In the realm of baseball, where every pitch can make or break a game, three starting pitchers have emerged as intriguing cases of improvement. Emerson Hancock, Gavin Williams, and Roki Sasaki have each undergone a transformation, gaining stuff and command, and in doing so, have become fascinating studies in the art of pitching. These players' journeys are not just about statistics; they are about the subtle nuances of the game, the mental fortitude required, and the strategic adjustments that can turn a struggling pitcher into a success story.
Emerson Hancock: The Sweeper's Tale
Emerson Hancock, once on the outside looking in for the Mariners' rotation, has become a standout performer. His Stuff+ rating, which measures the overall quality of his pitches, has jumped 12 points to 102 this season. The key to Hancock's success lies in his sweeping slider, which has seen a significant upgrade. This pitch, now with a 124 Stuff+, adds more than an inch of both vertical and horizontal movement, making it a nightmare for right-handed hitters. Hancock's sweeper is so effective that it induces weak contact, with a swinging-strike rate of 13.3% against righties. Interestingly, this pitch is more about generating weak contact than whiffs, which is a subtle yet crucial difference.
Hancock's command has also improved, particularly with his four-seam and sinker pitches. He has been throwing the sinker lower and in a more consistent horizontal location, leading to a 62.2% groundball rate. This improvement in command is evident in his Location+ rating, which measures the accuracy of his pitches. Hancock's ability to locate his pitches has led to better results, though not great ones, against left-handed hitters. The lower arm angle he has adopted seems to be a key factor in his improved command, making his fastballs harder to square up.
Gavin Williams: The Curve and Cutter's Dance
Gavin Williams, a pitcher who has historically struggled with command and control, has seen a remarkable turnaround. His ball rate has dropped to 32%, and his swinging-strike rate has increased to 13.6%. This has led to a career-best K-BB%, backed up by improvements in Stuff+ and Location+. Williams' curveball, always a strong pitch, has climbed to a 113 Stuff+, with above-average downward and horizontal movement. This pitch is lights out against right-handed hitters, allowing a mere .112 wOBA and .094 xwOBA. However, against lefties, it allows a .317 wOBA and .319 xwOBA, indicating a need for further refinement.
Williams' cutter, which has jumped 5 points to a 104 Stuff+, is now his best weapon against left-handed hitters. It induces weak contact, with a .132 wOBA and .227 xwOBA allowed. However, the sinker, a newer pitch for Williams, seems like the more notable of the two. He is throwing it more often against right-handed hitters, higher in the zone, and toward the inside corner, leading to a .279 wOBA and .399 xwOBA against righties. This high sinker, with plenty of arm-side run, is an unconventional pitch that induces weak contact.
Roki Sasaki: The Forkball's Enigma
Roki Sasaki, who missed most of the 2025 season due to a right shoulder impingement, has returned with above-average stuff. His splitter and forkball have both seen significant improvements in Stuff+, with the forkball, in particular, standing out. This pitch, softer than his splitter and with a 599 RPM spin rate, is almost like a knuckleball. Sasaki's forkball has a 105 Location+, indicating high-end command. He is throwing it over five inches higher in the zone and over 1.5 inches closer to the middle of the plate, making it a filthy pitch against right-handed hitters.
Sasaki's slider, which has seen an 11-point gain in Stuff+, is also a standout. It has a 104 Stuff+ and a 100 Location+, with plenty of downward movement. The slider has been leading his arsenal with a 18.8% swinging-strike rate and a .161 wOBA against right-handed hitters. However, Sasaki's four-seamer command has also improved, with a 118 Location+ in his four most recent outings. Unfortunately, opposing hitters still crush the heater, especially if it's left in the heart of the zone.
The Takeaway
These three pitchers, Hancock, Williams, and Sasaki, are fascinating studies in the art of pitching. Hancock's sweeper, Williams' curve and cutter, and Sasaki's forkball and slider are all above-average pitches, each with its own unique characteristics. Their improvements in command and stuff have led to better outcomes and aligning with expected metrics. These pitchers are not just about statistics; they are about the subtle nuances of the game, the mental fortitude required, and the strategic adjustments that can turn a struggling pitcher into a success story. If you are lucky enough to have one of these pitchers on your team, it's a hold. If not, it might be a good idea to try to buy, especially if their manager is still skeptical.
