Starter Spotlight: Pfaadt Chance

7-27-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X

Though the Pirates squandered an early lead and multiple opportunities to break through with more runs, they will have another chance to make up for it tonight as they face Diamondbacks starter, Brandon Pfaadt.

Pfaadt is having a resurgent sophomore season following his lackluster numbers in his rookie year, where he posted a 5.72 ERA over 96 regular season frames. He would improve in the post-season (3.27 ERA in 22 innings) and has continued that turn of success this year with a 3.74 ERA across 120.1 innings.

His pitch mix mostly consists of a mid-90s 4-seam, a mid-80s sweeper and a low-90s sinker, while occasionally adding in a high-80s changeup and low-80s curve. But mostly, he’s throwing the first three options.

His sweeper has been his most successful offering, stymying hitters and generating a 34.9% whiff rate while producing 53 of Pfaadt’s 111 strikeouts this year – the most of any pitch.

On the other hand, his four-seam and sinker have been been hit often and hard, with his four-seam in particular expected to hit some strong regression as the xSLG (.426) is 60 points higher than the actual SLG (.366) rate.

Pfaadt works sweeper/sinker/4-seam against righties but mainly falls back on his 4-seam as his main pitch for lefties with the changeup/sweeper as secondary pairings. And lefties have been much more successful in these plate appearances.

Lefties have posted nearly 100 points more in batting average and almost 200 points more for the OPS (.734 vs .565).

Hopefully, Rowdy is feeling good and able to play today because the offense needs the bat and for the left-handed bats to step up today. Look for high heat and lay off the breaking stuff down.

Let’s Go Bucs!