(*) STARTERS: Early Surprises
Apr 29 2012
Many starting pitchers have fared better than expected in the early going.
Some of these surprises come with strong skill support. Others are flukes.
Identifying the flukes before their results regress can help you avoid bad stats.
Likewise, holding on to guys whose quick starts come with skill support can help you build your starting rotation for the long-haul.
Let's take a look at both groups.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Bruce Chen (LHP, KC) has a 2.52 ERA and 0.92 WHIP after 25 IP. It'd be easy to dismiss this as a small sample size fluke. But he has been a legit command artist so far: 6.1 Dom, 1.4 Ctl, 34% GB%, 83 BPV. We can't expect any more Dom than what he is showing now, given his 86.1 mph average fastball velocity. He's also...
Almost!
You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!
Already a subscriber? Sign in here
More From Starting Pitchers
Sean Manaea's ugly August ERA hid an impressive foundation of skills that could lead him to a much better showing in September.
Aug 30 2025 3:09am
Aug 30 2025 3:09am
Shane Baz's volatility can be traced back to some significant struggles against lefty bats.
Aug 23 2025 3:09am
Aug 23 2025 3:09am
Andrew Abbott's shiny surface stats are hiding a shaky foundation of skills when he pitches at home.
Aug 16 2025 3:09am
Aug 16 2025 3:09am
Cristopher Sanchez's elite second half results have been driven by similarly elite underlying skills.
Aug 9 2025 3:09am
Aug 9 2025 3:09am
Chase Burns had the filthiest stuff of any starting pitcher in the game in July.
Aug 2 2025 3:07am
Aug 2 2025 3:07am
