Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 4/20: The Hendersons Will All Be There

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.

Logan Henderson (MIL) vs ATH (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches.

We have a new call-up on our hands and his family came to the park to cheer him on, but should we join the Hendersons? According to the final line of 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches (W), yes, you should jump on the Logan Henderson bandwagon. There are reasons this could go poorly in the future, though.

Henderson is a four-seamer/changeup arm at his core and generally, that’s a red flag as a RHP. These types typically rely on command over stuff, and without a de facto breaking ball, we’ve seen the likes of Paddack, Mize, Stone, and countless others fail to return value (sidenote: Paddack was legit in his rookie year at least!). Henderson does have a different quality that the others lacked – a flat attack angle heater. He doesn’t boast elite velocity nor extension, but its 1.7 HAVAA at 92.5 mph and 16-17″ of vert make the heater look like a laser to the glove (thanks Milwaukee camera angle!) and work well upstairs. The changeup is far from lackluster as well, with a ton of confident slowballs debilitating batters, even after the rare spike into the dirt.

I wish he had something else in the arsenal to have his back. The slider and cutter we saw were awfully mediocre and I’d imagine two-pitch is what we’re getting. The velocity could come down when the adrenaline wears off as well, and if there’s any teetering with these pitches, he doesn’t have much to turn to. I’d imagine the Brewers will keep Henderson in the rotation moving forward, even if Tobias Myers returns soon, which would land Henderson a start in St. Louis over the weekend. You can absolutely go for it, but we may get a taste of the Shag Rug sooner than you’d like. Henderson can be helpful, but he isn’t set up to be the next big star with this two-pitch mix.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Max Fried (NYY) @ TBR (W) – 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 102 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. But two strikeouts! I don’t care, that’s a glorious set of ratios for a Win. Just one out away from a Minimalist Score of seven, too. Funny to see that one day after Severino’s Six. By the way, the day Fried starts getting a great CSW on his changeup to RHB is the day he truly ascends. It went 1/15 here (7%) but earned many outs, so it is acceptable, just not that Fried yet.

Tyler Mahle (TEX) vs LAD (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.

Wow, you really did it again, huh? 92 mph heaters for 31% CSW and 3/35 splitter whiffs, but plenty of weak contact as you stayed far away from the middle of the plate. This has Vargas Rule written all over it – we hold on until the command disappears. Shouldn’t be too long, sadly.

Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) vs SFG (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 102 pitches.

You see all the same things I see. Kikuchi threw all kinds of strikes and despite a 19% CSW four-seamer, 24% CSW changeup, hittable sliders, and a 1.69 WHIP, he went 5.1 IP shutout frames. Sure, it was the Giants and now he gets the Twins and Tigers, but he can’t keep getting away with it.

Tyler Glasnow (LAD) @ TEX (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 52 pitches.

Aces gonna leave the game early with…a leg cramp. DON’T SCARE ME LIKE THAT. The dude was absurd before that, even with the slider feel being super off. I’m sure he makes the next start in full.

Brent Suter (CIN) @ BAL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 63 pitches.

This was a bullpen game after Spiers pitched yesterday and hit the IL. I thought Brent would go longer. Come on, you knew he would be pulled Suter or later once he hit 50 pitches.

Jesús Luzardo (PHI) vs MIA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 88 pitches.

The dude is on a heater and let’s celebrate it. I love seeing sinker/sweeper to LHB, though I won’t spread the glaze for his RHB approach that came with super hittable fastballs and inconsistent sliders + changeups. But the Marlins exist and we have a Gallows Pole with a cushy ERA at the end of the day. Suitman whispers into my ear Oh! 97.2 mph velocity! That’s cool too.

Clay Holmes (NYM) vs STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.

Well look at that! A start where both the sinker and slider returned a ton of strikes and BLAMO! There’s easy production. But the kick-change was 50% strikes. Sure, gotta work on that, but we just need the sinker and one secondary to be the leaders. Let’s hope this sticks…even if the sinker is down to 93 mph. If it means he’s throwing 68% strikes, I’m cool with it.

Justin Verlander (SFG) @ LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.

That’s a whole lot better, thanks Verlander. The four-seamer was atrocious last time out and great this time out, while the slider was kinda terrible. 6% CSW across 16 thrown and poor command, though the curve and sweeper were effective and picked up the slack. Can I please get a dominant fastball/slider game without poor luck for once? JUST ONCE. He’ll get Texas + Rockie Road next and I’m absolutely holding.

Antonio Senzatela (COL) vs WSN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.

Senz-A with the Gold Star against the Nats in Coors. You’ll never cease to amaze, will you?

Grant Holmes (ATL) vs MIN (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 105 pitches.

You know, The Real Estate Broker could have been so much better if he didn’t return a 38% strike rate on his curve, 53% on his slider, and 59% on his fastball. So nothing was over 60%? Nope. And he still made it work. Incredible. Seriously, expect better in the future and you should be thrilled he’s over 100 pitches.

Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ CHC (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 81 pitches.

It’s a Philly that should have been more if not for a leg cramp that caused him to exit in the sixth. So close. He’s the Toby you want him to be, y’all, and while you’re twiddling your thumbs waiting for his next start, I’ll go and figure out why so many got leg cramps yesterday. Just join /r/hydrohommies y’all, it’s that easy.

Logan Allen (CLE) @ PIT (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.

Allen is surviving and I’ll give him props for that. It was the Pirates, though, and you’re going to have a lot of traffic on your roster with a whole lotta yelling if you’re riding with L.A.

Jameson Taillon (CHC) vs ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 87 pitches.

We’ll so take this. Another tough matchup and a productive outing from Taillon is pretty dang special, with the sweeper once again getting heavy usage against RHB. Are we going to triple-dip with the Phillies up next? I guess so given the Brewers, Mets, and Marlins that follow.

Sean Burke (CHW) @ BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.

He’s still at 94 mph, but at least the 18-19″ of vert is back and he’s throwing strikes with the slider and curve. And the four-seamer, right? Uhhhh. Right?! 39% strikes. OH COME ON. Give this more time.

Kyle Freeland (COL) vs WSN (L) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 36 pitches.

Freeland left this one early with leg cramps a blister and you could hear the groans across the mountains. Welp, THERE goes our season. You were right there, Colorado. Such terrible fortune. Seriously though, I hate blisters with a passion. Of all the things that go wrong, the small, tiny spot where contact is made on your fingers prevents you from going out there.

Jake Irvin (WSN) @ COL (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 83 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! I added Irvin for the Pirates start and dropped him for this one only TO FEEL LIKE A DUNCE. The man is cruising, jump on this Vargas Rule while you still can, I don’t care if it’s the Mets next. The curve is legit, just like in last season.

Tanner Houck (BOS) vs CHW (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 89 pitches.

The splitter was effective, but it wasn’t dotting the outside edge as we saw last year, while the sweeper is still down four inches of lateral movement from last season. Blame it on the White Sox and don’t consider this the start of a comeback.

Framber Valdez (HOU) vs SDP (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.

That’s one Dusty Donut I’ll think about for days. Are we getting to the point of the year where people start to heavily question why they drafted Framber? It’s supposed to get alleviated some time in July, and I sure hope it does. I know how annoying this can be.

Michael Wacha (KCR) @ DET (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.

Y’all don’t appreciate Wacha enough. He’s the most consistent Toby around. But I thought Fedde was set on being Spider-Man? Just cause he wants it doesn’t mean he’s gonna get it…wait, Wacha, why are you holding up your fists? I CAN TAKE HIM.

Tarik Skubal (DET) vs KCR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 91 pitches.

Aces gonna ace for the King Cole. He pretty much did his thing and it didn’t break quite the same way per usual. The slider needs to improve a bit, too. But whatever, he’s dope.

Mitch Keller (PIT) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 101 pitches.

Another day, another outing from Keller that has me lifting my shoulders like I’m trying to fit in an elevator during rush hour. I’M SORRY I HAVE LONG APPENDAGES.

Dylan Cease (SDP) @ HOU (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.

Cease faced a RHB-heavy lineup and did his normal routine with sliders + four-seamers upstairs. Pretty dang normal across the board here, truly. Uhhhh, he’s still throwing that harder slider with less break, though. Yeah, sure. 10/47 whiffs with a 38% CSW = it doesn’t matter. Okay, okay.

Brad Lord (WSN) @ COL (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 65 pitches.

Whatever you do, don’t add Brad. I already did. Oh no don’t say it—I made added him, m’Lord. NOOOOOOO.

Sonny Gray (STL) @ NYM (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 102 pitches.

Gray whipped out the curve, and it did a number on the Mets to catalyze a Gallows Pole with a PQS. We’ll take it on a day when he couldn’t spot his fastballs or cutter.

Ryan Pepiot (TBR) vs NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.

You know, a PQS that looks like a Bailey Special against the Yankees is a deal I’m willing to make. The slider and changeup were elevated over the plate far too much, though, and his four-seamer wasn’t able to cook upstairs as it usually does. It really speaks to Pepiot being a Cherry Bomb that we just deal with, even though he flirts more with being a HIPSTER than an ace. Please get locked in, Pepiot. I know it’s in there.

Luis Castillo (SEA) @ TOR (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 102 pitches.

Mmmmm, it’s not great pitching out of @TEA and that four-seamer is still having a whole lot of trouble. Good to see the changeup and slider earn strikes to try and help, but ultimately, Castillo’s heaters just aren’t what they used to be. It may be time. I sure hope not.

Connor Gillispie (MIA) @ PHI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.

And here I thought for a moment Gillispie was the reason Luzardo didn’t get a Win. How could I have ever been so foolish? Stupid Phillies bullpen.

Jeffrey Springs (ATH) @ MIL (L) – 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 68 pitches.

Oh my. It sure wasn’t sunshine and rainbows in this one. They played in a dome. You sure it wasn’t open today? ANYWAY, the change was featured 29% of the time to RHB and did its thing, but his command to LHB with four-seamers, sliders, and sweepers was standard Springs affair – unbecoming. Sub 60% strike rates on all pitches (outside of 5/7 on the sweeper). He’s better than that.

Joe Ryan (MIN) @ ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.

Bleggggh. The lack of quality secondaries caught up to him. That’s all there is to this one, so keep starting him against the Angels up next. Obviously.

Easton Lucas (TOR) vs SEA (L) – 1.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 55 pitches.

I’m not saying that Lucas doesn’t have a cool fastball that can work. I’m just saying that the start against the Red Sox was clearly at his peak command, and he really has nothing else to support it. There’s a reason his name is Easton and not A2000. Hey A2000, can you pass the ketchup? RIGHT. AWAY. HUMAN. Ayyyy, 2000 thanks! HA. HA. HA.

Charlie Morton (BAL) vs CIN (L) – 2.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 68 pitches.

Hey sorry y’all, I can’t finish this one. I got a phone call and am on the next flight out to Baltimore. But I don’t know whether I should keep rostering Morton! You can’t be serious.

 

Game of the Day

 

Nick Lodolo vs. Max Meyer – I’ve been rostering both and want this party to keep going.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)