Toronto Blue Jays 2020 Report Cards: Ross Stripling

Jays Journal contributors will be authoring Toronto Blue Jays report cards based on how each player performed in 2020. In this edition, we take a look at Ross Stripling.

At the trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays adding some pitching depth by acquiring Ross Stripling from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Kendall Williams.

Stripling brought over pitching versatility as he had tremendous experience both starting and relieving, something that the front office looks for in pitchers if you look at their previous moves.

With the Blue Jays, Stripling pitched in five games (two starts) going 0-2 with a 6.32 E.R.A. and an opponent average of .286 along with a save. On the season as a whole, he was 3-3 with an E.R.A. of 5.84 and an opponent average of .281.

Stripling’s arsenal

Striping has the ability to throw five pitches. A fastball (43.6%), curveball (23.9%), changeup (17.3%), slider (14.8%) and sinker (0.4%).

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Off his fastball, he gave up hits at a .333 clip with his slider at a clip of .368. His expected batting average (XBA) off his fastball was .343 while his XBA off his slider was .324.

His most effective pitch was his changeup which he threw primarily against lefties. Opposing batters batted .174 off Stripling’s changeup and it seemed to be his strikeout pitch as he recorded 18 strikeouts with that pitch.

Opposing hitters hit the ball off Stripling at an average exit velocity of 91.2 MPH which was among the bottom 7% of the league (in a negative way). Along with that, Stripling’s XBA was .298, among the bottom 5% of the league and his expected slugging percentage (XSLG) was .549 which ranked in the bottom 4% of pitchers in the league.

Grade

Stripling did not have a good year as he struggled in all aspects. This could have just been a down year as Stripling is typically a good pitcher.

In each season he’s been in the big leagues since 2016, he’s posted an E.R.A. under 4.00 while shifting from the bullpen and rotation continuously.

Despite his poor performance in 2020, he’s expected to be a key part of the Jays pitching staff in 2021 and beyond.

Final grade: D