Edwin Díaz Tests New Changeup in Latest Appearance

Introduction

PITTSBURGH — New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz has been a powerhouse with his fastball/slider combination throughout his tenure with the Mets. However, during a recent outing against the Atlanta Braves, he introduced a new weapon: a changeup.

A New Pitch in the Arsenal

Díaz’s experimentation with the changeup has been a long time coming. Despite having practiced the pitch during warm-ups, he had yet to summon the confidence to use it in a game setting. This week, he finally made the leap.

• Pitch Performance:
  • Díaz threw one changeup that registered 95 mph—nearly identical in speed to his fastball.
  • Ideally, he aims to throw the changeup in the low 90s for optimal effectiveness.

In his own words, "I wanted to see how it would look in a game. It didn’t look good, because I threw it 100 percent. When I throw it playing catch, I throw it maybe 60 percent, so the movement is way better."

Fastball and Slider Dominance

Statcast shows Díaz relies heavily on his fastball and slider, utilizing them 51.8% and 48% of the time respectively—making that lone changeup a noteworthy addition.

Why Add a Changeup?

Díaz believes that diversifying his pitch selection can give him a competitive edge. "It will make [hitters] think more," he said. However, he emphasizes the importance of perfecting the pitch before it becomes a regular part of his game. "If I don’t feel it’s good enough, I will stick with my other two pitches."

Stellar Season Statistics

Despite the hiccup with the new pitch, Díaz has enjoyed a remarkable season so far:

• ERA: 1.99 over 32 appearances
• Save Opportunities: 16-for-17
• Strikeout Rate: 36.8%

Díaz’s impressive first half has put him in contention for an All-Star selection, a feat he last achieved in 2022, even though he did not participate.

Major Highlights:

• Improvement Over Time:
  • After starting the season with a 4.50 ERA in April, his performance took a dramatic turn with just one earned run in his last 20 outings, resulting in a 0.41 ERA.

Strategic Usage and Future Goals

Díaz’s usage has ramped up recently, appearing in multiple games against the Braves. Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza is mindful of managing Díaz’s workload.

"I feel great physically," Díaz remarked. "I know my body better, so I don’t have to be on the mound every three or four days. If we don’t have a save situation, I can throw a bullpen to stay ready."

Conclusion

Edwin Díaz’s ongoing development of his changeup reflects his commitment to evolution in his craft. As he sharpens this new pitch, he is poised to continue his dominance on the mound, all while keeping an eye on his goal of making it to the All-Star Game. Keep an eye on Díaz as he navigates the next chapter of his season with the Mets.

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