Sales’ dip in velocity by design

CHICAGO — Chris Sale’s average fastball velocity through six 2016 starts has dropped from 94.5 mph to 92.3 in comparison to 2015, per Fangraphs. But this dip is by design, not a cause for concern.

Much has been made of the White Sox ace’s desire for early contact on the heels of his single-season franchise-record of 274 strikeouts. That velocity change factors into this plan, but it’s also a sign of a more mature Sale on the mound, valuing every pitch he throws.

“That’s probably the biggest part of my change, is not throwing every single pitch as hard as I can every inning, every out. I waste a lot of pitches doing that,” Sale told MLB.com prior to his Saturday start against the Twins. “I’ve noticed being able to throw strikes down in the zone where last year my fastball was just getting crushed.

“You can throw 96, but if it’s up, they are going to hit it. I’m starting to realize it’s more location than it is speed and velocity.

“There are still times to overpower guys,” Sale said. “But when you are going through a game, there’s no reason to throw a 0-0 pitch as hard as you can just …

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