In the realm of baseball, where every pitch can make or break a game, three starting pitchers have emerged as intriguing figures, each with their own unique story of transformation. Emerson Hancock, Gavin Williams, and Roki Sasaki have all undergone remarkable evolutions, gaining stuff and command, and in the process, becoming more effective on the mound. This article delves into their journeys, exploring the factors that contributed to their success and the implications for fantasy baseball managers and fans alike.
Emerson Hancock: The Mariners' Rising Star
Emerson Hancock, once on the outside looking in for the Seattle Mariners' rotation, has become an integral part of their starting lineup. His career-high 20.3% K-BB% this season is a testament to his newfound command and stuff. Hancock's Stuff+ has jumped 12 points to 102, with his new cutter and curveball grading out well. However, it's his sweeping slider that has seen the most significant improvement, adding over one inch of both vertical and horizontal movement.
What makes Hancock's transformation particularly fascinating is the change in his pitch selection. He is now throwing more sweepers to right-handed hitters, which has led to a decrease in the usage of his sinker, a pitch with a 95 Stuff+. This strategic adjustment has allowed Hancock to command his fastballs better, with both the sinker and four-seam showing improved locations. Hancock's lower arm angle has played a crucial role in this, making his four-seam unique and harder to square up.
Hancock's improved command is evident in his Location+ grades, particularly with the four-seam and sinker. He has been generating a higher groundball rate from the sinker, despite its previous struggles against left-handed hitters. Hancock's ability to command his pitches has led to better results, though not great ones, and his growth from a below-average pitcher to a potential hold or buy is a testament to the time it takes for pitchers to develop.
Gavin Williams: Command and Control
Gavin Williams, a pitcher who has historically struggled with command and control, has seen a significant improvement in these areas this season. His 32% ball rate and 13.6% swinging-strike rate have led to a career-best K-BB% of 21.1%. Williams' Stuff+ and Location+ grades have both improved by 4-5 points, with his curveball climbing to a 113 Stuff+. Interestingly, the curveball's movement profile hasn't changed much, but it continues to flash above-average downward and horizontal movement.
Williams' curveball has been particularly effective against right-handed hitters, allowing a .112 wOBA and .094 xwOBA. However, it has been less effective against lefties, with a .317 wOBA and .319 xwOBA. The heat maps show that his curveball is sitting more middle of the plate at a similar height vs. left-handed hitters this year. Williams seems to be hanging the curveball to lefties, and they are crushing those heart-of-the-zone hangers.
Williams' four-seamer, long hovering around average, has jumped 5 points to a 104 Stuff+. The pitch relies more on arm-side run than induced vertical break, but opposing hitters continue to do damage against it. Williams struggles to command the four-seamer, given his career-low 89 Location+ this season. However, his sinker and cutter, both with high Location+ grades, seem like more notable improvements.
Roki Sasaki: The Rising Star from the Dodgers
Roki Sasaki, who missed most of the 2025 season due to a right shoulder impingement, has emerged as a pitcher with above-average stuff. His overall Stuff+ has jumped from 91 to 104, with significant improvements in his three primary pitches. Sasaki's splitter forkball, softer than his splitter, features just a 599 RPM spin rate, almost like a knuckleball. Since we don't have a massive database for forkballs, it's hard to compare Sasaki's forkball to any other pitch.
Sasaki's splitter and forkball lead his arsenal from a command standpoint, with high-end command grades for his two best pitches. These high-end command grades have led to a significant increase in his overall Location+ (99) this season. Sasaki is throwing his forkball over five inches higher in the zone and over 1.5 inches closer to the middle of the plate. He has also had an 11-point gain in the Stuff+ on his slider, with an 18-point jump in Location+.
Sasaki's four-seamer command has also improved, with a 118 Location+ in his four most recent outings. However, opposing hitters continue to crush the heater, especially if he leaves it in the heart of the zone. If the heater continues to be hit hard, we should see him lower its usage in favor of his non-fastballs. Sasaki's changes this season are intriguing, though the results haven't quite translated consistently.
Conclusion: The Art of Transformation
The journeys of Emerson Hancock, Gavin Williams, and Roki Sasaki highlight the art of transformation in baseball. Each pitcher has undergone a remarkable evolution, gaining stuff and command, and in the process, becoming more effective on the mound. Their stories serve as a reminder that growth can take time, and that pitchers, like any other player, can evolve and improve. For fantasy baseball managers, these transformations present both opportunities and challenges, as they navigate the delicate balance between holding onto promising players and making strategic buys.
In the end, the art of transformation in baseball is a testament to the human element of the game. It's a reminder that even the most unlikely of players can rise to the occasion, and that the journey to success is often as fascinating as the destination itself.
