2020 MLB season: five Pitchers to Watch for
2020 MLB season: 5 Pitchers to Watch for
Jack Flaherty, St. Louis Cardinals
It may seem like an evasive maneuver to proclaim a third-year pitcher that had a WAR of 6 (baseball reference) in 2019, as someone to keep your eye out for this season. Well obviously, he was one of the most impressive arms in the league last season. However, what I am attempting to say here is that Jack Flaherty is on course to be one of the best pitchers in the sport during the 2020 MLB season.
The Burbank-born right-handed hurler always had a great amount of talent. Simply by watching his composure and pitch sequence, one could see that he had the makings of an exceptional starter. Which he proved last season.
However, despite some spurts of absolute greatness, the Cardinals ace lacked consistency, the one aspect one needs to establish himself among the best in the league.
In 2018, he surpassed the 150 innings mark. In 2019, he fell just below 200 innings total. Over those innings, he was able to impressively lower his walks per nine ratio – by a staggering full point – while maintaining the same ratio of strikeouts per nine and batting average on balls in play.
Therefore, he was successful in spades in terms of limiting walks and produced a hardly shabby 2.75 ERA and 3.46 FIP. Also, he demonstrated a marked improvement in durability, as he lasted to give a full slate of 33 starts.
It should be noted that over a player’s first few seasons he is continuously building up his arm, as they cannot possibly compile enough innings in their minor league careers, especially under the duress of major league lineups. It cannot be replicated, therefore the adjustment period typically lasts a few seasons.
Flaherty seems to have navigated this period very well, boasting two very impressive seasons. Yet, 2020 might see a totally different output, as with two seasons behind him, he can now take the next step in his career path, bounding with possibility.
A relatively average start to the season, in which length was an obstacle, came to a head with a disastrous June. During this fateful month, the right-hander surrendered 9 home runs and held a 7.01 ERA. However, from this point on his monthly ERA never rose above 3, with the final two months standing firmly below 1.
He found consistency in the second half of the season and there is no reason why he should be unable to carry such thriving success over to 2020.