Very early command sub-indicator surgers, 2025

It's still risky 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.

These starting pitchers have increased their swinging strike rates the most from 2024 to 2025 (min 20 IP each season):

  20242025Δ
NameLgSwK%FpK%Ball%SwK%FpK%Ball%SwK%FpK%Ball%
Max MeyerNL10.3%60%38%15.4%61%34%5.1%1%-4%
Luis L. OrtizAL8.9%61%35%13.1%63%35%4.2%3%0%
Jameson TaillonNL8.5%66%34%12.6%75%33%4.1%9%-1%
Justin VerlanderNL9.2%58%35%13.2%66%35%4.0%7%0%
Kyle FreelandNL7.9%66%33%11.7%66%29%3.8%0%-4%
Cristopher SanchezNL11.3%66%32%15.1%71%34%3.8%5%2%
Gavin WilliamsAL10.4%63%36%14.0%51%37%

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

Ben Brown's mediocre surface stats are hiding some intriguing skills.
May 17 2025 3:05am
The improved velocity and history of pinpoint control shown by Zebby Matthews makes him an ideal early stash in deep leagues.
May 10 2025 3:07am
Joe Ryan's rotation-anchor stats in April were backed by an elite collection of skills.
May 3 2025 3:06am
Merrill Kelly's rough early results are driven by a shaky skill base that's not showing any signs of life.
Apr 19 2025 3:07am
Justin Verlander's poor early stats seemingly validate his worrisome 2025 outlook, but his electric command sub-indicators point to a buying opportunity.
Apr 12 2025 3:07am

Tools