Three Starting Pitchers Who Gained Stuff and Command
In the world of fantasy baseball, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve and identify players who are on the rise. This week, we're taking a closer look at three starting pitchers who have made significant strides in their stuff and command, and we're here to help you decide whether to buy, sell, or hold them.
Emerson Hancock
Emerson Hancock, a pitcher for the Mariners, has been a revelation this season. After struggling in his previous three seasons with a single-digit K-BB%, Hancock has taken a leap forward, boasting a career-high 20.3% K-BB%. This improvement can be attributed to his enhanced stuff, particularly his sweeping slider, which now has a Stuff+ of 124, up from 104 last year. Hancock's slider has added more movement, both vertically and horizontally, and he's utilizing it more effectively against right-handed hitters, dropping his usage of the sinker by 12 percentage points.
Hancock's command has also improved, especially with his four-seam and sinker pitches. He's been throwing the sinker lower and in a more consistent horizontal location, resulting in a 62.2% groundball rate, up from 50.7% last season. The four-seam, too, has seen better command, with Hancock throwing it from a lower arm angle, making it harder for batters to square up.
What's particularly intriguing is Hancock's ability to induce weak contact. His sweeper, a pitch that sits low and away from right-handed hitters, has a .144 wOBA and a .122 xwOBA, indicating its effectiveness in generating weak contact. Hancock's improved stuff and command make him a pitcher to hold onto, especially if you're lucky enough to have him on your roster.
Gavin Williams
Gavin Williams, a pitcher for the Guardians, has also made significant strides this season. His command and control have improved, resulting in a 32% ball rate, up from his career-high 36%. Williams' swinging-strike rate has increased to 13.6%, contributing to a career-best K-BB% of 21.1%.
Williams' curveball has been a standout pitch, with a Stuff+ of 113, up from 87, 104, and 109 in the last three years. It features above-average downward and horizontal movement, making it particularly effective against right-handed hitters, who have a .112 wOBA and a .094 xwOBA against it. However, left-handed hitters have crushed it with a .317 wOBA and a .319 xwOBA.
Williams' four-seamer has also improved, with a Stuff+ of 104, up from an average rating. It relies on arm-side run rather than induced vertical break, but it continues to struggle against both right- and left-handed hitters. The sinker, a newer pitch for Williams, has been effective in generating weak contact, allowing a .279 wOBA and a .399 xwOBA to righties.
Williams' improved stuff and command make him a pitcher to consider buying high, especially if you're looking to improve your team's overall performance.
Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki, a pitcher for the Dodgers, has also shown significant improvement this season. After a right shoulder impingement in 2025, Sasaki is now showcasing above-average stuff, with a Stuff+ of 104, up from 91. His three primary pitches have all increased in Stuff+, with a notable 22-point increase on the splitter, which now has a Stuff+ of 123. Sasaki has also introduced a forkball with a Stuff+ of 137, a softer pitch with a low spin rate, making it hard to compare to other pitches.
Sasaki's splitter and forkball have excellent command, with high Location+ grades, and he's been throwing the forkball higher in the zone and closer to the middle of the plate. His slider has also improved, with an 18-point jump in Location+, and it's become a filthy pitch against right-handed hitters.
Sasaki's four-seamer command has also improved, with a 118 Location+ in his recent outings, up from 83 last year. However, opposing hitters continue to crush the heater, especially if it's left in the heart of the zone. Sasaki's improved stuff and command make him a pitcher to consider chasing, especially if you're looking to add a strong arm to your rotation.
In conclusion, these three pitchers have shown significant improvement in their stuff and command, making them valuable additions to any fantasy baseball team. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or hold, these pitchers are definitely worth considering.
