I wrote here a couple of weeks ago about how Cristian Javier has a strikeout problem. This is a sentence nor a topic I expected to write about even a few months ago. After all, Javier’s 32.1% strikeout rate from 2021 through 2022 appeared sustainable. While fluctuations are possible and expected, a sizeable variation in either direction didn’t seem likely. Cue the surprise behind his current rate of 22.9%, which is a nearly 10% decline. Unfortunately, his latest start with only one strikeout compared to five walks in 2 1⁄3 innings only intensified my concerns. Ironically, what was my primary concern with Javier about two years ago — his walk rate — has improved dramatically.
Cristian Javier, Velocity Issues, and Release Point Changes
