TJ Stuff: Reliever Roundup
Mason Montgomery, Ben Casparius, Randy Rodríguez
Welcome to “TJ Stuff”, a series which aims to highlight any intriguing MLB players and performances.
Mason Montgomery
Mason Montgomery has generated oodles of hype this season and it’s not a secret as to why. The Rays lefty sits at 100 MPH with his fastball and pairs it with a devastating gyro slider. His fastball averages 19” iVB from a 5.9 ft release; well above average ride for his slot. When located at the top of the zone, the pitch is nearly unhittable and its early results have been jaw dropping.
His slider is just as good, sitting in the low 90s with extremely tight gyro action. Both pitches grade out as 80 grade offering according to tjStuff, which is simply absurd.
Montgomery is arguably the best left-handed reliver in MLB after just a handful of innings pitched. The stuff is truly that good and I would not be surprised if he takes over the Rays closer role later this season.
Ben Casparius
I just cannot stop talking about Ben Casparius. The Dodgers rookie has always had a knack for generating spin as displayed by his +3000 RPM breaking balls with his fastball lagging behind in terms of effectiveness. This season Casparius flipped the script as his fastball has turned into a plus offering and returned excellent results to start the season. To adjust the shape of his fastball he raised his arm angle 6° from 42° to 48° to get on top of the ball to impart more backspin on the offering. These changes have led to an average 18.8” iVB, an increase of ~2.5” from 2024. Combing the improvements to its ride with its high 90s velocity has elevated it’s tjStuff+ grade from 99 to 109.
The improvement to Casparius’ arsenal does not stop at his fastball. His slider looks much better this season as it has retained its mid 80s velocity with an additional 4” of sweep. This change has elevated its tjStuff+ from a strong 109 to and elite 118. His curveball is getting +3” of drop while his cutter is getting a ton of ride and cutting action.
Each of Casparius’ 4 pitches grade out as plus offerings and flash plus-plus consistently. He is one of the nastiest relievers in baseball and has the talent to be the Dodgers most valuable bullpen arm this season.
Randy Rodríguez
Randy Rodríguez is off to a blistering start this season as he struck out 9 of the first 19 batters he has faced without issuing any BB. After tossing 4 distinct pitches last season, Rodríguez has transformed into a 2-pitch pitcher with his 4-Seam and slider leading the way.
Rodríguez’s fastball is elite and significantly better than last season. The offering sits in the uppers 90s and he has an elite ability to generate ride on the pitch. He is averaging an absurd 18.4” iVB from a 5.5 ft release which helps it retain its flat -4.1° VAA. The shallow slope of the offering helps it play incredibly well in zone and generate a ton of whiffs. It grades out as a plus-plus offering in tjStuff+ (115), and that may be underselling it.
His slider has surprisingly been his most used pitch this season as he is not afraid to throw it to either handedness of batter. He offering averaged 85 MPH with 7” of sweep and -2” iVB. The slight drop on the offering helps the pitch slip below bats when located low in the zone. It has already racked up +3 Run Value and has the characteristics to be one of the most valuable pitches in baseball.
Rodríguez has all the tools of an elite closer but is currently locked into a middle-inning relief spot, a role where his incredible stuff should flourish.
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