MLB CSW 2026
Today's MLB starting pitcher CSW rates, matchup-adjusted projections, and strikeout data — updated daily for DFS and player props.
Lineup changes are reflected within 10 minutes of the official announcement.
See all 20 pitchers
Start your free 7-day trial to unlock all 20 pitchers
Unlock CSW Analysis Free →
ATH
(LHP)
COL
(RHP)
MIL
(RHP)
What is CSW in Baseball? Meaning & Definition
CSW stands for Called Strike plus Whiff rate — a baseball pitching stat that measures the percentage of total pitches resulting in either a called strike or a swinging strike (whiff). Created by Nick Pollack and Alex Fast of Pitcher List in 2018, CSW is widely considered the best single-number predictor of MLB strikeout ability because it captures both strike-zone command and swing-and-miss stuff in one metric.
A CSW above 30% signals elite strikeout upside. League-average CSW sits around 27–28%. Unlike raw whiff rate (which only counts swinging strikes), CSW also rewards pitchers who paint corners and freeze hitters — making it more predictive of future K% than swinging strike rate alone.
CSW vs Whiff Rate: What's the Difference?
Whiff rate (also called swinging strike rate) only counts pitches where the batter swings and misses. CSW adds called strikes to that number, giving a fuller picture of pitcher dominance. A pitcher who freezes hitters with elite command may have a modest whiff rate but a high CSW — and still rack up strikeouts.
Whiff Rate (SwStr%)
Swinging strikes ÷ total pitches. MLB average ~11%. Only captures swing-and-miss.
CSW%
Called strikes + whiffs ÷ total pitches. MLB average ~27%. Captures command + stuff.
For predicting future strikeouts, CSW outperforms whiff rate because it rewards both deception (whiffs) and precision (called strikes). Use CSW as your primary filter, then check whiff rate to see how a pitcher gets his Ks.
CSW Projection
Our projected CSW adjusts each pitcher's historical rate by how the opposing lineup performs against pitches in the zone. A pitcher facing a free-swinging team that whiffs at a high rate will see their projection rise, while a disciplined opponent pulls it down.
Strikeout Rate (K%)
K% measures the percentage of plate appearances that end in a strikeout. While CSW captures pitch-level dominance, K% reflects actual results over a larger sample. Pairing high CSW with high K% identifies pitchers who are both talented and proven at converting that talent into fantasy-relevant strikeouts.
Look for pitchers where CSW is high but K% hasn't caught up yet — these are regression candidates likely to increase their strikeout totals.
How to Use CSW for DFS & Props
Sort by CSW Projection to find today's best strikeout upside plays. Pitchers at the top of the list combine strong pitch-level dominance with a favorable matchup — exactly what you want when targeting strikeout props or building DFS lineups around aces.
30+
Elite CSW
(Strong K upside)
27–30
Above Average
(Solid matchup dependent)
<27
Below Average
(Fade for K props)
Data Source & Methodology
Pitcher CSW data is sourced from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant, updated daily throughout the 2026 MLB season. CSW Projections are calculated using each pitcher's historical CSW rate adjusted by the opposing team's discipline metrics. Only today's confirmed and projected starting pitchers are shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does CSW mean in baseball?
- CSW stands for Called Strike plus Whiff rate. It is a baseball pitching stat that measures the percentage of a pitcher's total pitches that result in either a called strike or a swinging strike (whiff). CSW was created by Pitcher List in 2018 and is widely considered one of the best single-number predictors of MLB strikeout ability. League-average CSW is approximately 27-28%.
- What is a good CSW rate for a pitcher?
- A CSW rate above 30% is considered elite and indicates a pitcher who misses bats and commands the strike zone at a high level. Between 28-30% is above average, 26-28% is around league average, and below 26% suggests a pitcher who relies more on contact management than pure stuff. Elite closers often post CSW rates above 33%.
- What is the difference between CSW and whiff rate?
- Whiff rate (also called swinging strike rate or SwStr%) only counts pitches where the batter swings and misses, while CSW includes both whiffs and called strikes. CSW is considered more predictive of future strikeouts because it rewards pitchers for both swing-and-miss stuff and precise command. A pitcher with elite command may have a modest whiff rate but a high CSW.
- How is CSW calculated?
- The CSW formula is: CSW% = (Called Strikes + Whiffs) ÷ Total Pitches. Called strikes are pitches in the strike zone that the batter does not swing at. Whiffs are pitches the batter swings at and misses. Divide the sum of both by total pitches thrown to get the CSW percentage.
- How is CSW used in DFS and props?
- In MLB DFS, CSW helps identify pitchers most likely to rack up strikeouts — the highest-value stat for DFS pitchers on DraftKings (2 pts each) and FanDuel (3 pts each). For strikeout props, pairing a high-CSW pitcher with an opponent that has a high team strikeout rate is a core strategy. Pitchers with 30%+ CSW facing free-swinging lineups are strong over candidates on K props.
Disclaimer
All projections on this page are generated algorithmically based on statistical models, season averages, and projected playing time. These projections are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
The algorithm may not reflect recent injuries, lineup changes, rest days, or other factors that affect outcomes. Lines and odds change frequently — always confirm current numbers with your sportsbook before placing any wagers.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. You assume all risk associated with any wagers you place. Only bet with money you can afford to lose.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org