pitch speeds and development like the professionals do, check out baseballradarguns.com for the current best radar guns available. The right equipment can help you identify patterns, track progress, and make the same kind of data-driven adjustments that have helped Crawford evolve from a pitcher with unique mechanics to a consistent contributor for the Red Sox.