Understanding PBI and PBI+: Measuring Pitching Dominance with Real Results
In today’s stat-heavy baseball world, it’s easy to lose sight of a simple question:
“How well is this pitcher actually dominating hitters?”
That’s where PBI and PBI+ come in—two new metrics developed to spotlight true pitching excellence using only results-based data. Unlike expected stats that try to model outcomes, these metrics focus on what actually happened on the field.
What Is PBI?
PBI (Pitcher Boost Index) is a 0–10 scaled stat that distills a pitcher’s effectiveness into one clean number. It focuses on the essentials: strikeouts, whiffs, and contact suppression.
PBI Includes:
K% – Strikeout rate
Whiff% – Swing-and-miss ability
Exit Velocity Against – Limiting hard contact (lower is better)
Barrel % Against – Suppressing dangerous, high-damage contact
Each metric is normalized to a 0–10 scale, then averaged to form the PBI score. No defense. No park factors. No expected outcomes.
What Is PBI+?
PBI+ (Enhanced Pitcher Boost Index) builds on PBI by incorporating deeper control and deception indicators. It adds plate discipline and contact management metrics to provide a full-spectrum profile of a pitcher’s ability to control the at-bat.
PBI+ Includes:
All 4 PBI stats:
K%
Whiff%
Exit Velocity Against
Barrel % Against
Plus:
5. wOBA Against – Actual offensive production allowed per plate appearance
6. O-Swing% – How often hitters chase outside the zone
7. CSW% – Called Strikes + Whiffs per pitch
8. BB% (inverse) – Penalizes walk rate
9. Hard Hit % Against (inverse) – Frequency of hard contact
10. Sweet Spot % Against (inverse) – How often they give up ideal launch angles
As with PBI, each stat is scaled 0–10 and averaged. The result is a balanced metric for command, dominance, and contact control, all rooted in real-world outcomes.
Why These Stats Matter
PBI and PBI+ strip away the noise of fielding, luck, or assumptions. They spotlight:
Dominance (K%, Whiff%)
Damage control (EV, Barrel%, wOBA)
Command and deception (CSW%, O-Swing%)
They’re the perfect complement to stuff metrics like Stuff+ or PLV—and they’re fan-friendly by design.
PBI Leaders
PBI (Pitcher Boost Index) isolates the rawest elements of pitching dominance:
Strikeouts
Swings and misses
Limiting hard and dangerous contact
There’s no accounting for walks, sequencing, or defense. Just power vs. hitters and who’s winning.
Here are the ten best pitchers in 2025 by that standard:
Breakdown & Real Insights:
Tarik Skubal (9.22)
Unstoppable. Skubal leads the league in dominance metrics, combining elite whiff rates with near-perfect contact suppression. He’s pitching like the best arm in baseball, and PBI agrees.
Zack Wheeler (8.30)
Still elite. Wheeler racks up Ks and induces weak contact with surgical precision. He remains one of the most reliable aces in the game.
Hunter Brown (8.24)
Brown has officially arrived. His whiff rate and barrel control have taken a leap, putting him firmly in ace territory.
Paul Skenes (8.06)
The rookie makes an immediate statement. His velocity and slider miss bats at an elite clip. PBI sees the pure stuff—no projection needed.
Garrett Crochet (7.78)
Crochet’s combination of velocity and deception puts him in rare company. He’s dominating hitters with both strikeouts and soft contact.
Chris Sale (7.58)
The comeback is real. Sale’s slider is slicing through lineups again, and his ability to limit barrels has returned to vintage form.
Ranger Suárez (7.52)
He doesn’t overwhelm with strikeouts, but Suárez thrives by keeping hitters off balance and limiting dangerous contact consistently.
Cristopher Sánchez (7.08)
A major leap forward. Sánchez’s strikeout rate has climbed and he’s managing hard contact far better than years past.
Jacob deGrom (7.06)
Even with limited innings, deGrom’s stuff is still ridiculous. The PBI formula recognizes his ability to miss bats and avoid barrels when on the mound.
Nathan Eovaldi (7.01)
Eovaldi has been quietly dominant. High whiff rates and a sharp drop in barrels push him into the top 10.
PBI+ Leaders
PBI+ (Enhanced Pitcher Boost Index) adds depth and discipline:
BB% (inverse), CSW%, O-Swing%
Hard-hit and sweet spot suppression
A complete measure of command and deception
If PBI is about who’s nasty, PBI+ shows who’s hardest to beat.
Top 10 Pitchers by PBI+ in 2025
Tarik Skubal (8.74)
Still the gold standard. Skubal leads both PBI and PBI+, showing his elite stuff is matched by elite command. He dominates in every possible phase.
Chris Sale (7.46)
He climbs with control. Sale’s walk rate, chase numbers, and pitch efficiency are back—making him one of the most complete pitchers in baseball.
Ranger Suárez (7.42)
Command artist. Suárez thrives in PBI+ because he limits hard contact and avoids walks. A master at quiet excellence.
Hunter Brown (7.31)
Brown remains elite. His CSW% and improving zone control back up his breakout. PBI+ confirms he’s not just overpowering—he’s strategic too.
Zack Wheeler (7.25)
Wheeler’s command and sequencing are elite, keeping him firmly among the best. His walk rate and contact profile complement the strikeouts.
Paul Skenes (7.16)
A slight dip from PBI, but still dominant. The stuff is ridiculous—PBI+ just dings him slightly for youth-related walk hiccups.
Garrett Crochet (7.10)
Crochet continues to shine. While his walk rate isn’t as polished as others above him, he keeps barrels and sweet spot contact to a minimum.
Cristopher Sánchez (7.02)
Sánchez gains in PBI+ due to his improved walk rate and steady chase profile. He’s pitching smarter, not just harder.
Nathan Eovaldi (6.91)
Experience meets execution. Eovaldi’s elite BB%, improved CSW%, and consistently weak contact earn him a well-deserved top 10 spot.
Jacob deGrom (6.90)
Even in a limited sample, deGrom remains clinical. His whiff rate and exit velocity suppression are still elite—and his walk rate is among the best in baseball.
Why the Difference Matters
If PBI is about “Can you overpower hitters?”, then PBI+ asks:
“Can you control the at-bat from first pitch to final swing?”
PBI+ gives credit to guys who:
Work ahead
Get chases and called strikes
Limit hard contact consistently
In short: PBI tells you who’s nasty. PBI+ tells you who’s tough to beat.
Why not just use SwStr instead of Whiff%?