Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher's performance from every Tuesday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch.tv (https://twitch.tv/pitcherlist) weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Shane Baz (BAL) @ BOS (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
In the early stages of the season, one of the biggest challenges is deciding when to drop a player and when to hold on, hoping for a turnaround. Shane Baz (BAL) was a clear drop after a 5.48 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with a sub 20% strikeout rate through his first eight games on May 9th. His approach didn't suggest a better path ahead. However, his last four games have been a different story, with just 7 ER in 27 frames, leading to a 2.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 23% strikeout rate. I wasn't convinced after his initial three starts (two against his former Tampa Bay colleagues), but this start had one significant improvement: his curveball. It wasn't the shape or velocity, but simply his feel. He boosted its usage to 42%, landing it down and in the zone for a 72% strike rate and 9/39 whiffs. His four-seamer also did the right thing, staying out of the way and hanging out at the top of the zone or well above it, while the sinker landed inside to RHB with ease. These are positive signs. While I'm not sure this start is enough to get me back on board, I want to see more than just his best pitch being his best pitch to force me to buy in moving forward.
Jack Flaherty (DET) @ TBR (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 94 pitches.
Jack Flaherty (DET) has been on a roll with three straight starts of 6+ strikeouts, after doing so just once in six starts prior. However, his recent performance is a bit concerning. Just seven whiffs and the 18" vert is a product of the domed Tropicana. Not even his secondaries were exceptional, returning sub 60% strike rates and just 4/41 whiffs. That's a bit dry.
Gage Jump (ATH) @ CHC (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
Gage Jump (ATH) had a solid outing, going a full seven frames in hitter-friendly June Wrigley. His four-seamer returned 92% strikes at 97 mph (harder than the debut!) at a fantastic 1.7 HAVAA and consistently upstairs to RHB. That was the real story, with his slider and curve earning strikes but failing to be a true game-changer. All secondaries induced 7/8 outs on balls in play in concert with just three whiffs, and it's an area of improvement for Jump. Just imagine if his changeup could sit under the heater instead of going 2/8 strikes. With @HOU, Rockie Road and LAA up next, I'm kinda tempted to give it a whirl. That said, it’s a poor home park and the second
