SPECULATOR: Snap judgments, 2023
Apr 19 2023
Some might say it's too early, but pitchers can change fast and this is the time to pounce.
By looking at per-pitch metrics like fastball velocity and swinging-strike rate (both available on Playerlink pages as Vel and SwK, respectively), we can pick up on early signs of a breakout… or of looming disaster.
Last week's exercise used Quality of Batted Ball (QBaB) data to make some snap hitter judgments; we'll go back to that well with pitchers for 2023, asking ourselves the following question:
If this early performance is real, what might it look like over a full season?
***
Higher velocity, more whiffs
Pitchers with three starts and a 1% jump in swinging-strike rate + fastball velocity gains
FBVel ...
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 Speculator
Using our Quality of Batted Ball (QBaB) metric to make some speculative hitter snap judgments.
Apr 8 2026 3:06am
Apr 8 2026 3:06am
Baseball is back, and it's time to overreact... because what else are we supposed to do?
Apr 1 2026 3:08am
Apr 1 2026 3:08am
Our Opening Day Eve tradition speculating on the top category producers who went late in drafts.
Mar 25 2026 3:07am
Mar 25 2026 3:07am
If history is any guide, this year's end-of-season Top 15 will come from all stages of the draft.
Mar 18 2026 3:08am
Mar 18 2026 3:08am
What lessons can we apply from Drew Rasmussen's 2025 breakout to this year's player pool?
Mar 11 2026 8:36am
Mar 11 2026 8:36am
