The kick change, a modified changeup, has taken Major League Baseball by storm. It's a hybrid of a changeup and a splitter, featuring unique grip and movement. Mets pitchers Clay Holmes, Tylor Megill, and Griffin Canning have adopted it, achieving great success. This pitch has spread rapidly, with players like Davis Martin and others joining the trend. Its popularity showcases the sport's technological advancements and players' eagerness to experiment for an edge.

The pitch was identified and named by Leif Strom of Tread Athletics. Hayden Birdsong was the first major leaguer to throw it in a game, and others like Jack Leiter and Pablo Lopez have followed suit. Different pitchers have adapted it in their own ways, and for some, like Holmes, it's been crucial to their rotation success.

For Megill, it became a valuable weapon, while Canning's relationship with it is more flexible. The kick change is transforming the game and confusing opposing hitters across the league.