Chris Bassitt: Unlocking Potential Through Pitch Selection

A deep dive.

Chris Bassitt stands at an interesting crossroads in his career. While maintaining his effectiveness against right-handed hitters (RHH), he's experienced a gradual decline in performance against left-handed hitters (LHH). This platoon split presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the veteran pitcher, particularly as he enters a contract year.

The Paradox of Pitch Selection

What makes Bassitt's case particularly intriguing is the apparent disconnect between his pitch usage and effectiveness. According to Statcast projections, his four-seam fastball (4S) shows significantly better results against LHH with a .266 xwOBA, while his sinker struggles with a concerning .434 xwOBA. Yet, contrary to what these numbers suggest, Bassitt has consistently decreased his four-seam usage against lefties while increasing his reliance on the sinker.

This pattern becomes even more striking when we consider that Bassitt's last season of platoon neutrality coincided with his highest usage of four-seam fastballs against LHH. The correlation here isn't likely coincidental.

Arsenal Analysis

Bassitt's repertoire actually contains several weapons that could be particularly effective against left-handed hitters:

- His curveball grades out at an impressive 117 stuff+

- His sweeper shows strong potential with a 112 stuff+

- His cutter demonstrates above-average location metrics

These pitch grades suggest that Bassitt has the tools to neutralize left-handed hitters. The question then becomes: why hasn't he optimized his pitch mix to leverage these strengths?

The Comfort Zone Conundrum

Pitchers often fall into patterns based on comfort and perceived command rather than actual effectiveness. Bassitt's preference for throwing sinkers to LHH likely stems from his comfort with the pitch and his confidence in commanding it. However, this highlights a common pitfall among pitchers – the reluctance to utilize pitches they believe they command less well, even when those pitches might be more effective.

A Blueprint for Improvement

To help Bassitt return to platoon neutrality, three interconnected adjustments could make a significant difference:

1. Reduce sinker usage against LHH

2. Increase curveball deployment

3. Reintegrate the four-seam fastball against lefties

Specifically, reallocating approximately 40% of his sinker usage to a combination of cutters and four-seamers could yield substantial improvements. While Bassitt has historically pitched off his various fastballs, this adjustment wouldn't require a complete overhaul of his approach – just a strategic redistribution of his pitch mix.

Long-Term Outlook

Several factors suggest Bassitt could maintain effectiveness well into the future. His success isn't velocity-dependent – he's never ranked above the 54th percentile in fastball velocity – and his command remains strong, sitting in the 81st percentile for walk rate. Moreover, his diverse arsenal provides solutions for various hitter types, suggesting that with optimized usage, he could extend his productive years significantly.

Financial Implications

The timing for these adjustments couldn't be better as Bassitt enters a contract year. For context, Max Fried recently secured a contract worth $27 million annually following a 3.5 WAR season. If Bassitt can recapture his effectiveness against left-handed hitters, a 4.0 WAR season isn't out of the question, potentially positioning him for a similar payday.

Conclusion

Chris Bassitt exemplifies how even successful pitchers can have blind spots in their approach. While his overall results remain solid, the data suggests clear pathways to improvement, particularly against left-handed hitters. By embracing these adjustments – primarily through optimized pitch selection – Bassitt could not only enhance his immediate effectiveness but also extend his career as a top-tier starter. As he enters a crucial contract year, these relatively straightforward changes could have significant implications for both his performance and his future earnings.

John