Let’s talk about the SP Roundup for a moment.
Many of you are familiar with my article series and its daily cadence, but not all of you may know its history. It was called SP In Review for a few months in 2014 before Pitcher GIFs shut down, and once I returned as Pitcher List in 2015, I renamed it the SP Roundup and have written nearly 2,000 editions, covering every single start from every regular season game (Alright, save for one – it was my sister’s wedding).
The SP Roundup is my lifeblood. Everything else I do – The List, SP Streamers, podcasts, etc. – is only possible because I have written this article incessantly, even if I’ve had to get it out closer to the evening than the morning on some days. I am so fortunate to have such a place in my life. A regular canvas for me to freely talk through my thought process, challenge myself creatively, force readers to roll their eyes, and document my rationale throughout a full year. It also became apparent that I couldn’t do what I do without it. I skip practice one day, I can tell. I skip two days, my wife can tell. I skip three days, the world can tell.
It was only possible because of all of you. I am humbled by the number of people who have read my work and referenced some of its terms, from Toby to Still ILL and even Pablo López asking me what he needed to do to earn a Gallows Pole. Your comments over the years kept the midnight oil burning. There have been far too many nights when I initially lacked the necessary resolve until I told myself Tonight is not the night the tradition ends. You made the tradition matter.
The SP Roundup tradition is not ending. Far from it! Tomorrow will mark the start of a different tradition: I will not be the person writing the SP Roundup. Someone else will craft the roundup on Saturdays for now (Friday’s games), then Saturday and Sunday indefinitely starting sometime over the summer plus the rare occasions where I have to travel or an emergency calls. I’ll still be doing everything else, including Monday-Friday roundups.
I did not make this decision lightly, and this post is a clear expression of my respect and appreciation for all of you who take the time to read my silly words. I’ve considered a transition like this for years and waited until I found the right person. Someone who is funnier than me, brilliant, and who I could trust would carry the torch of the Roundup, from speaking its pitch-arsenal focused language to light-hearted flow and similar analysis. Someone who is simply awesome.
I am so very thrilled to tell you that Jake Crumpler is that person.
You already know him from his regular First Pitch Podcast and In The Pen shows + countless articles on the site and his work with BaseballHQ. What you may not know is his incredible work ethic. I’ve seen him invest so many hours with me over the last two years: questioning beliefs, learning pitching mechanics, and dissecting theories. I’m a believer of the Picasso method – paint like contemporaries first, then paint however you want – and I wish you all could have seen the smile on my face when I’ve read his 2026 practice roundups. I could have published them under my own name and you wouldn’t have known the difference. I don’t believe there was a single take or element missing from his blurbs that I felt the need to correct in the recent weeks, and, of course, he challenged me on a few arms in the very best way. You’re going to love his articles. I already do.
I hope you join me in welcoming Jake to his new role and help me usher in a new chapter here at Pitcher List. Thank you all so much for what you have given to this place, and I can’t wait for Jake to become your new favorite analyst.
Aces gonna ace,
-Nick
