Finding Giolito: Mahle & Smeltzer

I’m continuing my quest to find the next Lucas Giolito breakout and failed with these two. They both were to be adding slider and some added velocity.

Tyle Mahle: Reds right-handed pitcher

Games

• 2/29/20
• 3/5/20

Notes:

• Some rise on the fastball but it’s really straight (95 and 97 mph from broadcast on two pitches).
• The curve was inconsistent and he hung a few.
• Just didn’t throw a put-away pitch in the second game.
• He had no feel for the splitter at all in the 3/5 game. It was better in the 2/29 game.
• I wasn’t sure what he was doing. He might not of known either.

Fastball (8%, 40%)

Splitter (14%, 61%)

Curve (11%, 48%)

Conclusion: I watched Mahle for two reasons, higher velocity and a new slider. The added velocity seemed to be there with some stated speeds (95 and 97 mph) higher than his 2019 average of 94 mph. I saw no signs of a sweeping slider. He may have thrown one that broke 12-6 but it’s tough to differentiate it from his split and curve. I have no interest in him at this point in him. While his fastball may be faster, it’s as straight as an arrow. His curve also doesn’t have much swing-and-miss. And his splitter came and went. I’ll take my chances with someone else.

Devin Smeltzer: Twins Left-handed Pitcher

Game watched (only one available)

• 3/2/20: Pathetic Cardinals/Marlins ump-ass camera angle.

Notes:

• He landed a bit toward 1B to get some angle on his throws. He might struggle against right-handed hitters because of it.
• Everything breaks towards right-handed hitters.
• His fastball has nothing on it. Very hittable. No put-away pitch.

Conclusion: I just about skipped him with the useless camera angle, but I suffered through the two innings. There is nothing to get excited about, he’s just way too hittable. If he added a slider, it wasn’t generating any swings-and-misses. He needs so much to go right to be usable and showed none of it in this start. Speculate elsewhere.