There were plenty of pitchers I could have led with today, but I'm sure the question on everyone's mind is if they should be picking up Brandon Finnegan or not after going 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. It's a good question and no wrong answer, really. Finnegan was a pitcher we haven't seen yet yesterday in many ways: his Fastball velocity spiked over a tick, he threw more Changeups than Sliders after heavily favoring the breaking ball and barely touching his slow ball in 2016, but most importantly, he tossed his Fastball for a strike at a 67.9% rate. For a guy who held a 4.40 BB/9 last season, that is incredibly good. And there's more about that Fastball - He stopped throwing Sinkers (previously his favorite heater) to nearly exclusive Four-Seamers, which - get this - had a vertical break of 14.90 inches. Essentially, his Four-Seamer stayed five inches higher than the league average lefty Four-Seamer, which is unreal. Like the greatest rising Fastball you've ever heard of. This is a whole lot to take in and I'm not sure how to assess it. It's not like Finnegan went out there, got lucky and somehow landed on his feet to produce a stud outing. But it's also not like the Phillies aren't a terrible offense and he needed 25 pitches to get through the first inning (and then firing six straight perfect innings). Do I believe Finnegan will stay a stud? Not necessarily, but I do believe that he's a different pitcher now that is well worth a flier if he's still out there. I do worry the inconsistent Fastball command will return, but the added velocity + Movement mixed with a heavier reliance on his Changeup does seem like a positive step in the right direction.
Let's see how every other SP did yesterday:
Hey man good article.
Was wondering if I should drop Ervin Santana and pick up either Eduardo Rodriguez or Musgrove for today? Or just stick with Ervin.
I like Santana against the White Sox more than those two today.
In fact, Santana gets the White Sox once again after, so I’d hold until those two games are behind him.
Hey Nick, so nice to have the roundups back. They make my commute bearable. Wondering if you have any thoughts on CC. I know it was only the Rays but I’m hoping there might be a little gas in the tank and he surprises us just like last year. Worth a flier?
I felt so dirty not having one yesterday with the site being down that I kinda cheated to get the site up now (we’re missing many articles) as a stop gap. I just couldn’t go two days without it.
I think there’s something here. Slider looked great and his command as a lefty finesse pitcher was very impressive. We’ve talked in the past about CC’s transition from a power pitcher to finesse has been difficult, but it might be getting easier for him now.
He’ll be on The List around the 80s/90s come Monday.
Haha, no worries we all understand technical difficulties. Just glad to have you back, it’s embarrassing how many times i refreshed pitcherlist yesterday. And thanks for the response, as a Yankee fan I’m hopeful.
Spot start Volquez @Mets on Sunday? Folty is already being spot started unfortunately.
Don’t love that and I’d play it based on your matchup. Not the worst option if chasing a Win.
“Liriano could whip out a great deal of strikeouts with demolishing your rate stats.” Did you mean ‘without’ here? Thanks
Sure did…thanks for catching that!
Nick! Missed you guys yesterday. Was super pumped by Taillon’s performance today. That heater looks mint!
Did you by chance get to catch Archie Bradley’s long relief appearance? Think he threw about 2.5 innings or so, but he looked on point that night. Was wondering what your thoughts were on his appearance, and if he might be able to finally turn the corner on his control problems?
Hey man! Thanks for being patient.
He’s had flashes at times and pitchers often look different out of the pen. I wouldn’t put much stock in it.
Did you get to catch any of WIly Peralta’s start? Although a short outing he looked great, even reaching back and hitting 99 at times. Thoughts on him?
Peralta is always going to hint at being decent at times, but he is in no way someone I can depend on being good consistently enough to stream/roster.
A correction, Matt Moore only had 3 ER, not 6 ER because of a fielding error.
Thanks for the heads up. I was wondering about that.
Doesn’t change much of anything about how I feel about him, though. Not the worst flier but I don’t see him creeping to Top 45/50.
Do you think the switch to a 4-seam for Finnegan aided his control in a major way? More importantly, could this be sustainable?
I’m in a league with odd categories where SPs are heavily favoured so I’ve adopted an SP heavy strategy this year. Considering losing Betances, my only RP, for Finnegan. Going to go back and watch his start and see if he passes the eye test.
I did a lot of research on Finnegan this morning and I think I’d be pursuing Finnegan. Better, more balanced mechanics, extra velocity and movement, using his change over his slider…
Sign me up.
If Snell goes off tonight would you drop any of the following for him in roto league? Lynn, , Bundy, J.Ross Liriano?
If Snell kills it, I’d go for him over Liriano.
Redraft H2H league with K/9 instead of Ks, QS instead of wins, and IP. Who do you like from Pomeranz, Gio, Garrett Richards, Cotton, Finnegan, and Lance Lynn? Thinking of either picking and holding 2, or picking 1 and having a streaming spot.
List would dictate holding Richards and/or Lynn but I’m curious if the different stats (or Finn’s new look) justify a little shake up.