Hard to believe Collin McHugh hasn’t been signed yet. As a starter from 2014-2017, he posted 10.3 fWAR over 606.1 IP; thats #2 starter production (29th in the league over that time). Then as a reliever in 2018 he posted 1.4 fWAR, 26th best in the league among RP. He wasn’t quite as great last season, but he still put up 9.8 k/9. I expected him to get a 2 year deal, so I’m really surprised to see him still on the market this close to the start of spring training.
His arm can't last a whole season, and he's lost 5-7 mph on his fastball. His secondary pitches that he worked hard on (slider) ended up suffering from arm slot consistency and he was basically tipping once enough video material was out there. His curveball is still elite, but it will have to be complemented by at least one other pitch... and at this time, that's the biggest question mark.
That all makes sense, but even if he’s just the guy he was last season (injury and HR prone, 4.34 xFIP), he’s still worth a major league deal.
He's not lost close to 5 MPH off his fastball. He's lost some rising action, but the big thing is that he no longer can hide it behind an elite breaking ball. His slider works best at a lower slot than he throws his fastball such that it doesn't hide the fastball. From the higher slot, his curveball was horrid last year to the point he rarely threw it after April. Batters hit 0.357 off it with a 0.571 slugging off his curveball last season. McHugh is a one pitch pitcher, and that pitch is the slider.
I don’t think he’s a fit for Houston unless there’s another injury (although depending on price I think he might be better than Pruitt). I’m just surprised no other team (Orioles??) has signed him.
This. He’s worth the gamble. If he’s close to league average, a rebuilding team can flip him for prospects around the deadline. That, and he’s a solid vet to have on the staff for young teams. He has value at a position that’s a pretty dire need across the sport.
A rebuilding team is better off playing prospects to see what they have. a contending team is better off with sure things. the only team that would really fit is a team that’s not a contender yet, but has a chance to compete if everything falls right. all that being said, McHugh will need more than one pitch to be an MLB pitcher again.
The Orioles have spoken with the agent for McHugh several times. I don't remember where I read it, but it was reputable. FWIW it was in an article about the Orioles beginning to rebuild their international scouting department and their philosophy will be to throw 100K at a lot of players instead of sign one or two big name players in the draft.
Here is some good trolling material. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are now on the sidelines dealing with injuries. Right handed starter Domingo German was likely going to be in the rotation. He has been suspended until June for domestic violence. Left-hander James Paxton has undergone back surgery and like German, he is not expected back until May or June. Right-hander Luis Severino has undergone Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and will probably be sidelined for more than a year. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernie...ss-to-new-york-yankees-pitchers/#74a24c0a3b16
Man, I loved Cole while he was here and if he had gone anywhere else but the Yankees (Or Dodgers I guesS) I'd be rooting for him. Now though...F that guy...a little bit. I do appreciate his stance on the sign stealing thing, so it's not a complete middle finger... But yeah, pre-season and he was sick so this outing means nothing at all.