The Dynasty Digest: April 2, 2025

Happy Wednesday, folks. We are just two days away from all full-season minor league affiliates kicking off on Friday. Triple-A teams were back in action last night for a full series of games, and there was plenty to take away.

If you are unfamiliar with the Dynasty Digest, it is a daily newsletter covering the previous days’ action. While the main focus is usually Minor League Baseball, I will also be hitting on MLB performances to know as well. 

Let’s break them down!

The Dynasty Digest, April 2, 2025

Shane Baz, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

The Baz we saw on display on Tuesday is the Baz that many have hoped to see for quite some time. He allowed seven hits across six innings but did not allow a run or a walk. Striking out ten batters, Baz generated just 13 whiffs but posted a 35 percent CSW rate.

Baz’s performance might not even be the most notable thing. The fastball was moving, averaging 97 and touching over 100 mph. Last season, Baz averaged 95.7 mph, so the velocity jump is substantial. As far as pitch shape goes, it remained very similar to last season as did his release point.

The pitch mix was notable, however. Baz led with his curveball, using it 35 percent of the time on Tuesday. The curve was his third most-used offering in 2024 at a rate of 20 percent.

Baz’s slider also showed a slightly different shape. While seeing close to a one mph drop in velocity, it also showed more depth, having four more inches of drop. The changeup looks a tad different as well, having higher spin rates and three inches more of arm-side fade on average.

If Baz can maintain the velocity jump and continue to mix his pitches like he did on Tuesday, he could have a major breakout season.

Logan Gilbert, RHP, Seattle Mariners

If you look at the box score, you probably don’t come away impressed with Gilbert’s outing. He allowed three runs across five innings of work, but it was on just five hits and one walk. You could call the hits a product of BABIP luck in a few cases, especially in the first inning.

But when you look at the things GIlbert could control, he dominated. That was a large reason why he finished the day with ten strikeouts in five innings of work. It also came with a daily best of 22 whiffs on 48 swings. Gilbert added 13 more called strikes for a 38 percent CSW.

Gilbert sequenced much differently than he did in his first start, using his fastball nearly 50 percent of the time. It worked, though, as he had a 47 percent whiff rate on that offering. The splitter was the most dominant pitch, generating nine whiffs on 17 swings while sitting around 83 mph. The pitch has taken a step back velocity-wise but also showed more depth, which is not a bad thing.

I would also not be worried about Gilbert sitting 95.6 mph with his fastball, a full tick down from last year. He created more ride on the pitch, and how close he lived to his max velocity last year is a bit concerning. Gilbert is an ace!

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