Tom Verducci

Well, he's definitely getting pitched differently in two different ways.

He's seeing many fewer pitches in the strike zone, which probably is a function, too, of the lineup not being as deep around him.

And he's also seeing a lot more spin.

I mean, Vlad just has that reputation for being a fantastic fastball hitter.

I mean, he's a great hitter, period.

I get it.

But we're seeing this happen around the game.

I've seen it happen to Gunnar Henderson this year.

Um, people are not going to give in with fastballs at all to the great hitters.

So he's seeing a much higher percentage of breaking balls this year and he's doing less with them.

And that could be a function of chasing a little bit more, being a little more anxious of trying to, you know, I don't want to say start rescuing his numbers, but trying to pick up the offense because you know, he wears it.

He has a great responsibility to the team and he wears that responsibility really well.

but you sometimes can try to do too much.

So I would say, yes, he's seeing fewer pitches in the zone, and he's seeing a lot more spin.

There's no question, and I do think it's happened that quickly.

Gunnar Henderson, Rookie of the Year just three years ago, his first year, he saw four-seam fastball like one out of every three pitches.

Now, just three years later, it's one out of every four or five.

And he's seen a lot more spin.

And as a hitter now, you're seeing such a different menu of pitches from pitchers.

86% of all starting pitchers have at least five pitches.