The Analytical Yankee Fan

Wang pitched an absolute gem this afternoon, blanking the Tampa Bay Rays over 6 innings. He gave up three hits, while striking out six and walking two.

He seems to have developed into exactly what I thought he could develop into, a complete pitcher

Wang Last Season- He would throw his sinking fastball inside to right-handed hitters, and away from left-handed hitters. He would spot his new-and-improved slider to both sides of the plate. Once in a blue moon, he would throw a below average change-up.

What Wang Has Done This Season- He’s throwing four-seam fastballs inside to lefties, and also starting his sinker at their hip, and letting it run back over the plate.

He’s throwing his sinker off the plate to right-handed hitters, letting it leak back over the plate–while still throwing it in at their knees.

He’s elevating a four-seam fastball in the zone for strikeouts and pop-ups

He continues to throw his slider to both sides of the plate

Best of all, he has added a nasty split-fingered fastball which looks EXACTLY like the sinker out of his hand, and has improved his change-up to the point where, so far, it looks like a plus pitch. I saw him use the change-up for both a first pitch strike today, and a strikeout. I also saw him use his splitter for the strikeout.

In my opinion, the days of Wang being a fake ace, or a pseudo-ace are over. Say hello to the new Super Wang.