Fastball velocity in Major League Baseball hit a record high for the sixth straight season and batting averages remained near all-time lows in this era of pitching dominance. Four-seam fastballs averaged 94.8 mph this year, according to MLB Statcast, up from 94.5 mph last season and 91.9 mph when tracking started in 2008. In a sign the upward trend is likely to continue, pitchers 25 or younger as of June 30 averaged 95.9 mph.

"I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to know that getting 97 by someone is a little easier than 91," said Atlanta left-hander Chris Sale, a 37-year-old who averaged a career-high 96.1 mph this year. Pittsburgh had the hardest throwers, with a 96.3 mph average, and the Chicago Cubs ranked last at 93.7 mph.

There were a record 5,687 pitches of 100 mph or more, up from 3,701 last year. Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski alone threw 1,115 pitches 100 mph or faster, shattering the previous record. "It's crazy, man. Everybody throws 100," said New York Yankees third baseman Ryan Mc Mahon. Four-seam velocity at Triple-A averaged 93.6 mph, up from 92.7 when tracking started in 2022.

Pitchers threw a record-low 21 complete games, down from last year's prior mark of 28. This year's batting average of .244 was down from .245 last season. Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez hit .316 to win the big league batting title, the lowest figure for the overall champion.