Throwing Heat Week 13

Throwing Heat is in full force as we push toward the 100-game mark across the league! For those who didn’t read these articles last season, this weekly article focuses on pitchers who are pitching well.

This article’s beauty is that it highlights all types of pitchers from the best in the league to pitchers who are barely rostered. If someone is on a hot streak they will be in this article. I will also tell you if the hot streak is legit or if it appears to be a façade. I hope you enjoy it!

*Stats as of 7/25*

Reid Detmers, LAA

Last three starts: 1.06 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 29.2 K%

In Reid Detmers first 12 starts he pitched his way to a 4.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and an 18.6 K%. While these numbers aren’t the worst they weren’t good enough for the Los Angeles Angels and they decided to send him down to AAA to work on some things.

In AAA Detmers decided to work on his slider. The pitch has elite movement but he just couldn’t get it to induce whiffs as it had in 2021. What Detmers did was up the velocity on the pitch by about two ticks and it (so far) has transformed the pitch into being a lethal one once again.

Since getting the call to join the rotation again, Detmers has been lights out in three starts. In 17 innings he has a 1.06 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 29.2 K%. While it is only two starts it’s hard to deny that this could be legit since he has upped his slider usage from 20.3% to 33% and he has also upped his fastball velocity from 93.1 MPH to 93.7 MPH.

I was a big fan coming into the season and I think he has a ton of talent. With these new changes, he could be finally breaking out to an extent.

Marcus Stroman, CHC

Last three starts: 1.26 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 25.5 K%

Stroman has struggled this season with a 4.38 ERA as opposed to his 3.02 ERA from last season. His home run rate is above his career average and his ground ball rate is under 50%, something that hasn’t happened in Stroman’s career.

The good thing about Stroman’s 4.38 ERA is it does come with a 3.73 FIP, 3.27 xFIP, and 3.64 SIERA. Meaning he should pitch better moving forward as he has been a bit unlucky. It also seems like Stroman has been toying with his pitch mix because he tried using his four-seam a lot more than last season but when it wasn’t working he has turned to his old pitch mix which was when he would go sinker heavy.

These last three starts are a good sign for Stroman and he should provide solid numbers moving forward.

Gerrit Cole, NYY

Last three starts: 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 37.7 K%

Since 2018 Gerrit Cole has pitched 786.1 innings and has accumulated a 2.88 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and a 35.2 K%. He is crazy good.

Jose Urquidy, HOU

Last three starts: 3.10 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 18.2 K%

Jose Urquidy has actually been really good for his last seven starts with a 2.58 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and a 14.0 K-BB%. In this span, he did face some good offenses as well like the Yankees, Mets, and Rangers.

It looks like Urquidy made a shift in his pitching usage to help induce this amazing run. He has upped his slider usage from 9.8% to 16.0%. His slider this season has a 13.1 SwStr%, 38.8 O-Swng%, and a 88 wRC+ against it. It’s honestly his most well-rounded pitch in terms of inducing weak contact and creating whiffs. It’s a good move and likely a big reason for his recent success.

With that said, his 2.58 ERA in these seven starts does come with a 4.01 FIP, 4.32 xFIP, and 4.28 SIERA so some regression is likely coming. Although, even if he has a 3.50 ERA the rest of the way it’s definitely super useful.