Mason Black RHP. DOB: 12/10/1999. 6' 3", 230 lbs. Drafted 2021 Round 3.
2024(AAA): 5-6, 4.59, 84.1 IP, 9.28 K/9, 4.16 BB/9.
2024(MLB): 1-5, 6.44, 36.1 IP, 7.68 K/9, 3.72 BB/9.
Black had a rough introduction to the major leagues in 2024 but did have a couple of really good starts. Looking at his pitch selection and values on Fangraphs, he was exclusively sinker-slider in 2023 and added a 4 seam FB in 2024 which produced a pitch mix of 1/3 each 4-seam, sinker, slider. Interestingly the 4-seam was his least effective pitch. His average velocity for both the 4-seam and sinker were about 92.5 MPH. He also threw a changeup but less than 5% of pitches. Projections like him a lot better for 2025 with ERA's in the mid-4's. Look for him to tweak his pitch mix in spring training and start the season on AAA. He still has 2 options years. He may need to develop the changeup more if he wants to remain a SP.
Diamondbacks Re-Sign Randal Grichuk.
ReplyDeleteone-year deal with a mutual option for 2026. It’s reportedly a $5MM guarantee for the Excel Sports Management client, broken up into a $2MM salary, followed by a $3MM buyout on a $5MM mutual option. He can also earn another $500K via incentives: $250K for getting to 200 plate appearances and another $250K for getting to 275. There’s also a one-time $250K assignment bonus if Grichuk is traded. The club had a 40-man roster vacancy and doesn’t need to make a corresponding move.
MLBTR
I would probably rather see what Encarnacion/Matos/Luciano can do with whatever role Grichuk would play for the Giants.
DeleteMy opinion is that Grichuk (or Anthony Rizzo, for that matter) would not have helped because the stats from last few seasons were inflated by playing home games in Coors and Chase Fields and there was extreme home/away split. Grichuk is more helpful to a team like Arizona or Colorado than to a sea level team.
DeleteI agree. Luciano has 1 option left. Same with Matos and Encarnacion? Excited to see what Matos does after his great winter ball season.
DeleteApparently that's what Buster prefers also, but it may not sit well with the DO-SOMETHING fans.
DeleteWe can hope Encarnación/Matos/Luciano get good, hard, prolonged looks in the Spring, and not just say rely on AAA for Matos & Luciano who each have one option left.
Encarnación with no options has to "make it" in Spring Training. The projections on Fangraphs (FGDC, Steamer, ZiPS) aren't encouraging especially how downgraded they are on defense.
ZiPS gives Encarnación a fairly good grade offensively for just 100 games, especially for power which would project to 25 HRs over a full season.
Most of the people in my circle are not do-something fans. Signing someone like Grichuck or Rizzo would not get them excited.
DeleteI would like to see Black go 6 to 7 innings per start this season
ReplyDelete