D.J. Short: Logan Webb is looking like real deal

D.J. Short goes over what has made SP Logan Webb so effective in 2021 for the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants after a rough few years in The Show.

Video Transcript

DJ SHORT: Pretty much everything has gone right for the NL West-leading Giants this season. And right hander Logan Webb has been an important part at getting them there. After posting a rough 5.36 ERA over 19 starts and two relief appearances in the majors between 2019 and 2020, Webb has broken out with 292 ERA across 17 starts and one relief appearance this season.

He's also managed to increase his strikeout rate while lowering his walk rate. As of Wednesday, August 18, Webb holds a 1.64 ERA in 11 starts dating back to May 11. That's the lowest among all pitchers with at least 60 innings pitched during that time.

Webb has enjoyed this breakout in part because of the dramatic change in his pitch mix. He's greatly reduced the number of four seamers he throws while leaning more on his sinker and slider. As a result, his ground ball rate sits among the league leaders, and his slider has been a key with pitch for him. Webb is looking like the real deal, and the baseball world might get to know him a lot better during the postseason. So stay tuned.