Quick Looks, Mahle, Mikolas, & Lucchesi

Tyler Mahle (68% owned at FanTrax)

I watched his game for the 2nd when he beat the Cubs by going 6 IP, 0 Runs, and 7 K’s. Mahle and the opposing pitcher, Tyler Chatwood, did have generous wide strike zone to work with.

• Fastball: 91-95 mph with some rise. He kept the pitch high in the strike zone and hitters were just swinging through it.

• Slider: 81-85 mph and with more sink than run (might be more run but it was tough to tell with the offset camera angle). It had some nasty movement at lower velocities.

• Change: 83-86 mph. Straight with some possible sinking action. Its shape was inconsistent.

• The free-swinging Cubs hit the ball hard against him but right at several defenders. With his flyball nature, he may be a tough play at home once the weather starts heating up. I’m trying to not hate him but I think the results couldn’t have been better for him with several stars aligning.

Overall, I think his talent is in the range of Jake Arrieta or Tanner Roark. I’m worried his rising fastball will lead to home runs at home and once the weather heats up elsewhere. I don’t think he’s a spot starter but just someone who owners bench a third of the time.

Miles Mikolas (75% owned)

I watched the 29-year-old righty in spring training with mixed results. It was nice to see him throw with a great camera angle and pitch information.

• Fastball #1 (four-seam): 93-97 mph with nasty release side run.

• Fastball #2 (Two-seam/cutter/sinker): 92-95 mph. Cuts in opposite direction of 4-seam. Labeled as a sinker but it doesn’t sink more than his 4-seamer.

• Slider: 85-89 mph. It can be a plus pitch but it’s not always devastating with almost more cutter movement at times. He didn’t have a feel for it during the first few innings but got it going later on in the start.

• Curve: Was at 76-78 mph. A slower curve with a ton of break which he can throw for strikes.

• Change: 87-90 mph. Not good at all. No break. Too close to his fastball in velocity. Possibly a split-finger especially after pitching in Japan the past few seasons.

• He had decent control of his pitches, stayed in the strike zone, and limited the walks.

Overall, I’m not sure what to think of him. He reminds me of Trevor Bauer from a few years back when he threw 16 different pitches and tried to get too cute with each one, but without the walks. Mikolas sort of got his pitches going in the start (gave up three home runs) but it seems like too much is going on. He didn’t use his good stuff enough. Dropping his change might be a good place to start.

I’m not sure who I’d value him the same as. Mahle and he have similar ownership rates and I think I’d side with Mikolas. He’s ownable in all leagues right on potential and decent production.

Joey Lucchesi (21% owned)

I didn’t bear down on him but just took some notes while watching him throw against the Brewers. Here they are:

• The 24-year-old lefty had a jerky windup which may cause some deception when pitching out of the windup. He was a little slow out of the stretch also as Lorenzo Cain easily stole second off him.

• Fastball: 90-93, Bland.

• Curve: 77-80 mph. Normally with 12-6 break. Inconsistent.

• Change: 80-81 mph. Bad with no movement.

None of pitches or control stood out at all. Each pitch was hittable with almost no swing-and-miss. His prospect grades had him with better pitches.

I didn’t see anything major league average or above average from his start. He’s a speculative add in deeper leagues.