San Diego Padres’ Matt Strahm Looks Pretty Comfortable

Ever since returning from a knee injury, the San Diego Padres’ young hurler has been impressive. Although it is too early to heap praises on the left-handed pitcher from West Fargo, it would be fair to say that he is not going away anywhere any time soon.

In ten appearances (14.2 innings pitched) Matt Strahm of the San Diego Padres owns an earned-run average of 3.07. He has allowed five earned runs on 10 base hits. He has struck out eight batters and allowed nine walks. Strahm has also allowed 2 round-trippers.

Although the above stat-line is not Brad Hand-esque, it is still very good for someone who started the year on the disabled list and only managed 34.2 innings last year before undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

Strahm’s pitches per inning (P/IP) is an encouraging 16.8, his pitches per plate appearance is a miserly 3.98. These metrics will only improve as Strahm continues to pile-up innings under his belt.

As per baseballsavant.com, his exit velocity of 86.9 mph (2017 – 85 mph) is up a notch from the previous couple of years.

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Matt also is using the change-up (9.4%) and curve deliveries (9.3%) to good effect. This should deceive the hitters and help improve his strike-out percentage in the longer run.

Matt Strahm provides options for the San Diego Padres

Matt Strahm has shown nerves of steel in the limited opportunities. He has provided Andy Green with the much-needed flexibility of pitching out of the bull pen or as a starting pitcher.

Strahm seems to be Green’s fifth favorite option in the bull pen after Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, Craig Stammen, and Adam Cimber.

With playoff bound teams looking for bullpen depth, the Padres could play sellers and trade a few of their top relievers. Strahm should seamlessly slot into the role of a Kirby Yates or Craig Stammen with ease.

Next: Padres Lose to Marlins, 4-0

Matt Strahm is only 26 and if he could stay away from injuries, he could develop into a multi-faceted pitcher for the Friars.