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Colorado Rockies: StatCast notes on some of the Rockies

ByNoah Yingling|
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies is doused by his teammates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies is doused by his teammates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Before today’s game, MLB.com’s StatCast released some interesting notes on the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks before the Wild Card Game tonight.

MLB.com’s StatCast released some intriguing numbers about some of the players that will see some action in tonight’s Wild Card Game.

StatCast on Jon Gray

Jon Gray’s slider and curveball have collectively yielded a .242 slugging percentage over 186 at-bats, which is sixth best in baseball.

Lowest SLG% allowed on breaking balls, SP, 2017 (http://atmlb.com/2fvreg8) with a minimum of 150 at-bats ending on curves/sliders

1. Corey Kluber: .149

2. Charlie Morton: .224

3. Max Scherzer: .239

4. Carlos Carrasco: .234

5. Dinelson Lamet: .239

6. Jon Gray: .242

Also, they have not been hard hit as just 81 balls have been put in play against Gray’s curve and slider this year. Just 13 reached Statcast’s 95-mph baseline for hard contact, giving him one of the lowest rates in the game by percentage.

Lowest hard-hit% allowed on breaking balls, SP, 2017 (http://atmlb.com/2fupOSX) Min. 50 batted balls ending on curves/sliders

1. Jimmy Nelson: 15.5%

2. Jon Gray: 16.1%

3. Ian Kennedy: 16.2%

4. Jeremy Hellickson: 17.0%

5. Jhoulys Chacin: 19.6%

In addition, in Gray’s three matchups with the D-backs this year, Arizona went a combined 7-for-44 (.159) with 22 strikeouts against his breaking pitches. However, the D’Backs are 11-for-26 (.423) off his four-seam fastball.

Notes on Greg Holland

Greg Holland’s slider has been on of the best in baseball this season. By opponent batting average, StatCast notes this.

Lowest BA allowed vs. sliders, 2017 (http://atmlb.com/2x29uUV) Min. 100 at-bats

1. Andrew Miller: .094

2. Brad Hand: .104

3. Max Scherzer: .124

4. Ken Giles: .134

5. Roberto Osuna: .135

6-T. Greg Holland: .137

6-T. Edubray Ramos: .137

They also split his season on his slider. In August, of course, his struggles were well documented but his slider has actually rebounded to be better than before.

Holland’s slider

April-July

August

September

BA allowed

.108 (8-74)

.286 (8-28)

.045 (1-22)

SLG allowed

.108

.679

.045

XBH allowed

0

2 2B, 3 HR

0

Whiffs/swing%

53.3%

34.0%

44.4%

StatCast on Carlos Gonzalez‘s September

Carlos Gonzalez did not play well from April to August. However, he had a stellar September. He hit .377/.484/.766 with six home runs and 12 doubles in the month. He has also been crushing the ball as they note.

"His hard-hit rate of 56.6 percent — representing how often his exit velocity is 95 mph or higher — ranked third in September among 217 hitters with at least 50 batted balls."

However, J.D. Martinez of the D’Backs is second on that list.

Highest hard-hit % (batted balls hit 95+ mph), September (http://atmlb.com/2x29Vyh) Min. 50 batted balls

1. Aaron Judge: 59.0%

2. J.D. Martinez: 56.9%

3. Carlos Gonzalez: 56.6%

4. Josh Donaldson: 54.9%

5. Joe Mauer: 54.7%

StatCast on breaking balls

The Diamondbacks have four pitchers, including Zack Greinke, that rank in the top 20 in the highest swing percentage on breaking balls in the lower third of the strike zone or below.

Highest swing % induced on breaking balls in lower-third and below, SP, 2017 (http://atmlb.com/2yxvCmo) Min. 400 breaking balls thrown in lower-third and below as a SP 1. Lance McCullers: 57.5%

2. Corey Kluber: 56.2%

3. Aaron Nola: 55.2%

4. Zack Godley: 53.5%

5. Chris Archer: 53.4% …

11. Zack Greinke: 50.1% …

13. Patrick Corbin: 49.0% …

20. Robbie Ray: 46.8%

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However, the Rockies have two of the top five hitters in this category.

Highest BA against breaking balls in lower-third of zone and below, 2017 (http://atmlb.com/2yzEibP) Min. 50 ABs decided on breaking balls in lower-third and below

1. DJ LeMahieu: .341

2. Melky Cabrera: .338

3. Charlie Blackmon: .330

4. Justin Bour: .300

5. Jose Peraza: .295

Next: Yesterday, Jon Gray had some thoughts on the Wild Card game

When you’ve got the best going against the best, it could mean some game plans are changed. It will be interesting to see if they do.

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