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.
Jack Leiter (TEX) vs CLE (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.
We know the talent of Jack Leiter is there, but we’ve barely seen it come out for a full start this year. Until Saturday: 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches. The man we called Jack Zippo in April returned for a single night and it was a joy to watch.
You can likely guess the catalyst for such an evening: domination via the four-seamer. It’s an elite offering and with a low NC Rate to go with 48% usage, Leiter returned fourteen outs with the pitch, half via way of the K. To keep batters from selling out for 97 mph heat, it’s imperative he features an array of secondaries inside the zone, and they stepped up in a major way in this one. No, the slider wasn’t alone in returning a 60%+ strike rate; in fact it was his fourth most thrown offering as all five pitches eclipsed the 60% strike rate standard. His changeup was a handful for Cleveland’s LHB, while the curve earned free real estate without hassle.
It was a good day. It doesn’t seem sustainable given the questionable command inside the zone + the exceptional nature of Leiter’s arsenal performing this well in tandem, but at least we got a taste of the ceiling – and this wasn’t even his best. Please, Jack, give me the confidence to call you Jack Zippo every day.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Nestor Cortes (SDP) vs LAD (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 81 pitches.
You didn’t see this one coming, did you? Cortes was relentless after hurling cutters and four-seamers over the plate and they couldn’t be touched. His feel for the 90 mph fastball up-and-away to RHB allowed the cutter to mingle freely with the plate and open the door for 5/15 sweeper whiffs. And why not, let’s throw in some decent changeups, though there’s still a bit of work to be done there. All in all, this was a mix of Koufax having a kind day + the best command from Cortes all season. I guess it’s worth a shot against the Twins, though I’m not jumping through hoops for the opportunity – the ceiling doesn’t look to be much higher than this and he had some good fortune here.
Cade Horton (CHC) @ LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 74 pitches.
Wait, so you’re actually okay?! And not on the IL? WELL THEN. Sorry about that one, it’s incredibly rare for a pitcher to get removed from a game due to a blister and not only pitch his next start without a hitch, but to demolish while doing so. I think he got away with a few of those heaters and sweepers up to RHB, but huge props, of course. Is it enough to trust him in Coors? Ehhhhhh, your call. I’m personally not interested.
Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs SFG (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 96 pitches.
We had a hefty plate of Professor Chaos in this one, featuring a 54% strike four-seamer at a 19% NC Rate(blegh), so I’m going to hold off your coronation a little longer. Doesn’t seem right.
Mike Burrows (PIT) vs COL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 57 pitches.
They pulled him for his shortest start of the season. While he was dealing. Is it because he was my streaming pick? How could they do this? What’s wild is the fact that his four-seamer had a 29% NC Rate and it didn’t matter. Rockie Road is such a gift AND THEY TOOK IT FROM US.
Jalen Beeks (ARI) vs CIN (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 16 pitches.
He opened for Nabil Crismatt who produced once again for 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 83 pitches (W). Well, that WHIP ain’t what you want, but the rest is fine, even at four frames, and the changeup/sinker combo is still the attack of choice. We didn’t see quite the same depth on the slowball this time around and even if he gets to pitch as a starter or as the bulk guy again, it would be against the Dodgers. You should ignore this for now.
Garrett Crochet (BOS) @ NYY (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 103 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. This was a THRASHING. Also bonkers to see Crochet’s four-seamer as his fourth most thrown pitch. Wait what. Cutters, sweepers, and sinkers were favored more. Whoa. Yup.
Logan Webb (SFG) @ MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
The sweeper is waking up with a 37% CSW in 20% usage, though the cutter and four-seamer combined for just ten thrown as it’s still mostly sinker/change. Not my favorite version of Webb (just five strikeouts and seven whiffs, after all), but we’ll take this all day.
George Kirby (SEA) vs ATH (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches.
Ehhh, it’s fine. The four-seamer and sinker command were stellar here, but three walks?! I know I’ve been pushing you to nibble more, but three walks is pushing it, Kirbs, especially if you’re not producing elevated strikeout rates alongside it. We keep starting him – duh – I think we’re moving further away from the AGA with each start, though. He’s back to being a good Holly and failing to find the next step.
Jeffrey Springs (ATH) @ SEA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 74 pitches.
Springs somehow received a day of sunshine and rainbows in Seattle, nailing his changeup down and four-seamer up as well as he could. It’s a decent schedule ahead with TEX + @STL on the horizon, and it’s up to you if you’d like to roll the dice. I personally prefer to avoid it.
Chris Paddack (DET) vs KCR (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 62 pitches.
It was a nightmare at the park last time out and Paddack saw the other side of the coin with Koufax doing everything he could to aid him in this one. Paddack had terrible feel for his pitches (42% strikes on his changeup, y’all) and the Royals saw these pitches and simply didn’t do enough with them. Just one strikeout and one whiff? HAISTBMBWT?! I’d be scared to start Paddack right now.
José Berríos (TOR) @ MIA (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 81 pitches.
Even though he’s The Great Undulator, Berríos can still take down a poor lineup when given a chance. A King Cole, however, was not on my bingo card. Blame it on the Marlins for letting so many sinkers go through the tolls without a fare, returning a 41% CSW in the process and electing to swing through seven changeups with a 40% chase rate instead. How thoughtful.
Clay Holmes (NYM) @ ATL (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 94 pitches.
That’s two in a row for The Adobe, but this was a whole lot of Koufax and an inefficient Atlanta team as they were over-aggressive and saved Holmes as he struggled to find strikes: His three most thrown pitches all sat under a 60% strike rate. I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.
Aaron Nola (PHI) vs WSN (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches.
Nola was Singled Out during the third inning of his Still ILL last week against the Nationals and got his revenge with a Gallows Pole to boot. The curve was as dope as ever at 40% CSW and 11/43 whiffs, while I’m happy to see 92/93 mph on his four-seamer. Even the changeup was doing legit work to LHB at times. Maybe we can start living every day like it’s Nola day once again.
Davis Martin (CHW) vs MIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.
Hey, that’s neat. In typical Martin fashion, it’s a productive start without flaunting it. The cutter is carrying his quiet decency and I’m not sure it’s enough to consider him against better squads like the Yankees next. But maybe the Twins again + Tigers after…Meh.
Michael Wacha (KCR) @ DET (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 108 pitches.
A VPQS for Wacha sounds about right. He’s the most Toby of all. Wow, look at that brown suit go.
Janson Junk (MIA) vs TOR (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.
The JunkBaller left this one with forearm discomfort that “isn’t painful” so we shouldn’t be worried about it…? Yeah, nah. Don’t believe that. Doesn’t really matter, though. I wouldn’t suggest rolling with him regardless.
Cal Quantrill (ATL) vs NYM (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 92 pitches.
Hey Atlanta, is that what you want?! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?! Okay fine, I know it’s not, it’s just such a wild scenario how they keep picking up every DFA’ed SP they can find.
Tyler Glasnow (LAD) @ SDP (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 83 pitches.
Aces gonna wat. Neither four-seamer nor sinker could be the reliable heater he desperately needed and the slider returned to its inconsistent nature for 47% strikes. Sigh. Come on Glasnow, you should be way better than this.
Cristian Javier (HOU) @ BAL (ND) – 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 65 pitches.
Bleeeegh. This was the ultimate “Almost effectively, but actually just wildly wild” outing where Javier had a 21% NC Rate on his four-seamer and went 3/10 strikes with his curveball to LHB. He was so clearly off his game and I hate to say it, but we need to see a good 75+ pitch outing from Javier before we start him again. Yes, that means he’s droppable. Sigh. I’m not saying you should do that – I actually think he’ll turn it around – but bird in the hand is worth two three four in the bush n all.
Kyle Freeland (COL) @ PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 94 pitches.
Freeland has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter.
Will Warren (NYY) vs BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 69 pitches.
Oooooof. That hurts. Warren had zero feel for his secondaries and the signature fastball command eluded him, with all fourteen sinkers to RHB missing the outside edge. But you wanted him to go inside with the pitch! Yes, but to mix it up! Not to suddenly force something new and remove the old ways. And that fastball was down the pipe to LHB. You wanted that too! DON’T YOU DARE. You’re likely tempted to rage drop, but I’m holding for the White Sox next. Then again, maybe this is the fatigue setting in…Dang, I’m 50/50 now. My gut says hold but my head says to cut my losses. Your call.
Mitchell Parker (WSN) @ PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 103 pitches.
You know, the slider was actually kinda great, save for the HR. JUST SAYIN’. I really want him to find a new team and see if the change of scenery squeezes the most out of his stuff.
Dean Kremer (BAL) vs HOU (ND) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 75 pitches.
You took a shot after Kremer’s great start last week in Houston and that cutter was far worse without the same precision across the board. I don’t blame you, but sadly, he’s Dean Werewolf, not Dean Green, Fighting Machine. Awww, but I love that guy. Me too.
Victor Mederos (LAA) vs CHC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 68 pitches.
This didn’t have much of a chance to go well for Mederos. He’s kinda weird, but he needed to be weird.
Andrew Abbott (CIN) @ ARI (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 73 pitches.
You may think this is just a case of regression. It’s not. It could be skills regression as Abbott’s command was so much worse than what we’ve seen and he deserved to stumble a bit here, but even still, it was just two HRs that ultimately did the damage. We’re still starting him and expecting better changeups and fastball locations with a reliable breaker next time.
Mick Abel (MIN) @ CHW (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 63 pitches.
Well this makes me sad. I’ve been itching for Abel to return to the majors since his demotion in Philly and that second inning was pain. Six runs crossed the plate in the frame, capped by a grand slam after he had already walked in a run (on a 3-2 pitch, at least). Thing is, I could see the legitimacy that will shine on a better day – 96/97 mph heaters generally upstairs with elite extension and a flat attack angle, an elite 83 mph two-plane curveball, a great sweeper, a gyro slider, a kick-change, and a sinker he jams RHB for outs. It’s all there and he just needs the reps. I might dig this arsenal more than Zebby’s, by the way. At the very least, I believe in Abel’s command a touch more. But Zebby has struggled too. Shhhh, I’m thinking more for next season. For now, drop Abel with the Padres next and then take a shot in another start against the White Sox. He’ll be better.
Logan Allen (CLE) @ TEX (L) – 5.0 IP, 9 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 96 pitches.
Two. First. Names. And without the command to make this low velo but 17″ vert with 1.5 HAVAA four-seamer work well enough. He’s a rare streamer and I’m sorry for those who flipped the coin here. Don’t return to this for a while, if at all.
Game of the Day
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Nick Pivetta – It’s our weekly dose of The Inquisitor (Why Why?) + it could be coronation day for Pivetta.
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)
