Heading to spring training with something new 🖖👀
Heading to spring training with something new 🖖👀
Day 1 Vibes☝️
Arsenal is definitely much improved 📈🖖
Splitter continues to get better and sat nice and easy 90-91 👀 for reference two years ago on his last day of the spring:
88.5 mph avg
92.5 mph peak
Splitter will definitely play and the sinker is gross 👀
I really like them, it helps me to know when a new one is out because sometimes Apple is weird about the podcasts
Thank you! I wasn’t even getting the free previews but I unfollowed it and then used the RSS link to get it back! I appreciate it! Saw the emails this week then didn’t see anything and completely forgot to look again
I haven’t seen anything since Dec 20 but all the episodes are there on Spotify
Any idea why the podcasts haven’t been showing up in Apple Podcasts?
Value Added
-WAR: 0.5 ➡️ 0.6
-Dollars: $4.1M ➡️ $5.1M
Key Takeaway
The improvements weren’t driven by reinventing the arsenal, but by having better execution, location and more velo!l These changes enhanced his two of his superpowers: the sinker and his pitchability
Overall Arsenal Grades
-Stuff+: 99 ➡️ 102
-Location+: 104 ➡️ 105
-Pitching+: 98 ➡️ 106
Slider Whiff%
13.3 ➡️ 32.9
This jump highlights how improved miss locations can create harder swing decisions for hitters and lead to more whiffs
Sinker Improvements
-Avg Velo: 94.8 ➡️ 95.2 MPH
-Whiff%: 8.8 ➡️ 10.9
-Induced Vertical Break (iVB): 6.2 ➡️ 4.2
-Stuff+: 98 ➡️ 105
The sinker improvement was mainly focused on gaining more velo and creating more depth by losing a little spin efficiency and gaining more seam shifted wake
After a strong 2025 season from Brenan Hanifee, let’s take a closer look at what improved from 2024 ➡️ 2025.
Max Ursenbach
Max brought in a well rounded arsenal, so the focus was boosting pitch quality and adding another pitch
Arsenal Changes
-Added more depth to the CB
-Increased carry on the 4S
-Introduced a cutter as a bridge pitch
Arsenal Changes
-Increased separation between his 4S and 2S fastballs
-Shifted to a one seam changeup to add depth
-Added depth and glove side movement to the CB
Gavin Pittman
Gavin already had a solid pitch foundation. His work centered on refining shapes and making intentional and meaningful improvements
Arsenal Changes
-Switched from a CH to a splitter to kill velocity and add depth
-Added depth and glove side break to the SL
-Improved separation between the 4S and 2S fastballs
Ben Jackson
Ben entered the fall with velocity being a strength for him. So, the focus was on creating better separation between his fastballs and sharpening his secondary pitches
SVU Arsenal Reconstruction Final Part: Freshman POs
Arsenal Changes
-Added depth to the breaking ball
-Improved the consistency and shape of the changeup
-Added a 2-seam to pair with the 4-seam
🎖️ Highlight: Watching the CB shape improve and immediately produce in game whiffs
James Horsley
James arrived with the ability to attack the zone and the priority became finding ways for him to finish hitters by improving his secondary pitches
🎖️ Highlight: The changeup is gross and has become a true weapon against both lefties and righties
Arsenal Changes
-Added more carry to the 4S by getting behind the ball
-Sacrificed a bit of CB depth to add velocity and make it firmer
-Switched to a kick change which created greater separation off the 4S
-Added a cutter to give him a harder breaking weapon
SVU Arsenal Reconstruction Part 5: Freshman 2-Ways
TJ Peterson
TJ came in with a higher slot that gave him solid carry on the 4-seam and depth on the curveball. The main focus for him this fall was improving the changeup and exploring adding a 2-seam or cutter option