Part 4/10:
Using the Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen as a case study, we observe that multiple pitchers logged high appearance numbers during the regular season: Hunter Gattis (78 appearances), Tim Heron (75 appearances), and Kade Smith (74 appearances). Each of these arms exceeded the ideal sweet spot of 65 to 68 appearances, raising concerns over their effectiveness in the crucial playoff games to come.
Metrics of Fatigue: What to Look For
When analyzing player performance and fatigue, specific metrics provide critical insights. Among these metrics are:
Velocity of Fastballs: A drop in velocity often indicates fatigue, signaling a pitcher's diminishing ability to perform.
Spin Rate: Similar to velocity, changes in spin rate can affect how batters interact with their pitches.