Offspeed
Kick Change
A recent twist on the changeup that spread fast around the league. You spike a knuckle onto a seam and 'kick' the ball's spin at release, which buys splitter-like drop from a firmer changeup look. It's the trendy modern version of an old idea.
The grip
A normal changeup grip but with the middle-finger knuckle raised/spiked onto a seam. As the pitch is released the spiked middle finger pushes the ball's axis — 'kicking the axis' — to manufacture saucer-style spin that a supinator otherwise could not get.
What it does
Kicking the spin axis gives the pitch sudden, splitter-like depth while it still arrives firm for a changeup. Compared with a stock changeup it falls off harder and runs less to the arm side, opening a wide gap off the fastball.
What it really is
A 2024-era changeup that spread fast across MLB; a close relative to the split-change, reviving an older pitch idea with a spiked-middle-finger twist. Hayden Birdsong introduced it in the majors with the Giants, and Tread Athletics is credited with popularizing the grip (Birdsong has said he picked it up from watching a Tread video).
Who throws itHayden Birdsong (Giants); popularized through Tread Athletics; quickly adopted by other MLB pitchers.
Study this first
Kicking the spin axis buys splitter-like depth from a firmer changeup look. The filed Splitter is where to learn the late, downward drop the kick change is reaching for.
Basic file
This pitch has a sourced one-line grip and movement and an honest explanation, not yet a filed specimen with authored grip geometry and a full craft chapter. A fuller breakdown is coming; the source trail stays attached.
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