James Paxton (SP, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues

OWNED IN: 36% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: James Paxton is 27 years old and has made some very important strides in his pitching game in 2016. In total he has a 4.15 ERA and 1.67 ERA; but he has improved his HR/9 figure from 1.1 to 0.8, his BB/9 figure from 3.9 to 2.9, and has greatly increased his strikeout volume by taking his 7.5 K/9 from 2015 to a 2016 figure of 10.6. His greatly improved isolated pitching figures explains why his FIP is so fantastic at 2.87. Why the increased whiffs? They can probably be explained by his massive increase in pitch velocity. In 2015, Paxton threw 795 fastballs at an average speed of 94.1 mph and 123 change-ups at an average speed of 85.8 mph. This season Paxton has thrown 403 fastballs and 46 change-ups. His average velocities have improved to 97.1 mph and 88 mph. His fastball has peaked at 100.2 mph this season. With such a huge spike in pitch velocity for two of Paxton's most prevalent pitches, it is no wonder his strikeout volume has improved so massively while his walk rate has tanked.