Jeff Hoffman

Hoffman only threw a slider 11 times in 2019, accounting for less than 1% of his total output. The pitch had average depth and got 33% less break than the major-league average.

Thrown 11.4% of the time in 2019, Hoffman’s changeup averaged around 84 mph and averaged 12% more depth than the average major-league changeup, while getting 19% less break. His changeup usage was slightly down from the 13.9% that he used it in 2018. The drop in use could be because the pitch allowed a .600 BA against it in 2018, and considering the .481 BAA it allowed in 2019, another drop might be considered.

Hoffman’s curveball averaged 77 mph in 2019, getting average drop and 12% more break than the average major-league curve. He threw his hook 29% of the time, inducing a 12.3% swinging-strike rate and only allowing a 4.1% barrel rate. His most effective weapon – with a 40.9% K rate – the curve was more dominant against fellow right-handers, with the pitch allowing zero barrels and a 15.2% SwStr%.

The four-seamer was used 58.7% of the time in 2019, averaging 93.7 mph and getting below-average depth, but 58% more break than the major-league average. Unfortunately, much of that advantage is mitigated by Coors, as the fastball’s break decreases by 21% when thrown at home.

The velocity on Hoffman’s primary offering dropped nearly two points from 2017 and lost most of its effectiveness and control, registering a 20.8 BB% (10.6% in 2017) and a bare-bones 4.2 K% (14.5% in 2017) with a .417 AVG against.

Hoffman’s secondary pitch was essentially a neutral pitch in 2018 according to pVal, but it was incredibly effective at limiting power by registering a .000 ISO and a 75 GB%. It was a solid out pich with a 12.5 SwStr%, 18,2 K%, 32.1 O-swing%.

Another near-neutral pVal pitch in Hoffman’s arsenal, it was hit pretty hard in a small sample in 2018. It was good for a .600 AVG and a .400 ISO, but also has the makings of a potential Money Pitch with a 57.1 O-swing%, 13 SwStr%, and a 39.1 Zone%. Perhaps a larger sample size might bear out its true potential.

Thrown only 20 times, Hoffman’s big breaking curveball is his most devastating pitch. It registered a .000 ISO, and an 86 wRC+. Perhaps it has a real future a strikeout pitch; it registered an incredible 66.7 K% and a 20.0 SwStr% in what is an admittedly small sample size.