Backyard BaseballPitching wins championships in Backyard Baseball. While batting gets the highlights, a dominant pitcher controls the game's tempo, limits runs, and creates opportunities for your offense. This guide ranks every character by their pitching ability, factoring in raw stats, power-up synergy, stamina across a season, and situational effectiveness. Whether you need an ace for Season Play or a reliable reliever, this ranking helps you find the right arm.
How We Rank Pitchers
Our pitcher rankings use a weighted scoring system that goes beyond the raw 1-10 pitching stat. While the pitching stat is the primary factor (50% weight), we also consider power-up synergy (20%), secondary stats (20%), and stamina across a season (10%). A pitcher with 9/10 pitching who cannot field or run may be less valuable than a 7/10 pitcher with better all-around contributions.
Ranking Criteria
| Criterion | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching Stat | 50% | Raw pitch quality — speed, control, and movement |
| Power-Up Synergy | 20% | How well the character amplifies pitching power-ups |
| Secondary Stats | 20% | Batting, running, fielding contributions when not pitching |
| Season Stamina | 10% | Durability across a full season schedule |
S Tier Pitchers
Kenny Kawaguchi — 9/10 Pitching (Overall S Tier)
Kenny Kawaguchi is the undisputed best pitcher in Backyard Baseball. His 9/10 pitching stat is the highest in the game, producing consistent strikeouts and weak contact. His wheelchair limits his running to 3/10, but on the mound, running is irrelevant. His 8/10 fielding makes him a solid catcher or first baseman on days he does not pitch.
Kenny's power-up synergy is exceptional. Fire Ball with Kenny's 9/10 pitching creates a nearly unhittable combination — the ball's extreme speed amplified by his elite control means batters have almost no chance. Corkscrew becomes even more deceptive because Kenny can place the spin precisely. In Season Play, Kenny should start every third game as your ace.
Pablo Sanchez — 8/10 Pitching (Overall S Tier)
Pablo Sanchez is the second-best pitcher in the game despite having "only" 8/10 pitching. Why? Because Pablo's 10/10 batting and fielding mean he contributes elite value even on days he is not your primary pitcher. His 8/8 running gives him above-average fielding range on the mound. Pablo works as a No. 2 starter who can also hit cleanup.
Pablo's power-up synergy is strong across all pitching power-ups. He lacks Kenny's specialized mound dominance but compensates with his complete all-around game. In Season Play, start Pablo as your No. 2 pitcher behind Kenny for the best rotation.
A Tier Pitchers
Vicki Kawaguchi — 8/10 Pitching (Overall A Tier)
Vicki Kawaguchi matches Pablo's 8/10 pitching with slightly different secondary stats. Her 8/8 batting makes her a two-way threat, and she gets a chemistry buff when brother Kenny is on the same team. This buff may improve her already-strong pitching when paired with Kenny, making the Kawaguchi siblings the best pitching duo in the game.
Vicki's power-up synergy is excellent. Fire Ball and Corkscrew both work well with her 8/10 control. In Season Play, she slots as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter depending on whether Pablo is also in the rotation.
Angela Delvecchio — 7/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Angela Delvecchio is a pure pitching specialist. Her 7/10 pitching is solid if unspectacular, but her 6/6/5 secondary stats make her a one-dimensional contributor. She provides reliable innings without dominant stuff. Angela works best as a No. 3 starter in Season Play — she will keep you in games but will not dominate the way Kenny or Vicki do.
Billy Jean Blackwood — 7/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Billy Jean Blackwood matches Angela's 7/10 pitching with better secondary stats (6/6 running and fielding). She is the more versatile choice between the two 7/10 pitchers because she contributes more when not on the mound. Billy Jean works as a swing pitcher — start her when you need innings, use her in relief when your ace tires. See the Character Tier List for complete pitcher comparisons.
B Tier Pitchers
Achmed Khan — 7/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Achmed Khan's 7/10 pitching is deceptively valuable because of his chemistry buff with brother Amir. When both Khans are on the team, Achmed's effective pitching may exceed his base 7/10 rating. This chemistry effect makes Achmed a better pitcher than his raw stats suggest. Draft Achmed specifically to pair with Amir for the mutual buff.
Kiesha Phillips — 6/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Kiesha Phillips is a balanced 7/6/6/6 contributor whose 6/10 pitching is adequate for middle relief. She will not dominate, but she will not embarrass you either. In Season Play, Kiesha works as a long reliever who can eat innings when your starter tires. Her balanced stats mean she contributes at the plate and in the field when not pitching.
Sally Dobbs — 6/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Sally Dobbs has 6/10 pitching — identical to Kiesha — with an important chemistry quirk. Sally boosts brother Ronny's stats when on the same team, but Ronny is nerfed when Sally is present. This makes Sally a chemistry-dependent pick whose pitching value depends on your roster construction. Avoid drafting both Sally and Ronny to prevent the nerf.
Reese Worthington — 6/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Reese Worthington has 6/6 batting and pitching with 5/6 running and fielding. He is a balanced mid-tier pitcher who provides reliable innings without standout quality. Reese works as an emergency starter or long reliever in Season Play. He is replaceable if you find a better arm.
C Tier Pitchers
Tony Delvecchio — 5/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Tony Delvecchio has 5/10 pitching — below average for a rotation piece. His 7/10 batting makes him more valuable at the plate than on the mound. Use Tony as a position player who can pitch in emergencies, not as a regular starter. His sister Angela (7/10) is the pitching Delvecchio.
Jocinda Smith — 5/10 Pitching (Overall B Tier)
Jocinda Smith has 5/10 pitching with better running (7/10) and fielding (7/10). Like Tony, she is a position player who can pitch in emergencies. Do not count on Jocinda as a rotation piece — her 5/10 arm produces too many hittable pitches against good lineups.
Pete Wheeler — 3/10 Pitching (Overall A Tier!)
Pete Wheeler has the worst pitching stat in the entire game at 3/10. He is included here specifically to warn you: never put Pete on the mound. His 10/10 running makes him an elite position player and base stealer, but his pitching is catastrophically bad. Even with Fire Ball power-up, Pete's terrible control means the extreme speed is wasted. See the Beginner Guide for roster management tips.
Pitcher Power-Up Synergy Rankings
Power-up synergy can elevate a good pitcher to great or expose a weak arm. Here is how each top pitcher interacts with the major pitching power-ups:
| Pitcher | Fire Ball | Corkscrew | Big Freeze | Elevator | Crazy Ball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Kawaguchi (9/10) | Elite | Elite | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| Pablo Sanchez (8/10) | Strong | Strong | Good | Good | Good |
| Vicki Kawaguchi (8/10) | Strong | Strong | Good | Good | Good |
| Angela Delvecchio (7/10) | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
| Billy Jean Blackwood (7/10) | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Kenny Kawaguchi's 9/10 control amplifies every power-up — Fire Ball becomes near-unhittable, and Corkscrew's unpredictable movement becomes even more deceptive because Kenny can place it precisely. Lower-stat pitchers still benefit from power-ups but cannot maximize their effectiveness.
Season Play Pitching Rotation Strategy
In Season Play, managing your pitching rotation across a full season is critical. Unlike real baseball where you need five starters, Backyard Baseball's smaller roster size means you need 2-3 reliable arms.
The Kenny-Pablo-Vicki Rotation
The optimal rotation uses Kenny Kawaguchi as your ace (start every third game), Pablo Sanchez as your No. 2 (start every third game on Kenny's off days), and Vicki Kawaguchi as your No. 3. This gives you three 8-9/10 pitchers who can dominate any lineup. The risk is that all three are also your best hitters, meaning their hitting may suffer from pitching fatigue.
The Balanced Rotation
A safer approach uses Kenny as your ace, then fills the No. 2 and No. 3 spots with Angela Delvecchio or Billy Jean Blackwood (7/10 each). This frees Pablo and Vicki for full-time hitting and fielding. The trade-off is weaker pitching in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. Check the Season Mode Guide for detailed rotation management.
Managing Pitcher Fatigue
Pitcher fatigue is a real factor in Season Play. Starting the same pitcher every game leads to declining performance. Rotate your pitchers to keep them fresh. When your ace tires in the late innings, have a reliever ready — Billy Jean Blackwood or Kiesha Phillips can eat 2-3 innings in relief.
FAQ
Who is the best pitcher in Backyard Baseball?
Kenny Kawaguchi is the best pitcher with 9/10 pitching — the highest in the game. His Fire Ball combination is nearly unhittable. He is the ideal ace for Season Play.
Can Pete Wheeler ever pitch effectively?
No. Pete's 3/10 pitching is the worst in the game. Even with power-ups, his terrible control means pitches miss the zone frequently. Keep Pete in the outfield where his 10/10 speed belongs.
Do chemistry buffs affect pitching?
Yes. The Khan brothers buff improves both Achmed and Amir when paired. Vicki Kawaguchi may also receive a pitching buff when Kenny is on the team. These chemistry effects make certain pitchers better than their base stats suggest.
Should I use my best pitcher or best batter for power-ups?
Pitching power-ups (Fire Ball, Corkscrew) should go to your best pitcher — Kenny at 9/10 maximizes their effectiveness. Batting power-ups (Aluminum Power) should go to your best batter — Pablo at 10/10. Never waste a pitching power-up on a weak arm.
How many pitchers do I need for Season Play?
You need a minimum of 2 reliable starters and 1 reliever. The Kenny-Pablo rotation works if you can manage fatigue. A safer approach uses 3 starters and 1-2 relievers for long relief. Check the Draft Strategy Guide for roster construction tips.