Title: Kansas City Royals Eye Injured Pitcher Michael Wacha as Potential Starter
Date: [Insert Date]
The Kansas City Royals are setting their sights on pitcher Michael Wacha as a potential addition to their starting rotation, undeterred by his injury history. The team’s interest lies particularly in Wacha’s exceptional ability to limit walks, boasting a minuscule walk rate of just 6% in 2022 and 7.8% in 2023.
What makes Wacha an enticing prospect for the Royals is his mastery of the changeup, a pitch that has boggled opponents and enabled him to maintain a competitive edge on the mound. This reliable pitch, which Wacha throws for strikes more often than not, has proven difficult for opponents to square up against. In fact, the 2023 season saw Wacha rely on his changeup more than any other pitch, with a staggering usage rate of 34.5%.
When facing Wacha’s changeup, opponents struggled to connect, mustering a paltry .207 batting average and a .346 slugging percentage. Furthermore, the average exit velocity against this deceptive pitch registered at a modest 84.6 mph, indicative of how hitters struggled with timing and generating solid contact.
One of the most impressive statistics surrounding Wacha’s changeup is its remarkable 35.9% whiff rate. This means that over a third of the time batters swung at this pitch, they missed entirely, further underscoring its effectiveness as a weapon in Wacha’s arsenal.
Despite past injuries potentially raising some concerns, the Kansas City Royals recognize the potential value that Wacha brings to their team. With his exceptional ability to limit walks and command his changeup, Wacha could prove to be a valuable asset to the Royals’ pitching staff, injecting the much-needed variety and skill required to compete at the highest level.
As the Royals continue to explore their options for the upcoming season, their pursuit of Michael Wacha highlights their determination to bolster their pitching rotation and reclaim their position as contenders. The team remains optimistic about his potential contributions, putting their faith in his ability to bounce back and deliver on the promise of his exceptional pitching prowess.
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