To get a better feel for what pitchers are trying to do with the ball, it helps to get a look at how they grip each pitch. During our morning workout, all eight pitchers on the American staff gave us a preview of their stuff.
Mike Nikorak
![4-seam FB held slightly angled across horseshoe](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Nikorak-FB4-300x168.jpg)
4-seam FB held slightly angled across horseshoe
![2-seam FB held in a unique way, more like a breaking ball grip](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Nikorak-FB2-300x168.jpg)
2-seam FB held more like a breaking ball
![CH back in palm](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Nikorak-CH-300x168.jpg)
CH back in palm, thumb underneath
![CB with spiked knuckle to help get overspin](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Nikorak-CB-300x168.jpg)
CB with spiked knuckle to help get overspin
Ashe Russell
![Pretty standard 4-seam FB grip](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Russell-FB4-300x168.jpg)
Pretty standard 4-seam FB grip
![2-seam FB with no seam contact](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Russell-FB2-300x168.jpg)
2-seam FB with no seam contact
![Sort of a circle CH type look](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Russell-CH-300x168.jpg)
Sort of a circle CH type look, down the tracks
![In position to drive the horseshoe over with CB](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Russell-CB2-300x168.jpg)
Into the corner of the horseshoe with CB
Luken Baker
![4-seam FB, large hands make the ball look small](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Baker-FB4-300x168.jpg)
4-seam FB, large hands make the ball look small
![All the way past the tracks with the 2-seamer](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Baker-FB2-300x168.jpg)
Rides the tracks to the end with the 2-seamer
![CH](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Baker-CH-300x168.jpg)
CH sits well back in his hand
![SL](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Baker-SL-300x168.jpg)
SL grip similar to 2-seamer, just more off-center
![Can easily get his fingers on the front of the ball for CB overspin](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Baker-CB-300x168.jpg)
Can easily get his fingers on the front of the ball for CB overspin
Hunter Bowling
![4- seam FB right across the horseshoe](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Bowling-FB4-300x168.jpg)
4- seam FB right across the horseshoe
![CH](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Bowling-CH-300x168.jpg)
CH comes off first two fingers of pitching hand
![CB](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Bowling-CB-300x168.jpg)
Spikes CB to help generate overspin
Juan Hillman
![4-seam FB](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hillman-FB4-300x168.jpg)
4-seam FB
![2-seamer right across the tracks](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hillman-FB2-300x168.jpg)
2-seamer right down the tracks
![CH](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hillman-CH-300x168.jpg)
Classic circle, or “OK”, change grip – note the 2-seam look
![CB vs. LHH has break down and across the zone](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hillman-CB-LH-300x168.jpg)
CB vs. LHH has break down and across the zone
![Fingers get more on the front of the ball to RHH, giving CB more 12-6 action](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hillman-CB-RH-300x168.jpg)
Fingers get more on the front of the ball to RHH, giving CB more 12-6 action
Cole Sands
![4-seamer across horseshoe](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Sands-FB4-300x168.jpg)
4-seamer across horseshoe
![2-seamer](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Sands-FB2-300x168.jpg)
2-seamer right down the tracks
![CH](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Sands-CH-300x168.jpg)
Circle CH grip across the horseshoe
![Breaking ball](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Sands-CB-300x168.jpg)
Breaking ball grip along arm side track
Bryan Hoeing
![4-seamer](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hoeing-FB4-300x168.jpg)
4-seamer
![2-seamer](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hoeing-FB2-300x168.jpg)
2-seamer with some width on top of tracks
![CH](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hoeing-CH-300x168.jpg)
CH set to roll off last two fingers, thumb underneath
![CB](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Hoeing-CB-300x168.jpg)
Fingers along the outside edge of the horseshoe, thumb directly underneath
Gray Fenter
![4-seamer](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Fenter-FB4-300x168.jpg)
4-seamer
![2-seamer, fingers close and on inside edges of tracks](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Fenter-FB2-300x168.jpg)
2-seamer, fingers close and on inside edges of tracks
![CB](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Fenter-CB-300x168.jpg)
Middle finger across edge of horseshoe, ready to generate overspin on CB
![CH](http://blog.baseballfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Fenter-CH-300x168.jpg)
CH set with middle fingers across tracks and thumb on a seam in 2-seam orientation