The leading ROY candidate just had a historic game last night. Let's do an official rating of his pitch arsenal.
FA (67%): 98.2 mph (Grade 70), -2.0" xMov (Grade 35), 9.5" zMov (Grade 55)
This is the monster pitch with huge velo and good rise. While it may not be a legit 80 overall based strictly on velo/rise, any better FA (non-deGrom category) in the sport comes out of the BP and isn't thrown 60+ times per game. His velocity plays up due to Strider's excellent extension towards home plate of 6.9', which leads to an average perceived velocity of 99.2 mph (11th in all MLB, not to mention he's thrown 1966 pitches this year while nobody ahead of him in velocity has even thrown 1000). His rise also plays up due to his relatively low release point of 5.71', which likely makes the rise appear greater than it is. Taking all that into account I have no hesitation calling this pitch a clear 80.
SL (28%): 90.6 mph (Grade 70), 3.0" xMov (Grade 50/55), 0.0" zMov (Grade 55/60)
This is a true power slider in every sense of the word. This pitch has big velo, and above average movement on both planes. This is easily a 60 grade or better pitch that plays up because it's thrown off the elite FA. The eye test shows us that batters can't gear up for the monster FA and still have a chance vs this plus SL.
CH (5%): 9.6 mph delta (Grade 60), -8.3" xMov (Grade 55), 4.9" zMov (Grade 50)
This is a plus pitch, and just like the SL plays up due to the huge FA. Strider can get by dominating hitters with just the FA/SL, but honing this pitch is what will elevate him to elite Ace status where he can reliably navigate a MLB lineup 3x every night like Fried currently does.
Command: 2.98 BB/9
This is right in line with average MLB SP walk rate, and nothing we've seen suggests Strider has any control issues. As is usual with pitchers, improving his command as he loses velocity will be the key to remaining effective long-term (health notwithstanding)
Overall:
This is what everyone envisions every time someone says "he's such a great BP arm, I'd love to see him get the chance to start". It very rarely works out, but Strider has pulled it off. He very clearly has the stuff to be a TOR guy, and now that he's built up the stamina to throw 90+ pitches he's producing like one. Calling someone a "poor man's deGrom' is a massive compliment, and I think it's fitting here. And like deGrom, these high octane arms tend to burn out quickly, so enjoy the ride while the elbow/shoulder are intact.
FA (67%): 98.2 mph (Grade 70), -2.0" xMov (Grade 35), 9.5" zMov (Grade 55)
This is the monster pitch with huge velo and good rise. While it may not be a legit 80 overall based strictly on velo/rise, any better FA (non-deGrom category) in the sport comes out of the BP and isn't thrown 60+ times per game. His velocity plays up due to Strider's excellent extension towards home plate of 6.9', which leads to an average perceived velocity of 99.2 mph (11th in all MLB, not to mention he's thrown 1966 pitches this year while nobody ahead of him in velocity has even thrown 1000). His rise also plays up due to his relatively low release point of 5.71', which likely makes the rise appear greater than it is. Taking all that into account I have no hesitation calling this pitch a clear 80.
SL (28%): 90.6 mph (Grade 70), 3.0" xMov (Grade 50/55), 0.0" zMov (Grade 55/60)
This is a true power slider in every sense of the word. This pitch has big velo, and above average movement on both planes. This is easily a 60 grade or better pitch that plays up because it's thrown off the elite FA. The eye test shows us that batters can't gear up for the monster FA and still have a chance vs this plus SL.
CH (5%): 9.6 mph delta (Grade 60), -8.3" xMov (Grade 55), 4.9" zMov (Grade 50)
This is a plus pitch, and just like the SL plays up due to the huge FA. Strider can get by dominating hitters with just the FA/SL, but honing this pitch is what will elevate him to elite Ace status where he can reliably navigate a MLB lineup 3x every night like Fried currently does.
Command: 2.98 BB/9
This is right in line with average MLB SP walk rate, and nothing we've seen suggests Strider has any control issues. As is usual with pitchers, improving his command as he loses velocity will be the key to remaining effective long-term (health notwithstanding)
Overall:
This is what everyone envisions every time someone says "he's such a great BP arm, I'd love to see him get the chance to start". It very rarely works out, but Strider has pulled it off. He very clearly has the stuff to be a TOR guy, and now that he's built up the stamina to throw 90+ pitches he's producing like one. Calling someone a "poor man's deGrom' is a massive compliment, and I think it's fitting here. And like deGrom, these high octane arms tend to burn out quickly, so enjoy the ride while the elbow/shoulder are intact.
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