STARTERS: Very early command sub-indicator surgers, 2021

It's still way too early to put significant stock into early-season skills, especially aggregate measures like strikeouts and walks. But looking into the components that drive them can be a helpful early-season exercise, since they represent larger sample sizes.

First, these SP have posted a big increase in their swinging strike rate from 2020 to 2021:

  • Swinging Strike Rate (SwK%) - 2021 YTD vs. 2020*
    
    Name                 League  SwK% '21  SwK% '20  Diff
    ===================  ======  ========  ========  =====
    May, Dustin              NL     14.1%      7.8%  +6.3%
    Javier, Cristian         AL     12.8%      8.1%  +4.7%
    Burnes, Corbin           NL     19.4%     14.8%  +4.6%
    Alcantara, Sandy         NL     14.0%     10.4%  +3.6%
    Walker,...

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

Jack Flaherty's inconsistency can be traced to some deep struggles after he goes through a lineup once during a game.
Jun 28 2025 3:05am
Bryce Elder's marginal overall skills are hiding some impactful components when he pitches with the bases empty.
Jun 21 2025 3:10am
Max Meyer has looked like two different pitchers during his home and road starts.
Jun 14 2025 3:05am
Sandy Alcantara's rough post-injury stats have been driven by some deep struggles against lefty bats.
Jun 7 2025 3:05am
Ben Brown's ugly surface stats in May hid some excellent underlying skills.
May 31 2025 3:09am

Tools