The radar gun reads 93.8 for a starter who usually sits near 95. Is that a pitcher velocity drop worth acting on, or noise? Start by comparing four-seamers with four-seamers, not cutters and sinkers, and match temperature, rest, role and tracking source. A slider share jumping from 25% to 35% may only reflect the opposing lineup's handedness. You get a six-step monitoring routine, from fixing your velocity window before you look at results to checking release point, movement and public lineup news before you touch a forecast. It also draws a firm line: performance data is not medical evidence, so you build innings scenarios for a shaky start and leave the diagnosing to others.
Learning objectives
Interpret the technique, reproduce the example, describe limitations, and apply it to a simulated research workflow.
