Can the Atlanta Braves Fix Mike Foltynewicz
By Fred Owens
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (48) throws a pitch in the second inning of the spring training game against the Detroit Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Something in the way he moves?
Some on here suggest that his pitches lack movement so lets take a look. Here’s a series of charts created with data from Texas Leaguers showing movement for similar pitchers. See if you can pick out which one is Folty. Once again you may have to double click these to read them.
Four Seam Fastballs
Two Seam Fastballs
Curve
Change
Slider – note that one pitcher in the comparison group doesn’t use a slider so there are only three in this chart.
And the MLB averages
The pitchers in order are
- Foltynewicz
- Jacob deGrom
- Noah Syndergaard
- Jose Fernandez
All of these pitchers has similar spin, spin angle and movement in both planes for their pitches, only his slider lies outside the norm It lacks movement in both planes keeping his slider flat and up in the zone. He used that pitch sparingly – he threw only threw 200, about 13% of his pitches – all season. The rest of them move fine just not to the right place.
That’s A Wrap
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think 15 major league starts for a 23 year old rookie is insuffucent to make a decision about his future when he’s the only power arm close to being ready in the Braves system.
Closest to Folty in size and pitches used in deGrom. Both are listed at 6’4″, 200 pounds and were drafted in 2010 but deGrom is four years older than the Braves righty and that translates to a lot more experience
Foltynewicz may well end up in the bullpen but he could also become a nice two or three starter if giving the right kind of help to correct his issues. Maybe it’s his release point, arm angle or grip but whatever the cause, the slider isn’t working right now so he needs to shelve that and work on the change and getting the his curve and sinker down.
Maybe a split would be more effective for him, he has big hands and enough of a downward plane to make it work pretty well. Whatever they decide to do, it would be in the Braves best interests to go back to basics and help him regain his confidence. Right now he’s a one and one half pitch pitcher and that’s not good enough.
Next: Call off the search party, we found Toscano
When he left high school and before Houston’s old pitcher development system started fixing him, he had two pitches and the possibility of a third. The Braves need to find that guy again and get him back on track. His stuff has the most near term potential and the rotation needs the help. That’s our take, what’s yours?
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