While he may only have 17 holds and a middling 3.81 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, there’s a bright future for Alex Lange at the back end of the Tigers’ bullpen. Lange’s curveball is one of the most dominant offerings in all of baseball, with a 59.4% Whiff rate, 38.8% PutAway rate and just 18 hits allowed over a total of 469 pitches. His sinker at 96.2 MPH has been hit around a little, but a 61.5% GB rate is promising. His third offering, his changeup, has a 55.1% Whiff rate on 178 pitches thrown, and has been his secondary offering against left handed hitters. On the year, Lange ranks in the top FIVE in SwStr% (19.7%) and CSW (35.2%). As the season comes to a close and we start looking ahead, keep Lange in mind as a potential sleeper in all formats for 2023.
Notes
- While Collin McHugh only has 14 holds on the season, six have come over the past month as the Braves have been working him into more high leverage situations. Since August 8th, McHugh has a 1.53 ERA and .79 WHIP to go with 22 K’s over 17.2 IP.
- Chris Martin has been one of the most unheralded trade deadline acquisitions, but since August the veteran has been one of the best relievers in baseball. His .8 WAR, 1.89 SIERA, and 32.1% K-BB rate all rank in the top 10 amongst all relievers since August started. Before the trade he had a 4.31 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, however that did come with a 2.08 xFIP.
- Sam Hentges has also been lights out since August started, and the Guardians are trusting him in high leverage spots, giving him renewed value in holds leagues (5 of his 6 holds have come since August). Since the All-Star break, Hentges ranks in the top TWO amongst relievers in GB% (72.5%), and SIERA (1.31), while also posting a 34.1% K rate (just outside the top 10).
- With Josh Hader settling back into the closer role, Nick Martinez appears to still be the favorite for holds in San Diego, although Robert Suarez and Pierce Johnson are still likely to factor in as well.
Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
