2020 MLB season: five Pitchers to Watch for
2020 MLB season: 5 Pitchers to Watch for
Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers
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The Milwaukee right-hander hurled 121 innings in 2019 and earned an All-Star appearance due to a breakthrough first half. However, this momentum became stifled with a strained oblique sustained on a July 21 start, which sidelined him until mid-September.
Brandon Woodruff is currently primed to sit atop the Brewers rotation to begin 2020, yet it is beyond plausible to project him to be among the best in the National League if he is able to maintain his health. His arm became somewhat “stretched-out” in 2019, as he ramped up his innings total from 42 in 2018 to 121 in 2019. Such, a rapid increase could lead to fatigue and in some cases, such as this, injury.
He predominantly relies upon a four-seam fastball – occupying 64% of his pitches thrown in 2019 – with a slider and change-up serving as his main secondary pitches. He also utilizes a curveball, infrequently, as the pitch is still under work.
His four-seamer averages out at slightly over 96 mph, but it can top out in the 98 mph range. In 2019, he verged towards a high ERA, in stints, as he sometimes lacked consistency. One of the main sources of this inconsistency was the lack of change-up control, which was taken advantage of when improperly delivered.
The slider and fastball worked well in tandem, yet as he continues to develop stamina as a starting pitcher it would seem logical that he would continue to hone his less refined pitches, as well.
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Therefore, he can take a very good season, although somewhat limited in 2019, and turn it into a full-throttle success during the 2020 MLB season.