Exploring the Arsenal will run prior to each game, providing you with a brief scouting report on the starting pitcher expected to oppose the Pirates. The chart below shows the horizontal and vertical movement of every pitch thrown by that particular pitcher in 2012. This chart is from the catcher’s point of view. Click here for a general guide to pitch types and classifications. Graphs are courtesy of Brooks Baseball and The Hardball Times , unless otherwise specified. Statistics are courtesy of FanGraphs .
Monday, 7:05 PM – Kyle Lohse
| 2012 | |
|---|---|
| IP | 169.0 |
| K/PA | 15.1% |
| BB/PA | 4.7% |
| HR/9 | 0.75 |
| GB% | 41.2% |
| Whiff% | 15.6% |
| ERA | 2.61 |
| FIP | 3.58 |
Lohse is a right-hander who has produced excellent results the past two years despite very hittable stuff. He throws a sinker that sits in the 88-91 range and gets up to 92 MPH at times. His 78-82 MPH circle change is probably his best offering, as it is his only pitch that generates a whiff rate near league average. The rest of his pitches are regularly put into play. In fact, in 688 batters faced in 2012, his sinker has only generated about 27 swings-and-misses. It also does not produce as many ground balls as one would expect from a sinker. Lohse mixes in an 81-85 MPH slider and a slow curve around 73-75 MPH. The curve has historically been extremely hittable, but he has missed more bats with it in 2012. Even with that improvement, both breaking pitches still generate below average whiff rates. Lohse pounds the strike zone, and has had success the past couple years by posting one of the lowest walk rates in baseball.
