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 weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Noah Schultz (CHW) vs TBR (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 82 pitches.
It’s the middle of April, which means teams start calling up prospect pitchers now that they can secure an extra year of team control, and it took me by surprise that Noah Schultz was the first major name to make his debut, with a start against the Rays on Tuesday night. If you picked him up, great! If you started him, then you didn’t follow the PILOT rule, and he unsurprisingly gave you a Debut Downer – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 82 pitches (L). But that was yesterday, what about tomorrow Sunday?
The skills are obviously fun. He’s a slinging southpaw with a 96 mph heater (up from 94 mph in Triple-A last year) that may settle to the 94/95 mph we saw in the third and fifth, a 90 mph cutter he loves getting inside to RHB (-4″ of cut but a ton of lift) and a sweeper/slider that isn’t exceptional, but has enough sweep to take advantage of his lanky 6’10” frame and get LHB out if he can keep it away.
I’m a little surprised his extension isn’t higher at just 6.4 feet, but the sinker’s 18″ of horizontal ride is expected…and he barely touched it inside to LHB. He also leaned inside to RHB with the pitch, nearly splitting its time with the worse four-seamer and I’m not the biggest fan of it. This isn’t Chris Sale yet as he doesn’t go BSB, nor utilize the breakers much to RHB, and he’s certainly not a SWATCH given he threw – checks notes – zero changeups.
I’m conflicted. This doesn’t look to be a bankable stud at first glance + the @ATH, WSN, @SDP schedule isn’t ideal. Without a changeup or overwhelming breaker to RHB, I’m cautious that Schultz has a winnable approach, though his 97 mph four-seamer did return 5/19 whiffs on the night. It’s possible the sweeper is much better than this and comes alive next time out, changing my tune. Expect some volatility early if you’re holding Schultz, but the White Sox seem confident in the kid if he’s getting the call to start so early. I’m expecting a few more showcases of his Shag Rug in the near future, as well as an improved set of skills now that the debut jitters are out of the way. Not a MUST HOLD given the risk, but I’d like to hold if I can.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Mick Abel (MIN) vs BOS (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 90 pitches.
Yeah, this is dope. It’s awesome watching Abel not only nail the top of the zone with his four-seamer, but also land sliders and curveballs down as well…kinda. The slider was a bit chaotic, but there were a fair number that were perfect and I loved it. Against RHB, the changeup returned a fantastic 47% CSW across 38% usage, though I wonder if he can continue to get away with it down the pipe (batters were expecting heaters). I should also mention that Abel’s velocity fell to 95 mph in this one (not 96/97), but he did start at 96 mph, fall to 94 mph in the 3rd and fourth and return to 95 mph for the fifth and sixth. That’s awesome. I’m completely fine with that velocity if he can locate as well he did here. Now he’ll get the wounded Mets and I’m stoked for what’s ahead.
Cole Ragans (KCR) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 93 pitches.
Aces gonna…return four walks and one strikeout. Excuse me? Yeaaah, HAISTBMBWT?! It’s awfully weird to see just 1/45 four-seamer whiffs from his heater, though the pitch did sit 94 mph all evening with more cut than it should, while the Tigers were on top of his changeup. It was weird. Welp, those ratios are great and somehow he’s 0-3 this year because the bullpen blew the 1-0 lead in the eighth. Sigh.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs NYM (ND) – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 23 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 104 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a Gallows Pole. This game was so good. The Inquisitor earned one award, McLean the other, and it was a true battle of aces. Wait, does that mean…
Nolan McLean (NYM) @ LAD (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 95 pitches.
…Aces. Gonna. Ace. It’s pretty obvious. Our first coronation day of the year. He’s up to 96+ mph on his four-seamer and sinker and the cutter is effectively getting in on the kitchen-sink action to LHB, helping him earn a King Cole. Too bad the Mets are the Mets and he’s just 1-1 despite a 2.28 ERA on the year.
Reid Detmers (LAA) @ NYY (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 99 pitches.
WHOA. There’s your Gold Star as I didn’t have the lowest expectations for Detmers, but it sure felt like a low probability of excellence. I’m thrilled to see Detmers return to a changeup over a splitter, and it was huge against RHB – 13/15 strikes with five whiffs and 47% CSW – and the slider was better than expected. He got away with a fair number of fastball mistakes to LHB, and given just 2/44 whiffs without a strikeout on the pitch, this game truly leaned on that slowball surprising Yankee hitters. He even got a punchout on the sole changeup to LHB with Grisham chasing in a 3-2 count on a questionable executed changeup down-and-away. Does this outing spell Detmers’ dominance moving forward? If the changeup is there, it certainly makes him more appealing, and sure, let’s keep riding it against the Padres. I see this becoming a HIPSTER situation instead of the true rise to excellence I’ve waited years to see from Detmers, and I’ll be stoked to be wrong.
Framber Valdez (DET) vs KCR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches.
It was Framber vs. Valdez Ragans and they combined for two strikeouts and seven whiffs across 13 innings. I wonder what was in the Detroit water. You know, forget I asked that. Y’all dodged a bullet here with 0/27 curveball whiffs and a 48% strike rate, which usually correlates with Valdez’s disaster outings. We’re not out of the woods yet.
Jeffrey Springs (ATH) vs TEX (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
This was the tough matchup in Sacré Verde before the schedule eases and he’s on a tear. He’s sliding down the rainbow with sunshine in his face after getting away with his worst four-seamer of the year (missing the vert gains + 54% strike rate), and he made up for it with stellar feel for the slider. It’s CHW, @TEX, CLE next and yeah, he’s a worthwhile fantasy pitcher in 12-teamers.
Michael King (SDP) vs SEA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.
Outside of the Angels being a super hot offense right now (is that going to last? That would be awesome), King has a solid schedule ahead and I’d keep rolling him out there. This isn’t prime King (39% strikes on four-seamers and 46% on sweepers = Blegh), though his changeup and sinker are looking great. It’s nice that he’s producing on the surface while we wait for him to click into place.
Brady Singer (CIN) vs SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 75 pitches.
Huh. Another HAISTBMBWT?! that we’re totally fine with tonight. And it’s not like Singer didn’t pitch well – he spotted sinkers and that slider/sweeper was dotted down-and-away to RHB. We’ll take it? The Twins shouldn’t be as hot as they are, but then again, you may not want to do that.
Joey Cantillo (CLE) @ STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.
He cruised as he should against the Cardinals and I’m blown away at his four-seamer’s effectiveness despite poor location at 91/92 mph. This was a game of the pitch incessantly thrown over the plate and the Cardinals failing to do much with it as the changeup returned just 7/14 strikes. Yeah, just seven good ones on the entire start. The curve didn’t help either (4/11 strikes) and the new slider was good for LHB, but this was nearly 60% four-seamers and this was a Cardinal Sin. I’m not sure he can get away with this against @TOR and @ATH, but maybe the Orioles up next. Let’s hope it was just an off day that no one will know about. Except you, the wise fantasy manager who reads every SP roundup blurb every day. You’re a real one.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ BAL (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.
It was a Still ILL and I’m thrilled to see five frames and 86 pitches, with a huge gift of a Win despite nine baserunners and a terrible K-to-BB ratio. His changeup and curveball were close but not accurate, and I’d wager they return next time out. Start him against the White Sox now that this one is out of the way.
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) vs TOR (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 76 pitches.
He threw 71%+ strikes on all four of his pitches. Yes, one changeup for a strike is in there. He really needs to get that slider lower, though. It’s truly the difference between Jay Mis being solid and being a true stud. Is this enough to crown him as an AGA? How about you go and dominate the Marlins and we’ll talk.
Michael McGreevy (STL) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.
He’s such a boring Toby, who is still showcasing depressed velocity, but he was able to locate cutters inside + changeups aeay to the exclusively LHB lineup and he got through it. He’s the perfect example of a “Welp, he has a shot for six frames and decent ratios at the cost of few strikeouts and a potential blow up,” and I’d only consider him as a dire weekend stream.
Shane McClanahan (TBR) @ CHW (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
This wasn’t a fun time watching McShane, who allowed a three-run shot on a hanging slider in the third (two runs earned) and struggled once again to locate the changeup at a 52% strike rate. And yet, he got you a Win with a 3.60 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Could be worse for a guy who is obviously not in rhythm yet. The schedule is too good to pass on right now. But he’s not pitching well. No, he’s not. And yes, this could be a case of McClanahan pitching to the best of what he can do right now, which means blow-ups are ahead. It could also be April 15th with three starts into the year after not pitching since 2023. With the great schedule, I’ll take the chance he’s going to be a better pitcher by May 1st.
Robbie Ray (SFG) @ CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.
This was a start exclusively against RHB and Ray went pure BSB with changeups and sliders galore in the bottom half of the zone (with a handful of accidental high changeups) and despite the low strike rates on both (see the four walks), it led to plenty of whiffs and a productive game. The heater’s 1/31 whiffs is a bit shocking, though. Eh, whatever, it’s still been a lovely time rostering Ray this year, and now he gets @WSN, MIA, and @TBR. It’s about dang time the Giants had a good schedule.
MacKenzie Gore (TEX) @ ATH (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 6 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 94 pitches.
Bleeeegh. Clearly, I was too confident placing Gore in the auto-start tier in Sacré Verde. This was a showcase of a pitcher who obviously labored and I’d hand wave it for @TEA and a home start against the Athletics. This isn’t him.
Michael Lorenzen (COL) @ HOU (L) – 2.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 71 pitches.
Strong Bad ran into a horrendous third inning amplified by a fielding error on the second batter and the floodgates opened. Why am I telling you all of this, don’t start him. Obviously.
Bryan Woo (SEA) @ SDP (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.
Aces gonna mid. He got Singled Out for all three runs in the third and cruised otherwise, though just three strikeouts is disappointing, especially when we’re seeing 25% sweepers to RHB for 33% whiffs (his sinker was hit into play a ton, ending at-bats quickly). If that sweeper sticks, we’re golden.
Colin Rea (CHC) @ PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 87 pitches.
Whooaaaaaa. Rea was opened for, increasing the chance of a Win and I clearly undervalued the possibility in my daily ranks. Sadly, that’s not a PQS as he didn’t start the game, but I can at least start labeling Rea as a streaming option and with the Mets on the docket this weekend, you may want to consider him for your H2H leagues, especially if he gets opened for again. The Dodgers and Padres follow, so this is just a one-time thing.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) @ MIL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches.
Blegh. It was one of those games where Gausman struggled to consistently get his splitter high enough (46% strike rate) and the house of cards fell apart. That’s Gausman.
Aaron Nola (PHI) vs CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 87 pitches.
His fastballs returned just 1/6 outs in play and that is some cruel Koufax treatment, though it’s also not the best precision I’ve seen from Nola. His curveball is still dope, though. Nola isn’t able to get away with as much as he used to, and we’ll continue to see these annoying outings if he can’t lock in.
Reynaldo López (ATL) vs MIA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.
This is more in line with the starts I expect from ReyLó, especially when he’s sitting 93 mph (sat all game) and featuring far less movement. I wouldn’t do this against the Phillies twice up ahead.
Max Meyer (MIA) @ ATL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches.
Yeah, okay. The breakers are dope per usual, the fastballs are not. Per usual. I dig that he’s still trying out the changeup (9/10 strikes to LHB!) and I’m cool with starting him at home against the Cardinals up next. Just don’t throw too many heaters.
Miles Mikolas (WSH) @ PIT (L) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 49 pitches.
This may be the first time I’ve seen Mikolas opened for (I wonder how he felt about that) and you could make a case that it helped after he returned a sub-9.00 ERA. Ouch.
Trevor Rogers (BAL) vs ARI (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 99 pitches.
He was the Holly you love through four, and allowed a three-run shot in the fifth. So it goes. Seventeen whiffs aided by a 1+ mph bump on both the four-seamer and changeup, while he executed a beautiful BSB to right-handers. He didn’t deserve those ratios and I still love him.
Colton Gordon (HOU) vs COL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 68 pitches.
Welp, I was hoping Gordon could have some of last year’s magic to take advantage of Rockie Road, but it wasn’t meant to be. We move on.
Ryan Weathers (NYY) vs LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 94 pitches.
He allowed back-to-back-to-back HRs in the first inning, then a fourth solo shot in the fourth, with a Careful, Icarus after walking the first batter of the sixth, and scoring later in the frame. It shouldn’t surprise you to see HRs as the issue when a pitcher returns 10 strikeouts in five frames, nor should it shock you that four-seamers were to blame – it’s a deadzone heater. I consider Weathers a discount Luzardo and I know all of your worries about the fella. Truly, I get it. I’m going to trust a 31% strikeout rate vs. 8% walk rate to start the year and not the 1.71 HR/9 and 9.4 H/9. I’d keep rolling him out there.
Sonny Gray (BOS) @ MIN (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.
Blegh. That’s another HAISTBMBWT?! and seven total strikeouts combined between Gray, Valdez, Woo, Singer, and Ragans. It was a Gray day for all and Sonny again tomorrow, I’m sure.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs WSN (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
Womp womp. Nothing was good and he got bamboozled in the first, saved by a strike-em-out-throw-em-out to leave the bump at 29 pitches. Saved? You know what I mean. He’s the same guy as ever and is a 15-teamer play against the Rays next.
Game of the Day
Emerson Hancock vs. Randy Vásquez – Hey, it’s two guys I’m in on this year!
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky). Inspired by the style of Charles M. Schulz and the Peanuts comic strip
