Kolarek dramatically scaled back his changeup usage, dropping to 9% compared to 22.2% in 2018. It was great to se he maintained his increased velocity from 2018 at 81.41 mph, up more than 3 mph from his rookie season.
Kolarek dramatically shifted his pitching arsenal for the second season in a row, this time introducing an 89.26 mph sinker. It essentially replaced his four seam fastball with a 70.7%/10.6% split, and it helped him induce a 66.3% ground-ball rate. However, he lost his magic touch from 2018 when he didn’t give up a single home run the entire season, jumping up to a 1.15 HR/9 rate.
Kolarek threw his slider less often in 2019 than he did in 2018 — just 9.49% in 2019 from 14.1% in 2018. He threw it about 2 mph slower too, averaging 76.86 mph – still a solid 7+ mph faster than his rookie season, when he threw a 69.5 mph slider.
Most don’t distinguish between Kolarek’s sinker and fastball, but there is a noticeable shift in velocity and arm slot delivery. Both pitches have shown as effective and accurate. Between the two, he’s managed a 5% walk rate and a 14% K-rate. Unfortunately, that also comes with a .279 BAA.
With 12 inches of horizontal movement, Kolarek’s changeup looks the part of a top offspeed offering. However, its results in 2018 were middling at best, with a .328 wOBA against and minimal swing-and-miss ability
Kolarek’s slider rates poorly by most metrics. Its 9.9 SwStr% is well below the MLB average, while its 23.8% O-swing shows that hitters have an easy time laying off the pitch. Fortunately, with a sub-14% usage rate, Kolarek doesn’t rely heavily on his slider’s success.
Most don’t distinguish between Kolarek’s sinker and fastball, but there is a noticeable shift in velocity and arm slot delivery. Both pitches have shown as effective and accurate. Between the two, he’s managed a 5% walk rate and a 14% K-rate. Unfortunately, that also comes with a .279 BAA.
