Eephus Pitch
Also known as: eephus, junk pitch, lob pitch
The eephus is a very slow, high-arcing pitch thrown with minimal arm speed — often 30-40 mph slower than a fastball — designed purely to disrupt a hitter's timing with an extreme change of pace.
Where a typical changeup aims for a modest speed differential of 8-12 mph off the fastball, the eephus goes to the opposite extreme, sometimes arriving in the 50-70 mph range regardless of a pitcher's fastball velocity. Thrown with a soft, almost lobbed release and a high arc, it relies entirely on timing disruption rather than movement or velocity to be effective. Because it is thrown so rarely — often only once or twice a game, or once in a career for some pitchers — it functions more as a surprise weapon and a mental disruptor than a repeatable weapon in an arsenal.
The eephus carries real risk: if a hitter times it well, its lack of velocity gives them an unusually long look, and a squared-up eephus can be hit extremely hard. It is generally thrown only in specific counts (often ahead in the count, or in low-leverage situations) and works best as a rarely used changeup-of-changeups rather than a pitch a hitter can prepare for across an at-bat.
Example
Up in the count 0-2, the veteran pitcher floated a 58 mph eephus pitch that arced high over the plate, freezing the hitter who took it for a called strike three.
Why it matters
The eephus illustrates timing disruption in its purest form — useful context even for pitchers who never throw one, since it shows how much of hitting success depends on anticipated timing rather than pure bat speed.
How it shows up on video
On video, the eephus is unmistakable: dramatically reduced arm speed through the delivery and a high, looping arc compared to every other pitch in the outing.
Common mistakes
- Throwing it too often, which removes the surprise element that makes it effective and gives hitters time to prepare for it
- Locating it over the heart of the plate, where its lack of velocity makes it an easy target if the hitter is not surprised
- Using it in high-leverage counts where a mistimed swing could still produce a hard-hit ball with real consequences
Frequently asked questions
Is the eephus a legal pitch?
Yes — there is no rule against extremely slow pitches, as long as the delivery follows normal pitching rules (no quick pitch, no balk with runners on).
Related terms
- Effective VelocityEffective velocity is the idea that a pitch's perceived speed to a hitter depends on its location — inside pitches feel faster, outside and low pitches feel slower — not just its radar-gun reading.
- Pitch MixA pitcher's pitch mix is the combination and proportion of pitch types thrown — for example 55% fastball, 20% slider, 15% changeup, 10% curveball — and how that mix shifts by count and batter.
- Changeup (Pitching)The changeup is an off-speed pitch thrown with fastball arm speed but held deeper in the hand to reduce velocity by 8–15 mph, disrupting timing.
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