"Cease entered the season with the most strikeouts in all of baseball since 2020. He was known to be a dominant strikeout pitcher, so his AL best 12.90 K/9 and 75 strikeouts should be a surprise to nobody. In addition to being a strikeout machine, he has optimized his pitching profile to be the best version of himself."
"Over his career he has dealt with issues of walking batters and allowing hard contact when batters connect. Cease had previously never finished a season with a walk rate ranking better than the 41st percentile. Even in 2022, when he finished runner-up in AL Cy Young voting, he posted a 16th percentile walk rate."
"Another issue that has plagued Cease at times has been his tendency to allow some unideal contact at times. Even in his best years, batters typically managed to get 60 per cent or more batted balls in the air. On its own, it can prove to be insignificant, however when also dealing with a walk issue, it can prove to be an issue. See his 2025 season for his example."
"While Cease still pitched great in 2025, his 20th percentile walk rate and 46th percentile barrel rate means two things. He gave batters too many free passes, and when batters did connect against him, it was more likely they were doing damage. Batters were also pulling balls in the air against Cease, further exemplifying the problem he has had with allowing damage."
Dylan Cease has emerged as a leading American League Cy Young candidate early in the season. The Toronto Blue Jays signed him to a seven-year contract to strengthen their starting rotation, and he has exceeded expectations. Cease entered the season with the most strikeouts in all of baseball since 2020. He has produced an AL-best 12.90 K/9 and 75 strikeouts. His main weaknesses have been walk rate and hard contact. He previously ranked no better than the 41st percentile in walk rate, including a 16th percentile walk rate in 2022. In 2025, a 20th percentile walk rate and 46th percentile barrel rate indicate too many free passes and more damaging contact when hitters connect.
Read at Jays Journal
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