DETROIT — An unusual pitch from Jake Rogers is drawing attention across Major League Baseball, as the Detroit Tigers catcher continues to showcase a rare and effective knuckleball that has surprised hitters and teammates alike.
The pitch gained notice after Rogers struck out an opposing hitter with it late in a recent game. Even those on the receiving end acknowledged its quality, with players describing the knuckleball as difficult to track and unusually sharp in its movement. The reaction quickly spread through both dugouts, turning the moment into one of the more talked-about sequences of the game.
Receive breaking news alerts
Immigration, New York, Dominican Republic and investigative news delivered directly to your phone and computer.
Free — unsubscribe anytime.
Praise for the pitch has extended within the Tigers clubhouse. Tarik Skubal, a Cy Young Award winner, described it as a “special pitch,” noting that Rogers has been refining it for years. According to Skubal, the catcher routinely throws the knuckleball during warmups, bullpen sessions and even between innings, building a level of familiarity that sets him apart.
The knuckleball itself has become increasingly rare in modern baseball. Once used more frequently by pitchers, it is now largely absent from regular game strategy, though some players still experiment with it casually. Rogers’ version stands out not only for its effectiveness, but for the consistency with which he has developed it over time.
Rogers traced his connection to the pitch back to childhood, saying he first learned it around the age of 10, even before mastering other traditional pitches. That long history appears to be paying off, as his knuckleball continues to generate attention and could emerge as an unexpected weapon for the Tigers moving forward.
Comments (0)
Be the first to join the conversation.