Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday 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.
Slade Cecconi (CLE) @ CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 77 pitches.
The Guardians traded for Slade Cecconi over the winter and while some were excited by the move, I was awfully tepid. However, yesterday’s return to the bigs via a start for the Guardians made us all sit up in our chairs: 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 77 pitches (L). Yes it was the Reds (in Cincy), but this was a solid outing and hey! A Golden Goal.
First, he’s throwing a bit harder at 94 mph. It’s empty for the most part, but that’s cool, especially when he ramped it up to 98 mph for a whiff or two (5/31 whiffs overall). He paired it with a slew of offerings, from 85 mph sliders to 87 mph cutters, changeups, curves, and a few sinkers. I saw a decent set of pitches but nothing that makes me feel like this is the next big thing. The slider’s 41% CSW is great and he spotted it well to RHB, though it’s not Filthy McFilthster and without the tug of an overwhelming four-seamer, I worry that it’ll carry Cecconi constantly.
And that’s the real issue. The heater isn’t going to be a 39% CSW pitch. The secondaries are fine but not blowing us out of the water (can the curve continue to go 8/10 strikes?! And hopefully not allow a HR again), and while he was a bit unfortunate to allow his final two runs, I watched it seeing a guy succeed without nodding my head profusely.
I should have just led with this final point: He gets @DET, LAD, @NYY in his next three starts. Obviously don’t do this. Cool? Cool.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Reese Olson (DET) @ TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 85 pitches.
It’s all coming together as planned. That slider and changeup each went exactly 5/18 whiffs while the sinker and four-seamer returned 9/9 outs on balls in play. If you had an ideal set of metrics for an Olson start, those are the ones we’d request. Please keep it going at 95 mph, k thx.
Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 97 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He didn’t have strong secondaries in this one, but it’s the Pirates and the fastballs were absurd, per usual.
Drew Rasmussen (TBR) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 81 pitches.
FINALLY. Six full frames from Rasmussen against the lowly Marlins and he did so with just 81 pitches to his name. The cutter/sinker was devilish to RHB and the four-seamer excelled upstairs to LHB, and the only annoyance was the lack of breakers. Seeing 0/9 whiffs sweepers + curves tells you there’s another step forward to take and as long as the trio of heaters continue, things are cool. The schedule isn’t tough looking ahead, either.
Landen Roupp (SFG) vs ATH (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
Atta boy Roupp! This wasn’t a game of excellent curves as you’d expect, but rather the sinker doing a ton of work + surprise changeups to LHB (12 thrown!) mixed in between that I hope he continues to feature. Slow and steady, the development is showing. Get pumped for the Nationals next.
Luis Severino (ATH) @ SFG (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 96 pitches.
Phew. We have had a rough time with Sevy as of late and I was thrilled to see sinkers inside and cutters away to RHB + sweepers underneath. That plan can work, now it’s just about polishing up the LHB approach and not looking like a recipient of Homer’s Makeup Shotgun. He’ll have some good matchups ahead you may want to try, though it’s still risky each game.
Pablo López (MIN) @ MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 95 pitches.
The results? Awesome. The pitches? Kinda questionable. The four-seamer ran the show per usual with 82% strikes and just 1/46 hits (incredible), setting up three outs with the sinker inside to RHB effectively. The secondaries? Not so great. The sweeper wasn’t hit hard and held a 70% strike rate, but it wasn’t particularly sharp, and the curve was low to LHB, but went 4/9 strikes. The interesting offering was the changeup, which failed to be the reliable slowball of old at just 44% strikes, but get this – he’s throwing a kick-change. He has the old one mixed with some extreme drop changeups that went 2/5 strikes with a whiff and out and that’s pretty dang cool. I’m super curious how that pans out.
Miles Mikolas (STL) @ KCR (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches.
Well well well, another Gold Star for you as I just can’t believe you’re getting away with this. It’s a bad four-seamer. It’s a decent slider, it’s a whole lot of whatever. But he throws strikes and that’s all you gotta do sometimes in front of a great defense. Sigh. This Vargas Rule won’t survive the Sneks + @BAL, right?
Brent Suter (CIN) vs CLE (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 47 pitches.
This was a bullpen game with Chase Petty failing to appear after expecting him to follow. Not exactly sure why but given his poor start to his career, it doesn’t come as a complete shock. Welp, see ya later.
Noah Cameron (KCR) vs STL (L) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 81 pitches.
With Ragans and Lugo both on the IL, Cameron is comfortably in the rotation for at least a handful of starts and this is a wonderful way to kick off the stretch. That said, I’m sad to report he returned 90.5 mph velocity across the outing (81 pitches isn’t even “pushed”) and the changeup that is critical to long-term success went just 1/15 whiffs with a low strike rate. The slider and curve were the winners here with cutters as the audience’s favorite sidekick, but with the questionable heater and a bit of struggle with the changeup, I’m not as excited as I was in the spring when he was 94+ mph. THAT SAID, he gets the Reds in Kansas City next time out. There’s a good stream, y’all.
Nick Pivetta (SDP) vs SEA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
Atta boy Pivetta. I was a little worried given the weather heating up in San Diego + the Mariners being stronger than expected this year, but you came through. Love seeing a bit more than just four-seamer/sweeper to RHB, too. Now you’re blessed with a trio of luscious matchups – MIA, @SFG, @MIL – and I want y’all to sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Tyler Mahle (TEX) vs HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.
This guy just keeps rolling. Despite not a single splitter getting a chase out of the zone, its 62% zone rate led the way without allowing a hit, aiding the cutter, slider, and four-seamer tremendously. I’ll continue to express a bit of skepticism (sup, Koufax), but that schedule is glorious up ahead: @CHW, TOR, @TBR, @MIN. Fire up that Vargas Rule.
Emerson Hancock (SEA) @ SDP (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.
Hey, that’s nearly a Gold Star performance save for one out. He had a good plan of low changeups to LHB, but they aren’t quite there while the four-seamer and sinker are hanging out inside the zone to both LHB and RHB far too much for my liking. Let’s not do this.
Eric Lauer (TOR) vs DET (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 45% CSW, 40 pitches.
This was a bullpen game and props to Lauer for five strikeouts in three with a tough lineup in front of him. Four punchouts on the four-seamer upstairs is like the good ole days and it still doesn’t make sense given it 92 mph velocity with low extension vert, and steep attack angle. That’s baseball, Suzyn.
Jake Irvin (WSN) @ BAL (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 98 pitches.
This feels like a TV broadcast. Annnnnd we’re back with more Irvin fantasy baseball relevancy. The curve was a strike machine, the four-seamer was placed well, and the sinker did enough against RHB. He’ll get the Giants and @TEA next, feels like that should work, doesn’t it.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) vs NYM (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.
Once again, I’m not too enthused by Schmidt. Watching him pitch feels like a parent watching their 8-year-old play soccer. You know what they are trying to do and how they should be doing it, but they constantly come up short. KICK IT! KICK IT! Schmidt spins cutters over the plate without the delicate nature of an artist and you’re happy you can stop peeking at the screen through the slits of your fingers. Meanwhile, you’re then transported to his household, sitting at the table in discomfort hearing Schmidt argue with his sweeper and curve, hoping you find a moment to head to the bathroom. Why don’t you locate us better, don’t you love us? IF YOU DIDN’T MOVE SO MUCH, MAYBE I WILL! And yet, returning to the table you see a 3.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with five strikeouts sitting next to an array of beautiful deserts. Yes, you’d love to come back for dinner another night, that cheesecake was immaculate.
Grant Holmes (ATL) @ BOS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 99 pitches.
Four walks are no fun and Atlanta’s pen ruined his Win, but we’ll take this all day in Fenway. The curve is sadly not there yet, but REB went the other way. Instead of combining the slider with a curve under it, he leaned into his cutter over it for 20% usage and it worked wonders. Tons of strikes with just one hit and it allowed the slider to cook down-and-away for 8/30 whiffs. I love the four-seamer paint to LHB, too, save for one poor heater to Duran for a two-run shot, and I’m okay with Holmes nibbling with the pitch for a sub 60% strike rate. It’s tough on the horizon with SDP, @PHI, ARI up next, which is not fun for a guy I think is finally hitting his stride and I get if you’d rather chase something else. I’m still a believer for the full year.
Griffin Canning (NYM) @ NYY (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 92 pitches.
Dude. Incredible. A co-share of the Gallows Pole thanks to the slider and changeup, even with some four-seamer whiffs that shocked me plenty. He was also fortunate to have both longballs come with the bases empty as he skirted out of the Bronx with just 2 ER to his name…despite four strikeouts and eight baserunners. This Vargas Rule has been tested lately and Canning has yet to let up against the Sneks, Cubs, and Yankees. It doesn’t get easier with the Dodgers up twice in his next three, though the White Sox and Coors are on the up-beats. Are you willing to start Canning in all four?
Matthew Boyd (CHC) vs CHW (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.
Did it have to be 3 ER for a PQS? Fine, Boyd. We’ll take the stud performance from everything else. I’m a little sad to see the slider and curve fail consistently in this one – 1/22 whiffs and a paltry ~35% strike rate. And yes, two homers off the four-seamer, how did you know?
Ronel Blanco (HOU) @ TEX (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
A PQS with a poor WHIP and just five strikeouts sounds about right, honestly. Remember, the last game was road Reds + the best changeup/slider night we’ve seen all year. A peak, not a plateau. The changeup was far worse here and like the one smart kid in the group project, the slider had to do everything. The trick? Be the actual smart kid and not show how smart you are. I see you curveball, looking all cool and successful but getting used 30% less than the slider.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs TBR (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 101 pitches.
It’s baffling. One step forward, one step back. His velocity was peak Alcantara at 98 mph with 100 mph offerings in the mix. The changeup was beautifully spotted to LHB. His sinker was a strike matchine. And yet, the four-seamer went just 42% strikes, he couldn’t put batters away, and he allowed hits at the wrong time. I completely understand the logic of “he hasn’t been elite for a long time” and it rings in my head. It never made sense when he struggled, though, and this doesn’t feel right either…except he does have empty velocity – six feet of extension, drop more than rise on his four-seamer (12.5″ = Burnes’ cutter), and his 0.6 HAVAA is steep, not flat. The Marlins’ poor defense doesn’t help either and long story short, if he’s not earning whiffs, he’s either walking too many or putting his fate too much into the hands of Koufax. That logic makes sense. I also see a changeup that is still filthy, a pair of fastballs that should play off each other, and a developing curve + slider that should help with strikeouts for a pitcher who is throwing 98 mph and allowed to go 100 pitches. He just got the White Sox and Rays with the Angels, Rockie Road, and Pirates in his next three games. You gotta chase that, right?
Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 104 pitches.
Anderson did decently well against the mighty Dodgers, but as expected, it’s not a start you wanted. That’s fine, leave him on the wire for another few weeks with a four-game gauntlet ahead. He’s the perfect Toby for middling offenses and below.
Tobias Myers (MIL) vs MIN (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 71 pitches.
He got Singled Out, but it’s not like he threw incredible four-seamers and sliders to deserve a better result. Too many strikes, too many pitches down the pipe. I’m still holding off until we get a better showcase from Myers.
Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) @ PHI (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 78 pitches.
Say it with me y’all. We. Want. BUBBA. KC? No, the other bubba. But yes, him too.
Sean Burke (CHW) @ CHC (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 97 pitches.
Blegh. It’s the Cubs and clearly not the start to feature Burke, but sub 94 mph velocity that struggled to find the zone (40% zone rate is bad) with a 41% strike rate curve? That’s not okay.
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs LAA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
He’s back! And throwing 89.2 mph without good command on the four-seamer. The slider wasn’t spotted down-and-in to RHB per the old times, and the curve had a sub 50% strike rate. But splitters! That’s cool and not what we want. Obviously. Let’s not do this, okay? It’s fun to see, but kinda sad to see. Oh TATIAGA…
Germán Márquez (COL) @ ARI (ND) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 82 pitches.
Do y’all actually read these blurbs on Márquez? Yes. Hey, Ms. Márquez, sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just happy he gets to pitch and don’t want to judge him based on the results, you know? Let the man be happy. Okay. PHEW. Close one. Hi. Oh right. You’re still here.
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 90 pitches.
Wow, Gallen. Rockie Road and you allowed four home runs. Two came off the slider, which was thrown…THREE TIMES. The changeup and curve were effective, but not that effective with just 4/36 whiffs between them and really, this was a day of longballs and bad timing. He’s still capable of great outings n all, but yeah, this hurts. I feel for y’all.
Lucas Giolito (BOS) vs ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.
NICK! YOU PROMISED HE WAS DOPE! I absolutely said I loved the guy, I don’t throw the ball! But for real, I still love him and this was tough. The heater was great and did its part at 94 mph, but a hanging slider, a heavily pulled slider around the Pesky pole, and a horrible changeup led to three longballs and 5 ER. the new slider had moments but took a bit to get in rhythm, and the changeup was solid save for that terrible one to Olson. I’m not out on Giolito and neither should you. Baseball is baseball.
Kyle Gibson (BAL) vs WSN (L) – 0.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 47 pitches.
Even against the Nats. I wonder what’s going on in the Front Office that had them resorting to Gibson as their SP depth this off-season.
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