Seattle Mariners: What’s Eating Gilbert?
Emerging Weapon
His second most thrown pitch is the slider, 23.8%. Opponents are struggling to hit this pitch. Batting .196 and missing it 37.3% of the time. This pitch has the potential to be deadly for hitters. Right now, it’s still a work in progress. On average it’s clocking in at 82.7mph. However, in his last start it was up to just over 86mph. For comparison, his fastball is clocked at just under 96mph, the change just under 80mph and the curveball at 75.1mph.
My colleague Joe Swenson says having a pitch that can be in between the fastball and change is something Gilbert has been lacking. Because hitters can easily recognize the speed from a fastball to anything else coming in slower. However, having something that is in between will only enhance Gilbert’s repertoire.
Circling back to Gilbert’s last outing. His slider gave all the fans a glimpse of its future devastation. He threw it the most in any of his starts. Consequently, it resulted in it’s most effectiveness. Getting hitters to chase the pitch. For example, in his outing against Cleveland, he got six outs via the slider (four via strikeout) compared to 13 outs on the fastball (three via strikeout).
With how today’s pitchers are being taught to throw, fastballs high and breaking pitches low in the zone, having another pitch he can be confident in throwing for strikes is only beneficial. Maybe the next pitch he needs to work on his curveball. Having two breaking pitches that break differently will help keep the hitters off balance more.
Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners.