Appraising the return:
In the major leagues, the average four-seam fastball is 93.19 mph. But if a pitcher can top out at 95 mph or more, he can miss his target two or three times per start without any consequences.
However, if a starter has a below-average heater, control is critical. He has to hit the mark with 70 percent accuracy just to stick with the team. Ergo, 70 out of 100! But achieving 75-80 percent is the pinpoint control of, at least, a two- or-three-slot moundsman.
"WORDS OF WISDOM: “Trade-offs have been with us ever since the late unpleasantness in the Garden of Eden.” – Thomas Sowell"
In the organization, the three acquired flamethrowers are Vince Velasquez, Nick Pivetta, and righty Enyel De Los Santos. Translation: Velasquez was available because of his injury history, Pivetta still has control problems, and De Los Santos was 15th overall on the depth chart of the San Diego Padres.
The average velocity of four-seam fastballs:
- MLB average: 93.19 mph.
- Pivetta: 94.5 mph.
- De Los Santos: 94 mph.
- Velasquez: 93.86 mph.
- Eflin: 92.98 mph.
- Lively: 91.3 mph.
- Thompson: 91.03 mph.
- Eshelman: 90.5 mph.
- Eickhoff: 90.4 mph.
Regarding the starters who rely on accuracy, Ben Lively, Jake Thompson and Eshelman are in the mix for the bottom rungs of the five-man staff. On the other hand, Zach Eflin–at almost 93 mph–was available because of his bad knees.
Heading into his fourth summer with the red pinstripes, Jerad Eickhoff must have a solid command of his arsenal to bounce back to his 2016 form. As for Velasquez, should he be a bullpen piece or a rotation arm in his third campaign? The three-slot starter!