And would you look at that! Richards has not only added to his fastball, but all of his pitches. Increased spin rate isn’t equally good for all pitches(some pitches, like splitters get better as spin decreases) but with fastballs and breaking balls more spin is definitely good for more whiffs. Spin rate is less important for changeups but given the extreme screwbally nature of Richards’ changeup I think this increased spin is a plus. In fact, his average spin rate of 2375 on his changeup is the highest in baseball for that pitch. It really is a special pitch and he might have somehow found another level for it.

His curveball has seen an impressive increase in spin rate this year and I think that speaks to the positive tweaks he made in the offseason. His curve is coming in a tick slower and with an extra couple inches of drop. We’ve yet to see that translate into more whiffs but it’s been his second best pitch this year and I think more whiffs will come.

Something that should not be missed is the spin rates gains in his fastball. It now has average spin which might not sound too great but his spin was below average last year and his fastball was bad. This spin rate increase explains the increase in whiffs he’s seen on the pitch and if he can locate the pitch at the top of the zone those whiffs should continue.

Conclusion

Even though we are only two starts into Richards’ 2019 season there is a lot to like with the changes he made in the offseason. Richards now has a 4th pitch that, while a work in progress, is distinct in interesting ways from his elite changeup. Richards still will rely heavily on his changeup this year as it remains one of the nastiest pitches in baseball and allows him to succeed against righties and lefties. Finally, the changes in spin rate to his fastball and curveball looks like it might have altered both pitches for the better. I’m not yet convinced that the fastball is a good pitch but it should be better than last year and the fact that he is throwing it considerably less than last year bodes well for his success. The curveball on the other hand looks like it could be significantly better. He’s shown great command with it at the bottom of the zone and the increased spin has given it more life.

None of these changes jump off the page but taken all together I think Trevor Richards will take a sizable step forward and be a top 40 pitcher that will go through an order three times and get league average strikeout numbers.

What to watch for