RADIO
Zach Plesac 2021 Outlook: Ready To Back Up Short-Season Breakout
4 years agoCleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac took a big leap forward in his sophomore season posting a 2.28 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings. The right-hander may have been a tad lucky as his FIP (3.39) and xFIP (3.50) were both a full run higher than his ERA. A look under the hood, however, reveals a starter who may be on the verge of a full-season breakout. Plesac posted a strong 27.7 percent strikeout rate and induced swinging strikes on 14.5 percent of his pitches, both improvements over his rookie year. Most importantly, he stopped issuing free-passes, cutting his walk rate over 5.5 percent from 2019. Despite the small sample, there is evidence to support Plesac's sharp improvement. He cut his four-seamer usage by 13 percent and started throwing more sliders and changeups, superior pitches in Plesac's arsenal. The slider generated a superb 42.7 percent swinging-strike rate and had just a .069 batting average against. His changeup allowed a .125 batting average against and was the primary factor in Plesac's improved numbers versus left-handed batters. He's a tad risky since his breakout came in the shortened-season, but a pitcher with Plesac's upside should be drafted in the top-60 picks of fantasy drafts.
