Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Friday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) vs TEX (W) – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 102 pitches.
It’s been a long while since I could truly endorse our Pasta Pirate, but here we are, six games into his season and Spencer Arrighetti has allowed 2 ER just once, including Friday’s 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 102 pitches (W) against the Rangers. He seems like an obvious aadd with a 1.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 5-1 record through those six performances, and yet, there is an issue: He’s fanned just 14 and walked 12 in his last three starts.
Arrighetti has been labeled as a Cherry Bomb in the past and there are reasons to upgrade his label this year. He’s increased his fastball extension and lowered his arm angle to create a fantastic 1.8 HAVAA that makes the 14″ of vert surprising enough to make elevation return whiffs. His curveball was a weapon against both LHB and RHB, and worked in concert with the sweeper to return a fair number of whiffs. These are lovely things.
But he’s inconsistent. He throws cross-body at a low angle and does not get the four-seamer high enough, while the curveball swings too far east or west, creating a triangular plinko chart of curveball locations on his strikezone plots. It’s really hard for me to heavily endorse these pitchers who I don’t trust to execute their gameplan pitch-to-pitch, batter-to-batter (Sidenote: I noticed that Arrighetti stops looking at the glove during his delivery, then returns moments before landing his foot, and I can’t help but wonder “Doesn’t that make it harder to locate?” I was curious what y’all thought, too). He has the stuff at 7.4 feet of extension and 93 mph to obliterate, but those walks are there for a reason and I can’t decide if Arrighetti is on the verge of a huge breakout or is walking a precarious tightrope. Why not both? Ah yes, like the life of a startup. All we can do is hope. For now, I’d grab for the Cubs and see what happens. His success is less about the offense and more about his own mechanical battles. I be fightin’ meself more than me pennemy. Yes, you are, Pasta Pirate. Yes, you are. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:
Randy Vásquez (SDP) @ SEA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 79 pitches.
That’s our fella. I wish we had more strikeouts n all, and I’m not super convinced that this kind of command will work steadily, but we’ll obviously take it. Now it’s the Dodgers + twice against the Phils, and I’m a little cautious. I don’t see an issue dropping Vásquez in your shallower leagues, and if he’s the worst SP on your squad in a 12-teamer with a legit arm to grab off the wire, yeah, you’re okay making the swap. (View Game Card)
Zack Littell (WSN) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 87 pitches.
This was just his second game of five innings and 2 ER or fewer all season. Oh Baltimore, it’s rough out there. As for Littell, I’d normally say don’t you dare, but it’s the Mets next. And, well, you know. Anything is possible. (View Game Card)
Ty Madden (DET) vs TOR (L) – 0.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 7 pitches.
Madden was struck by a 108 mph comebacker and left the game promptly. Drew Anderson was called upon, tossing 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 46 pitches, and that’s pretty dang commendable. I have to wonder if the Tigers will give him a real chance to be a part of this rotation at some point with a 14% SwStr rate via 95/96 mph heaters (up 1.5 ticks here!), a whiffable split change, and a great 90 mph slider, but we’ll see. His command is still a problem.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ COL (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 100 pitches.
HOT DANG, look at you! Kelly took a major step forward last start and I imagined you could wait after this Coors start to aggressively add him. NOPE. That’s a Gold Star, of course, where Kelly allowed a solo shot in the first and shut em out for the rest of the game. The changeup and slider feel were stellar, and he maneuvered around the edges of the zone with cutters, four-seamers, curves, and sinkers on top. It’s time. As if you needed more convincing, he’ll get the Giants twice + @TEA after. (View Game Card)
Jack Leiter (TEX) @ HOU (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches.
This was better-than-average slider and fastball command, but still not that great as the trio combined for 3/61 whiffs between them. Yikes. I’m thrilled he worked out for all of y’all who rolled with it, but I cannot emphasize enough that you shouldn’t start him in Coors, which makes him not a guy you need to hold for ten days. (View Game Card)
Cam Schlittler (NYY) @ NYM (W) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 106 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a Golden Goal. That’s my SP #2. We even saw a few curveballs thrown in, two called strikes, two whiffs, and two very easy takes. And one smoked slider down the pipe for a fortunate out. When it’s good, it’s good. Gotta love it. (View Game Card)
Emerson Hancock (SEA) vs SDP (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.
We’re still under 10″ of vert on his four-seamer, but that clearly doesn’t matter…? I absolutely loved watching Emerson nail his sinker inside to RHB while backdooring his cutter with his fastballs to LHB and making them all confused. We saw some improved sweepers to RHB as well, even if he’s still a bit erratic with its feel (and lift). I’m a little worried about the full-season outlook with this worse four-seamer shape, but he’s still spotting it well, leading to a great 18% SwStr rate and a 74% strike rate. We ride. (View Game Card)
Joe Ryan (MIN) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Injury scare gone, 93/94 mph velocity, don’t expect anything different. (View Game Card)
Spencer Strider (ATL) vs BOS (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 84 pitches.
Three starts in, and what does Strider look like? Pretty much the same, with one more inch of vert on the four-seamer. Seriously, same velocity as 2025 in this one, less drop on the slider, and roughly the same changeup and curveball usage. That said, his command was pretty great despite the three walks and low 54% strike rate on the heater. Why? Because he had is former pitch separation that we didn’t see a ton last year – BSB of heaters up, slow down. It aided those whiffs against a poor Sawx lineup and you should feel great starting him against the Marlins next. Yes, I’m going to continue to heavily scrutinize Strider given the massive spectrum of his perceived value, and right now, I see a low-end Holly type. There’s no way he holds a 31% strikeout rate and 4.9 hit/9, y’all. (View Game Card)
Jesse Scholtens (TB) vs MIA (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 68 pitches.
Seymour opened for a pair of innings (wait, they’re letting him start again?! Just kidding. BUT SERIOUSLY, WHY NOT?!) and Scholtens had a field day against the Marlins. His four-seamer was precise upstairs and his slider + sinker worked just fine, making him awfully cromulent for a streaming dub against the Orioles on Wednesday. Not my jam, but I get it. (View Game Card)
Coleman Crow (MIL) @ MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 68 pitches.
Nevermore, said the Brewers, who optioned Crow back to Triple-A after this one. How could they? That’s two solid starts for the kid! I mean, it’s seven strikeouts in roughly ten innings of work with a terrible set of 92 mph fastballs. Sure, the 74 mph curveball and 79 mph sweeper look cool, but that’s because we’re not used to these slower breakers and the mega spin guys these days. Slower = more time for gravity = more movement = HOT DANG LOOK AT THAT PITCH MOVE. Coleman was smart to go use his 87/88 mph cutter 41% of the time as his foundational offering over the heaters and, sure, there’s a Toby in here. But why go for that? (View Game Card)
Andrew Abbott (CIN) @ CLE (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
That’s four games of 3 ER for Abbott now. It’s not the prettiest – 1.40 WHIP and two strikeouts with three whiffs is forcing eye rolls from all the parents at the rec center – and his changeup is still very much missing with a horrible 36% strike rate on the night. I’m continuing to preach caution until the offering returns, but then again, isn’t Abbott famous for success when it doesn’t make sense? Not like this with a 15% strikeout rate and 10% walk rate. Yeah, you’re right. I think. (View Game Card)
Trey Yesavage (TOR) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
That’s gorgeous, I appreciate you, Trey. A Gallows Pole is a beautiful sight for a pitcher who has wrestled with the feel for his splitter and slider, even if I’m a bit shocked the Tigers went chasing on so many splitters in the dirt. At least he got them down there to chase. He got away with a fair number of fastballs over the plate in the process, sure, but this was more like the Yesavage we saw in the fall. Now for the real test: Do you start him against the Yankees? Your call entirely. (View Game Card)
Connelly Early (BOS) @ ATL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.
It was a tough call to sit or start Connelly, and ye faithful were rewarded. Not his best performance at all, either, and now exhale, excited for a start against the Royals up next. But then Hotlanta in Fenway. Yeaaaah. Not cool. (View Game Card)
Aaron Civale (ATH) vs SFG (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 76 pitches.
Ehhhh? Civale is finding a way to keep his WHIP high while maintaining a low ERA, and he now holds a 5-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Bonkers, isn’t it? So you’re saying he could have a lower WHIP. Uhhh, you’re like a “rebel” teen in a mall running on the escalator. Wrong way, bucko. (View Game Card)
Shane Baz (BAL) @ WSN (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 108 pitches.
A VPQS with a little extra sympathy and nothing else ain’t good enough, Baz. I’ve yet to see anything to pull me back in, even if his LHB approach was solid. He’s not going to get me interested with six whiffs, you know. (View Game Card)
Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs CIN (L) – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.
Like Baz, it’s a slightly better VPQS with just two strikeouts and a Loss. In other words, for non-QS leagues, it’s a Wonka. YOU GET NOTHING. I can’t help but wonder if the days of the Reds Carpet are behind us. Maybe it means celebritty culture is dying down…? Hahahahaha, oh how I wish. (View Game Card)
Dustin May (STL) vs KCR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 91 pitches.
A PQS is a lovely thing from May. The lack of whiffs are frustrating (only his eight curveballs returned a double-digit SwStr rate), but he spotted that cutter inside the LHB with high four-seamers incredibly well. The last piece is the RHB approach, oddly enough. He’s leaving his sinker far too much over the plate and not giving himself an opportunity to split the zone and go away with secondaries and inside with heaters. (View Game Card)
Michael Wacha (KCR) @ STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 87 pitches.
That’s a solid PQS as the WHIP sticks right below 1.00. The Red Sox are next and we’re keeping on, keepin’ on. (View Game Card)
Edward Cabrera (CHC) @ CHW (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 88 pitches.
He really couldn’t finish batters and eneded with a ghastly 7% per-pitch putaway rate, which was his biggest issue. All baserunners reached on a two-strike count, save for the Romo RBI double on a horrible 2-1 changeup over the middle of the plate. This is a common issue for changeup-first RHB (traditionally without a legit breaker and hittable fastballs), and it explains the high pitch count without finishing five. That said, if he simply didn’t go 2-to-1 four-seamers over sinkers, maybe he wouldn’t have such long at-bats (45% strikes vs. 75% strikes. WHAT IS THIS). Or maybe, just a thought, don’t throw 14 curveballs for just three strikes. Sigh. He’s a HIPSTER who could settle in during the season, but who knows. Yes, you can chase other arms. (View Game Card)
Braxton Ashcraft (PIT) vs PHI (ND) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 100 pitches.
We had a Careful, Icarus with Ashcraft earning a PQS, then returning for the seventh, gets two outs and the hook in order to avoid tossing a second HR to Schwarber. So, of course, Schwarber hits a HR off the reliever instead. Six of his seven hits came off fastballs, zero off the elite slider and curve, and I wouldn’t worry for a moment. His command is far better than what it was last year. (View Game Card)
Clay Holmes (NYM) vs NYY (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.
As if the Mets needed more things to go wrong, their 2.39 ERA pitcher took a liner in the fourth inning, finished the frame and even came out for the fifth, before a natural hook at 95 pitches, only for us to find out The Adobe needs some repair – said liner broke his fibula. Yup. (View Game Card)
Sean Burke (CHW) vs CHC (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.
Womp womp. He threw a lot of slider strikes for 48% CSW with a fearless courage that he thought he could replicate with his curve and fastballs. Nope. Just 1/61 whiffs among those as the fella was Singled Out against the Cubs. It really was a better slider, with extra movement and two ticks of added velocity, but no whiffs, no GIFs, am I right? (View Game Card)
Tyler Mahle (SFG) @ ATH (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.
Children will be heading to summer camp in a month, where they will share stories around the campfire. And after he gave them a touch of hope, he was forced to pitch in…Sacré Verde. GASP. There’s a chance he’s better against the Sneks in his next two outings, though the fastball was down to 91 mph here. He was also Singled Out and only had one run on the books through until, once again, a terrible fifth frame, where he was as low as 89.7 mph. I’d hold off. (View Game Card)
Jack Kochanowicz (LAA) vs LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
This had no right to be good and Jackie K. looked in the mirror, nodding his head. No right to be good. Good soldiers follow orders. It’s fun to se his changeup return 5/25 whiffs, though its still floating a fiar amount and he’s not dotting like he needs to. No thanks. (View Game Card)
Aaron Nola (PHI) @ PIT (ND) – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
Here’s one for you. Nola has returned just two starts under 3 ER this season. Only three above five strikeouts. And four days ahead of grieving, where some will inevitably ride him out there against the Reds Carpet. Sure, it could work, but you gotta stop and realize there are smarter plays to make. (View Game Card)
Janson Junk (MIA) @ TBR (L) – 5.2 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 100 pitches.
Junk has had eight starts since his intriguing first start that made us aware of his new stuff. He’s oscillated since, and after coming off three great outings that included the Dodgers and Phillies, he’s now disappointed against the Nats and Rays. Sigh. The funny part? He actually elevated the four-seamer again. It should have done well, but four hits were allowed off the pitch with just 3/38 whiffs, while his slider and sweeper were left over the plate too often, each returning a HR on a meatball down the pipe. Consider him a 15-team HIPSTER at this point who is a clear DNS against Hotlanta. (View Game Card)
Kyle Freeland (COL) vs ARI (L) – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.
You know the drill. Or the lack of one. Do you need a drill? I’m a dentist, so yes, all the time. How did we get here. (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Logan Henderson vs. Connor Prielipp – How must I choose between my children?
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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