Blue Jays Opposing Pitcher Report: Tyler Skaggs

On Thursday, June 20, the Blue Jays open their road trip with a series against the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels will send Tyler Skaggs to the mound while the Blue Jays will counter with Aaron Sanchez.

The Blue Jays played Tyler Skaggs in their last series against the Halos. The big left-hander pitched five complete innings, allowed three earned runs, and struck out twelve batters. Ultimately the Angels won the game by a score of 5-4.

After he played in Toronto, the lefty had a bit of a blow-up, allowing five earned runs over five innings against the Tigers. However, since that poor start, he has been excellent, allowing just one earned run in three games, and 20 complete innings. In total, he has pitched to a 0.45 ERA in his last three games.

Skaggs had excellent number coming into his last time at Toronto. These numbers have only improved, posting a 2.81 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 1.225 WHIP, and a great 143 ERA+. Overall, he has been worth 1.7 fWAR.

The left-hander offers four different pitches, but he relies heavily on his four seam fastball and curveball. However, in order to offer a full assortment of pitches, he also features a sinker and a change-up.

More from Jays Journal

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

The Angels starter loves his four seamer, firing it home 41% of the time this season. The fastball maintains decent velocity, averaging 92.31 mph—as well as featuring good glove side run. The heater has produced the most strikeouts, 37, and walks, 11, for the left-hander. As well, it has been responsible for six home runs, the most of all of his pitches.

The curveball has been used by the left-hander 30.1% of the time this season. The hook maintains excellent movement, both sweeping and dropping out of the zone. As a result, the breaking ball has produced whiffs at a decent rate of 28.5% of swings. The curve has managed a crazy amount of ground balls, posting a rate of 70% of balls in play.

Skaggs has offered a sinking fastball 15.7% of the time this season. The sinker has produced ground balls at an great rate of 50% of balls in play. However, it has been responsible for five walks and just three punch-outs.

The left-handed hurler completes his offerings with a change-up 11.8% of the time. The change is a great swing and miss pitch, producing whiffs on 33.77% of swings. However, somewhat curiously, the off speed pitch has been responsible for line drives on 40.74% of balls in play.

While he has produced ground balls at a good rate of 47.5%, he has been hit hard. This season the young starter has been responsible for a hard hit rate of 36.5%. As well, his soft contact percentage sits at just 12.3%. These are not safe numbers for a pitcher to own.

Although the Blue Jays didn’t beat Skaggs last time, they still have excellent numbers against the left-hander. Russell Martin and Yangervis Solarte have two hits in three at-bats. As well, Devon Travis has two hits in five at-bats against the California native. Kevin Pillar has struggled, though, managing just one hit in eight at-bats against the Angels starter.

The Blue Jays look to start their road trip on a happy note against Tyler Skaggs. As well, Aaron Sanchez will look to continue to build on his last strong start. As an interesting aside, Aaron Sanchez owns a 2.98 ERA in the month of June.

Next: The impact of luck and injuries