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Nathan Eovaldi 2020 Outlook: Hoping for Bounceback to 2018 Form
Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi threw 67.2 unsuccessful innings last year while battling injury, but he showed the same dynamic stuff which led him to a K% jump between 2018 and 2019. In 2018, Eovaldi used his cutter to get ahead and then set up his 97-98 MPH fastball up as a put-away pitch. While battling injury in 2019, Eovaldi cut back on his cutter usage and in favor of his curve, which had a 41.1 Whiff% but has only been a marginally successful pitch for him throughout his career. If he can get back to using the cutter more and then pair that with the high fastball and his improved curve, there's no reason he can't repeat 2018 with an ERA under 4.00 and a K/9 north of eight while pitching for a team that should put him in a good position for wins. Plus, if new Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom brings his old Tampa Bay philosophy of the opener to Boston, Eovaldi would be the perfect pitcher to use as a "Follower," throwing five innings to limit his overall wear-and-tear and still be in line for victories. Eovaldi's lengthy injury history makes him an incredibly risky pick, but where he's going in drafts means you're essentially investing nothing and can move on easily if he falters.
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