Joe Blanton's fastball

[Docwaukee]

Fangraphs has a 'pitch value' stat.  Blanton's fastball is the worst in baseball this year according to this stat.

 

His cumulative total since 2009 is the 6th worst in baseball.  (Ervin is the worst)

Blanton's total this year is -14.7 which I think is measured in runs below average. 

 

Otherwise, his slider, curve, change and cutter are about average. 

 

He's thrown the fastball 32.3% of the time.  The most he's thrown it since 2009. 

 

Point being, he seems to get beat on his fastball disproportionately more than any other pitch. 

[tennischmp]

And keeps throwing it 32% of the time....

[nate]

Fatball*

[Caralho]

32 percent of the time for fastball? That sounds really low.

[SoWhat]

Part of that reason is Ianetta, he's really shitty at calling games.

[Brent Maguire]

His change up looks like his best pitch. It honestly couldn't hurt to throw that pitch about 40% of the time and see what happens. 

[YouthofToday]

He got the job done tonight. He doesn't bat after all.

[Mark68]

What was he throwing tonight? He probably should throw more of that.

[Brent Maguire]

What was he throwing tonight? He probably should throw more of that.

He actually threw his fastball more last night but his location was much better after those 2 HR.

[ettin]

32 percent of the time for fastball? That sounds really low.

 

It is fairly low for a starter. If you throw in that "cutter" he still is only throwing his fastballs at about a 43% clip which is still somewhat low. Jered Weaver has a variety of pitches but he still throws his fastballs at about a 58% rate.

 

I guess we should just be happy he's not throwing it more right?

[ettin]

What was he throwing tonight? He probably should throw more of that.

 

You should read the FanGraphs article I posted up in the other thread about the umpire last night. I think Blanton took advantage of the expanded strike zone.

[Chuckster70]

You should read the FanGraphs article I posted up in the other thread about the umpire last night. I think Blanton took advantage of the expanded strike zone.

 

That and he went up against the Mariners.

[Chuckster70]

Be that as it may, if Blanton keeps pitching like this we can actually get something at the deadline for him. A solid B prospect.

[Michifan]

I would think that a changeup without also throwing a fastball at least once in a while would lose its effectiveness. 

[The God of Runs]

Blanton should become a knuckleball pitcher.