are taught from the very beginning to get ahead in the count, throwing first-pitch strikes as often as possible. In training camp, pitchers who collect the most first-pitch strikes are given free dinner or other rewards. The scouts and coaches throughout the organization are trained to look for pitchers with consistent arm slots and deliveries, allowing them to spot young players who will harness the command that the franchise looks for. As a team, the Twins haven’t ranked outside the top five in fewest walks allowed since 1996, and they’ve been first or second in that category in nine of the past 13 seasons. Former Minnesota pitcher Brad Radke became the poster boy for first-pitch strikes, and his rate of 1.63 walks per nine innings ranks 32nd in baseball history. Minnesota has become of the most successful small-market teams in the game, and as the Twins opened their new stadium, Target Field, for the 2010 season, their payroll ($97.5 million) ranked 11th among 30 big league clubs, a sign of how far the franchise has come and a testament to the importance of throwing first-pitch strikes. "It stems from a manifesto we put together way back in the day: As a small-market club, how are you going to get an edge? We believe that command and control and makeup are true separators in the pitching category."—Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick in May, 2010. Despite this lip service, however, the Twins have been below-average in the frequency with which they throw first-pitch strikes over the last three seasons. First-pitch strikes vs. ERA Following the 2009 season, a contributor to FederalBaseball.com (an unofficial Washington Nationals blog) collected data to compare first-pitch strike percentages to earned run averages. The results indicated that there was a correlation between the two statistics, and pitchers who harnessed a higher first-pitch strike percentage often carried a lower ERA. Of the starting pitchers with the 20 lowest ERAs in 2009, 16 of them had above-average first-pitch strike percentages. The contributor created a graph to plot the results. To view the graph, click here. When viewing the graph, keep in mind: The 20 lowest ERAs by MLB starters in 2009 are plotted in black The top five relievers are in green Pitchers who were on the Nationals’ roster at the time of the article's creation are in red (minimum 15 innings pitched in 2009) Former