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"James Paxton is a Top-15 pitcher in baseball, but Yankee fans would have you believe he's barely a step above J.A. Happ.
Respect James Paxton, watch him be great." - @GregBirdRBW 2020
Couldn't agree more, here is why @James_Paxton should stay a @Yankees (a thread)
Respect James Paxton, watch him be great." - @GregBirdRBW 2020
Couldn't agree more, here is why @James_Paxton should stay a @Yankees (a thread)
Reason 1: We know what he is capable of.
Big Maple was our best pitcher at the end of 2019 + Postseason. Damn near unhittable.
For his career he has a DRA- of 77. That's 23% better than league average he has pitched as a whole.
Big Maple was our best pitcher at the end of 2019 + Postseason. Damn near unhittable.
For his career he has a DRA- of 77. That's 23% better than league average he has pitched as a whole.
He should be returning back to form soon. Velocity and spin rate continue to improve, and he's having better starts.
Don't let the fact that he's regaining his strength, and didn't have much time to prepare for the 2020 season distract you from the fact that he's still good.
Don't let the fact that he's regaining his strength, and didn't have much time to prepare for the 2020 season distract you from the fact that he's still good.
Reason 2: High strikeouts little walks.
Big Maple is 8th in K% since 2018; he's struck out 30.6% of the batter's he faced! Thats better than Jack Flaherty, Shane Bieber, Walker Buehler, and Stephen Strasburg.
He has elite company all around in the top 10.
Big Maple is 8th in K% since 2018; he's struck out 30.6% of the batter's he faced! Thats better than Jack Flaherty, Shane Bieber, Walker Buehler, and Stephen Strasburg.
He has elite company all around in the top 10.
He ranks 10th in swing and miss strikes since 2018 (14.1 SwStr%).
By keeping Paxton our rotation, we would have 2 pitchers in the top 10 for swing and miss strikes in Paxton and, you guessed it, G-Cole who is on the list at number 4 (15.3 SwStr%)
By keeping Paxton our rotation, we would have 2 pitchers in the top 10 for swing and miss strikes in Paxton and, you guessed it, G-Cole who is on the list at number 4 (15.3 SwStr%)
He's also 33rd in highest BB%:
7.4% is above average as far as not walking people goes lol. You gotta love a man that throws strikes
7.4% is above average as far as not walking people goes lol. You gotta love a man that throws strikes
Reason 3: Predictive Stats love Big Maple.
SIERA, pCRA, and cFIP are the most predictive stats.
Since 2018, Paxton has the 9th best SIERA amongst qualified starters at 3.45
That puts him between two aces in Strasburg and Corbin.
SIERA, pCRA, and cFIP are the most predictive stats.
Since 2018, Paxton has the 9th best SIERA amongst qualified starters at 3.45
That puts him between two aces in Strasburg and Corbin.
For the last 3 years, his pCRA has hovered around the 3s. Which looks good.
2018: 3.34
2019: 3.70
2020: 3.55
I think even for 2020 Paxton has pitched better than his actual ERA suggest.
2018: 3.34
2019: 3.70
2020: 3.55
I think even for 2020 Paxton has pitched better than his actual ERA suggest.
For reference, here are the pCRAs for other starters in 2020 so far as of 10:17 AM EST.
Patrick Corbin: 3.51
Lance Lynn: 3.52
Kyle Hendricks: 3.58
Zack Greinke: 3.60
Patrick Corbin: 3.51
Lance Lynn: 3.52
Kyle Hendricks: 3.58
Zack Greinke: 3.60
Career cFIP: 88
12% above league average.
The guy has been great his whole career. And there aren't signs of physical regression even though injuries have held him back. When healthy though, Paxton is as scary as any other ace in the game. He's an ace!
12% above league average.
The guy has been great his whole career. And there aren't signs of physical regression even though injuries have held him back. When healthy though, Paxton is as scary as any other ace in the game. He's an ace!
Reason 4: Mileage on the arm.
This is the main thing that makes me want the @Yankees to focus on Paxton for an extension, even if it means losing Tanaka. And believe me, I fucking adore Tanaka.
Most scouts prefer for guys to start pitching later for less stress on the arm.
This is the main thing that makes me want the @Yankees to focus on Paxton for an extension, even if it means losing Tanaka. And believe me, I fucking adore Tanaka.
Most scouts prefer for guys to start pitching later for less stress on the arm.
Even though Big Maple is 31 years old, he hasn't thrown that many innings in the majors. In a way you can say: "there's not a lot of mileage on that arm." Which is a good thing! It means Paxton won't regress anytime soon and I want the @Yankees to use all of that damn mileage!
Reason 5: Matt Blake
He's already helped Paxton regain some spin rate and velocity. I want to see how him and Blake continue to work together to achieve consistent dominance. Overall, I'm loving this pair.
He's already helped Paxton regain some spin rate and velocity. I want to see how him and Blake continue to work together to achieve consistent dominance. Overall, I'm loving this pair.
Finally Reason 6: His Character!
This man is the embodiment of chill. He gave no fucks when an Eagle was on his back, and always stone cold on the mound. Could be up or down a dozen runs and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference with Big Maple's temperament. He's so cool!
This man is the embodiment of chill. He gave no fucks when an Eagle was on his back, and always stone cold on the mound. Could be up or down a dozen runs and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference with Big Maple's temperament. He's so cool!
He's shown his support for social justice movements like BLM as well, which makes him a fucking king off the mound too. He's on @itsmrstealyour_'s list of "Baseball players" who are not cavemen when it comes to politics lol. https://twitter.com/itsmrstealyour_/status/1095372985169596416?s=19
Thanks to @GregBirdRBW & @itsmrstealyour_ for helping me with the info that I need 
Hopefully more Yankee fans appreciate what they have in a player like Paxton regardless of what happens today. Our team is 1000% better with him, and it'd be foolish to let him go.
Hopefully more Yankee fans appreciate what they have in a player like Paxton regardless of what happens today. Our team is 1000% better with him, and it'd be foolish to let him go.
