ESPN's Jeff Passan calls Guardians left-hander Parker Messick an “anomaly”: his 94 mph fastball accounts for more than 40% of his pitches, versus MLB averages of 94.6 mph and about 30% usage. Messick has a 2.55 ERA as Cleveland nears a postseason berth.
Messick is 12-9 with 191 strikeouts in 183.1 innings and 6.2 bWAR. Passan also calls Milwaukee right-hander Logan Henderson an “anomaly”; his fastball averages 93.1 mph. Passan cited both pitchers' exceptional control as a factor in their ability to dominate despite slower fastballs. Cleveland is close to clinching a playoff spot, with the AL Central title or a Wild Card berth still in play.
