Is It Time To Worry About Dallas Keuchel?

Dallas Keuchel was considered the best pitcher in the American League in 2015, but he doesn’t look like the same pitcher in 2016. In 2015, he threw 232 innings, with a 2.48 ERA, 216 strikeouts (8.39 per 9 innings), 51 walks (1.98 per 9 innings), and a 20-8 record. So far in 2016, he has thrown 50 innings, with a 5.58 ERA, 42 strikeouts (7.56 per 9 innings), 22 walks (3.96 per 9 innings), and a 2-5 record. Based on these statistics, there is a clear problem. So is it time to start worrying about this decline in Keuchel’s production?

When diving into the analytics of his velocity, pitch selection, and pitch location, there are a few red flags. The first red flag is the significant drop in his velocity. In 2015, his four-seam fastball averaged 89.6 MPH, his two-seam fastball averaged 89.5 MPH, and his cut-fastball averaged 86.3 MPH. In 2016, he is averaging 88.4 MPH with his four-seam, 88.2 MPH with his two-seam, and 85.5 MPH with his cut-fastball.

 

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Houston, We Have A Problem and His Name Is Carlos Gomez

Last year the Houston Astros traded for Carlos Gomez with the hopes that he would bolster their offense for a playoff push. This trade included top prospects, Brett Phillips, Domingo Santana, Josh Hader, and Adrian Houser for Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers on July 30th, 2015. Since that date, Carlos Gomez has done nothing but disappoint Astros fans. You can’t blame the Astros’ front office for this move considering Gomez was a star prior to his arrival in Houston.

 

Before joining the Astros, Gomez spent six years with the Milwaukee Brewers. In his last three seasons with the Brewers, he had a .276 BA, 66 home runs (22 per season), 197 RBIs (65 per season), 247 runs (82 per season), and 111 stolen bases (37 per season). Since joining the Astros, he has played 68 games, with a .228 BA, 4 home runs (average of 9 per season), 17 RBIs (average of 40 per season), 25 runs (average of 60 per season), and 12 stolen bases (average of 29 per season). Since the start of 2016, he is striking out 33% of the time and only walking 3.9% of the time, compared to a career strikeout rate of 22.7% and a walk rate of 5.7%. Based on these frightening statistics, it could be time for the Houston Astros to bench Gomez or even send him packing.

 

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What Is Wrong With Houston Astros’ Pitcher, Ken Giles?

The Houston Astros acquired young flamethrower, Ken Giles, from the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason. The Astros paid a king’s ransom for Giles considering they gave up top prospect, Vincent Velazquez, former #1 overall pick, Mark Appel, Brett Oberholtzer, and Thomas Eshelman. Giles’ cost was so high because of his young age, success, and his team control for the next 4 years. Unfortunately for the Astros, this trade hasn’t quite worked out as people expected. Giles continues to struggle, Velazquez continues to shine, and Mark Appel seems to be back on track.

Following the trade, the Astros were expected to name Giles the opening day closer over the previous closer, Luke Gregerson. Well, the unexpected happened during spring training. Giles struggled to get people out and the Astros decided to name Gregerson the opening closer for 2016. Many Astros’ fans believed this was going to be temporary, considering the Astros paid so much for 25 year old closer, but this situation doesn’t seem to be temporary anymore. Through 8.2 innings pitched in 2016, Giles has a 8.31 ERA, 2 losses, 13 hits given up, 3 walks, and 12 strikeouts. The start of the season is not Giles-esque considering in his first two seasons with the Phillies, he threw 115.2 innings, with a 1.56 ERA, 84 hits given up, 151 strikeouts, 36 walks, and 16 saves. So that brings up the question every Astros fan and fantasy baseball owner is asking, what is wrong with Ken Giles?

 

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