Ryan Helsley

Clocking in at 88.25 mph, Helsley’s changeup is faster than some pitchers’ fastballs, but it’s still 9 mph slower than his main pitch. He barely used this pitch in 2019 though, only throwing it 3.12% of the time.

Helsey’s curveball clocked in at an average speed of 81.03 mph, but would occasionally dip into the mid-70s to give him a nearly 25 mph difference between his fastest and slowest pitches. His K/9 numbers were down in the majors, dropping to 7.85 from 9.88 in AAA last year, but with that much of a speed discrepancy paired with improving control, that could turn back around.

Helsley’s fastball is the 17th fastest in the majors, clocking in at an average velocity of 97.78 mph. He’s struggled with control throughout the minors, but actually managed to cut his BB/9 rate down from 4.82 during his time in AAA to 2.95 in the majors.

Helsey’s slider is far and away his primary offspeed offering, deploying it 31% of the time more than three times as often as his number three pitch, his curveball. Paired with his monster fastball, this pitch could lead to a lot of swinging strikes as he continues to become more comfortable on the big stage.