Ken Giles, Toronto Blue Jays
2018 fWAR: 0.8
2019 fWAR (so far): 1.1
It took a little while, but Giles is back to his dominating ways. After posting a 35.7% strikeout rate in 2016 for the Houston Astros, that number decreased each of the two following years (33.6% in ’17, 25.0% in ’18).
Until this year, as it’s currently up at 40.5% with a 19.8% swinging-strike rate.
The reliever is allowing hard contact at a 37.8% rate with a 42.2% fly-ball rate, but he’s also paired it with a 15.8% infield-fly rate. Based on what he’s done since the 2016 season, it looks like he got back to what’s mostly worked from the standpoint of his pitch mix.
Giles’ slider is where he’s getting the majority of his strikeouts (54.8% rate) and overall success (15 wRC+ against) from. He’s also enjoyed pitching at home since he’s yet to allow an earned run in 10.2 innings. The same can be said about his month of May, as he’s been untouched for 8.1 frames entering Thursday’s games.
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