Origin of Andrés Muñoz's new pitch will make Mariners fans laugh out loud

Andrés Muñoz has made his mark with his overpowering fastball and devastating slider — two pitches that have made him a staple in the Seattle Mariners bullpen and a 2024 All-Star.

But this spring, Muñoz unveiled a new pitch, now dubbed the “Kick Change," that stole a lot of attention in the Cactus League. What’s even more surprising than the pitch itself is where it came from.

As Muñoz told Eno Sarris of The Athletic, he first saw the pitch on Instagram. Not from a major league coach, a fellow pitcher, or even some professional instructor, but from a random user posting videos online. Intrigued by the pitch, Muñoz decided to try it out for himself. To his surprise, it felt natural right away. “I tried it and thought it was good,” he said.

Just like that, Muñoz's Kick Change was born.

Despite its comical origin, Andrés Muñoz's new pitch could be a difference-maker

Muñoz's new pitch made a few appearances during spring training, turning heads every time. And on Monday against the Houston Astros, he finally unveiled it in the regular season for the first time.

The pitch features some interesting movement, with late arm-side fade and just enough velocity drop to disrupt timing. It looks like a legitimate weapon. Imagine one of the best arms in the game with another filthy pitch at his disposal. Hitters should be terrified if this becomes a legitimately usable pitch for Muñoz.

It’s both amusing and fascinating that in today’s game, a major league reliever can add a new pitch to his repertoire thanks to a social media clip. In an era where data, analytics, and biomechanics drive player development, Muñoz’s story is refreshingly simple — mixing old-style simplicity with new-era ingenuity. It speaks to how open-minded and experimental pitchers have become, willing to pull ideas from anywhere if it means getting better.