Three observations: Move over fastball, hello sinker?
Three observations from the Pirates' 14-10 loss to the Phillies here today at LECOM Park:
• Braxton Ashcraft continued his volume buildup by pitching into the fourth inning and punched out five batters while walking none over three completed innings today. There were a few runs allowed in there, but an overall productive day for a guy who emphasized turning to his sinker and spinning the ball well. That sinker was utilized 15% of the time last year, his fourth-most utilized pitch. He turned to it 20 times today, with a decent amount of righties in the Phillies lineup, and was around the zone with it a good bit. To me, it served as a nice complement to the slider, which generated six whiffs. Maybe that pitch could be used as much as the fastball this year? Regardless, Ashcraft has multiple weapons in his back pocket to operate as a more unpredictable arm.
• As per usual, Isaac Mattson was efficient without overpowering guys, though he did average around 95 mph with his fastball. He allowed his first hit of the spring and struck out a batter in a scoreless fifth inning. He looks to be in a good spot with the heater and appears ready to once again serve in high-leverage spot this season.
• That nine-run fourth inning for the Phillies was rough to watch. That was probably expected, though, considering BrandonCain is new to pitching and JoshuaLoeschorn doesn't have more than one appearance above Class A. It was encouraging to see some of the young guns homer. Derek Berg, Omar Alfonzo and Yordany De Los Santos each left the yard. Two of those guys -- Alfonzo and De Los Santos -- are among the organization's top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. Both in their early 20s. Maybe future pieces if they can swing the bats well on a consistent basis in meaningful games.
THE ASYLUM
Three observations: Move over fastball, hello sinker?
Three observations from the Pirates' 14-10 loss to the Phillies here today at LECOM Park:
• Braxton Ashcraft continued his volume buildup by pitching into the fourth inning and punched out five batters while walking none over three completed innings today. There were a few runs allowed in there, but an overall productive day for a guy who emphasized turning to his sinker and spinning the ball well. That sinker was utilized 15% of the time last year, his fourth-most utilized pitch. He turned to it 20 times today, with a decent amount of righties in the Phillies lineup, and was around the zone with it a good bit. To me, it served as a nice complement to the slider, which generated six whiffs. Maybe that pitch could be used as much as the fastball this year? Regardless, Ashcraft has multiple weapons in his back pocket to operate as a more unpredictable arm.
• As per usual, Isaac Mattson was efficient without overpowering guys, though he did average around 95 mph with his fastball. He allowed his first hit of the spring and struck out a batter in a scoreless fifth inning. He looks to be in a good spot with the heater and appears ready to once again serve in high-leverage spot this season.
• That nine-run fourth inning for the Phillies was rough to watch. That was probably expected, though, considering Brandon Cain is new to pitching and Joshua Loeschorn doesn't have more than one appearance above Class A. It was encouraging to see some of the young guns homer. Derek Berg, Omar Alfonzo and Yordany De Los Santos each left the yard. Two of those guys -- Alfonzo and De Los Santos -- are among the organization's top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. Both in their early 20s. Maybe future pieces if they can swing the bats well on a consistent basis in meaningful games.
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