Looking to improve after a disappointing 2017 season, Phillies pitcher Jerad Eickhoff is toying with a new changeup in spring training.
When Jerad Eickhoff was at his best with the Phillies in 2016, he primarily relied on his fastball and curveball. He threw his fastball nearly 53% of the time and used his curveball, his best pitch, 24.2% of the time. His curveball usage increased even more in 2017 to nearly a third of the time.
One pitch in Eickhoff’s arsenal he neglected was his changeup, especially last season. He threw just 15 all year. It was his worst pitch with a corrected pitch value of -3.25.
Eickhoff would struggle to differentiate velocity between his fastball and changeup, making it easier to hit. Even though his arm slot was pretty much the same, there wasn’t enough separation to make it a worthwhile pitch.
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Matt Gelb of the Athletic ($) writes that Eickhoff is using a new grip on his changeup this season, using four fingers, almost like a palmball. Eickhoff said that the grip isn’t mean to induce a huge bite like other pitcher’s; rather it is meant to slow it down just enough to make hitters miss.
During Sunday’s start against the Blue Jays, Eickhoff threw five or six changeups over his 2.2 innings according to Gelb.
A scout from another National League team at Sunday’s game told Gelb that Eickhoff’s changeup was his best pitch that day.
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While Eickhoff used his fastball half of the time last year, it wasn’t a great pitch for him. Its average velocity fell as the season progressed, averaging just 89.33 miles per hour in August. In was worth -12.5 runs per Fangraphs, 16th-worst among pitchers with 120 or more innings.
Eickhoff will need his secondary pitches to improve drastically if his fastball doesn’t return to 2015-16 form. A fastball-curve combo doesn’t work if the fastball is easy to hit. Being able to fool hitters with his changeup would allow his fastball to play up some.
If he can find a useful changeup and improve his fastball, he should take a significant step forward this season.
Next: Phillies 2018 season preview: Prospect Cole Irvin
Without any free agent signings, Eickhoff will have to carry much of the load in the rotation. An improved changeup would make that much easier.