Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Career Strikeout Rate: 19.4%
2018 Strikeout Rate: 23.3%
2019 Strikeout Rate (so far): 30.6%
Holland’s 2018 performance with the Giants was noteworthy because that 23.3% strikeout rate was a new career high. It was only the third time that number eclipsed 20.0% in his career, and the first time it happened since 2013 with the Texas Rangers.
This has been a trend since producing a career-low 14.5% strikeout rate in 2016, though. The number crept up to 16.6% in ’17 before getting to 23.3% last year, and Holland certainly looks poised to set yet another career-high mark. Another noticeable trend since 2017 has been a consistent increase in slider usage and a consistent decrease in curveball usage.
However, the veteran has also gotten better results from his four-seamer. After seeing opposing hitters post a 185 wRC+ against it in 2017, that number went down to 122 last year and is currently 82. Now, if he can get his homers allowed per nine innings (2.00) and walk rate (11.7%) under control, he’ll really be in business.
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