This pitch, with a pronounced drop and a speed comparable to a fastball, is difficult to hit. The lack of lateral movement, combined with the drop, makes it a devastating pitch, especially against hitters. Few pitchers average less than 2 inches of IVB on their sinkers, making Doval's sinker even more impressive.
Consistency in this pitch is vital; if not executed correctly, the drop is less and the pitch becomes more vulnerable. If Doval manages to maintain that IVB shape, the lack of lateral movement could make it an effective pitch against any batter, generating many missed swings.