NEW YORK — Flamethrowers ruled the mound in the major leagues this year, with the average four-seam fastball among right-handed pitchers reaching 95 mph for the first time. Average velocity has increased for seven straight seasons, ticking up 0.3 mph this year for right-handers, according to MLB Statcast. Among right-handed relievers, the average four-seamer was 95.6 mph. For all pitchers, four-seamers averaged 94.5 mph, an increase of 0.2 mph in 2024 and up from 91.9 mph when tracking started in 2008. Baseball’s batting average was .245, up from .243 last year but remaining close to the low of .237 in 1968.