What would Dylan Cease of the White Sox look like with a switchup?
What would Dylan Cease look like with a changeup? Original version: NBC Sports Chicago
As White Sox starter Dylan Cease told the media on Tuesday – when you’re at the top, your priorities shift during the offseason.
In winter and springs past, the 27-year-old pitcher had details to refine – like command and speed. MLB experienced a lockout in the offseason that lasted from December to February. A blockage was created by the difficulty of finding live at-bats, and prohibitive communication with coaches.
Now, after finishing as the runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award, Cease’s main priority this winter is to stay healthy and prepare his body to go longer – both in-game and in-season.
More innings and more games – the latter predicated upon hopefully a deep playoff run.
Cease stated that the greatest thing about Cease’s job is that there is less work to do. “The previous (offseason) season I had a lot to iron out. It is now that I believe rest and making sure my body can handle the long haul is more important.
There is always more to do. Cease would likely agree with that idea.
Yes, Cease’s last season had the best ERA (2.21), fifth-most strikeouts (227), and second-best WAR (2 wins above replacement). However, there’s always work to be done.
MLB did not see him as a fit for the AL All-Star Team.
Cease went on to detail some of the work he’ll do this offseason.
“I believe the most important thing that has changed is that I am starting my bullpen work later. However, I am still following the same path. Cease stated that although I am working on my changeup, it is still a work in progress.
RELATED: Cease details offseason plan after triumphant year
Cease briefly mentioned that “developing his pitch” will be a priority for the offseason. Cease currently has five pitches. arsenalHe only spins three of them, however, to his advantage.
In his case, the 4-seam fastball or slider was 96.9%. Curveballs (knucklecurve) were only 3%. He did not throw a changeup or sinker on less than three percent of his pitches.
What if Cease had a solid, powerful fourth pitch in the form a changeup
In December, Chuck Garfien, NBC Sports Chicago, asked Rob Friedman the exact question. Friedman was contemplating the possibility of a Cy Young-caliber player adding yet another pitch to his complex arrangement. This includes the arguably best slider and knucklecurve baseball has to offer.
“If he could go to another level, it would be a great help.” Friedman said on the White Sox Talk Podcast. “He is already clearly one of the top pitchers in major leagues. He would benefit from a changeup and command.
How far is he at resolving a change?
Friedman said, “He’s got one the weirder changeups of baseball.” “It’s this strange splitty. It pitches at an absurdly slow pace. Most people can see a difference of 8 miles per hour with changeups, but some people may see a greater difference. However, he is able to travel 20 miles per hour even if he is driving 20 miles per hour.
“It’s sort of like a cartoon pitch. It’s not like Gio. [Lucas Giolito]. He does this because it’s a Bugs Bunny-type thing that he does every now and again.”
Friedman is right in his assessment. Cease’s average fastball velocity was 96.8 mph last season. His changeup?
77.9 mph. This is a worthy candidate for the “Bugs Bunny” category.
Cease may have brushed aside the idea of adding a changeup to his set, but it’s an intriguing idea that will make him a more deadly and frightening pitcher.
According to Baseball SavantCease used his changeup 76x last season. He pitched a slider 1,338 innings. He struck out seven batters with his changeup and allowed the opposing batters to hit against it.364 with a run value 4.
His slider was used 42.9 percent of his time and he struck out 131 batters. His slider’s run value was a dreadful, head-shaking 36 by the end of the season.
It’s an unfair comparison to contrast the numbers between his slider – one of the most effective pitches in all of baseball – and his least used pitch. Cease has reached the threshold of his prime and it is time to dream bigger.
That gateway is key. An effective changeup. His highly anticipated slider was a potential smokescreen.