Read on Twitter
THREAD
So I wrote yesterday that #Mets RHP Sean Reid-Foley's FB is anything but plus. From a velocity + movement POV that's definitely accurate.
But digging deeper — SRF has one of the flattest vertical approach angles, up there with Diaz, deGrom, and May among the best. (1/6)
So I wrote yesterday that #Mets RHP Sean Reid-Foley's FB is anything but plus. From a velocity + movement POV that's definitely accurate.
But digging deeper — SRF has one of the flattest vertical approach angles, up there with Diaz, deGrom, and May among the best. (1/6)
What does that mean? Essentially, Reid-Foley's fastball crosses the plate at a much shallower angle than expected, causing batters to swing under it.
Unsurprisingly, Reid-Foley had a very good whiff rate on his fastball in 2020, finishing in the 85th percentile (30.8%).
(2/6)
Unsurprisingly, Reid-Foley had a very good whiff rate on his fastball in 2020, finishing in the 85th percentile (30.8%).
(2/6)
Fun comparison. Since 2018, whiff rate on elevated fastballs (zones 1, 2, 3, 11, 12):
Reid-Foley: 35.9 percent
deGrom: 35.4 percent
SRF ≠ the best pitcher on the planet of course, but it shows how a flat FB angle has helped them. Trevor May (47.4% !!) is best, btw.
(3/6)
Reid-Foley: 35.9 percent
deGrom: 35.4 percent
SRF ≠ the best pitcher on the planet of course, but it shows how a flat FB angle has helped them. Trevor May (47.4% !!) is best, btw.
(3/6)
Reid-Foley does a good job of using his flat VAA to his advantage, with exactly two-thirds of his FBs thrown up in the zone.
VAA is a major reason why guys are able to get by with low-90s fastballs. If they're flat and located well, they'll get whiffs.
(4/6)
VAA is a major reason why guys are able to get by with low-90s fastballs. If they're flat and located well, they'll get whiffs.
(4/6)
Reid-Foley has his flaws, namely a 14.5% walk rate in the majors (479th out of 484 since 2018).
But combine his interesting fastball with a slider that allows almost no damage (.284 xWOBACon, 3° LA) and he could give you something out of the bullpen.
(5/6)
But combine his interesting fastball with a slider that allows almost no damage (.284 xWOBACon, 3° LA) and he could give you something out of the bullpen.
(5/6)
This is a very bare-bones pitching analysis but a bunch of recent/current #Mets have exhibited these fastball characteristics:
deGrom, Diaz, May, Barnes, Sewald, Robles, Montero, Bashlor, Drew Smith, to name a few.
We'll see where Reid-Foley ends up on that spectrum.
(6/6)
deGrom, Diaz, May, Barnes, Sewald, Robles, Montero, Bashlor, Drew Smith, to name a few.
We'll see where Reid-Foley ends up on that spectrum.
(6/6)
