Bailey Falter, a pitcher who relies heavily on his fastball, lacks the ability to overpower hitters with blazing speed or devastating breaking pitches like his teammate Jared Jones. However, in a recent game against the Brewers, Falter proved that he can still achieve impressive results with a more straightforward approach.
Falter, who typically averages around 91 mph with his fastball, tossed a seven-inning gem, allowing only one run on three hits with two walks. He matched his career high with eight strikeouts and threw 61 of his 85 pitches for strikes. The key to Falter’s success lay in keeping things simple, focusing on his fastball’s extension, cut profile, and unique funkiness, which, according to catcher Joey Bart, are crucial to his effectiveness with the pitch.
Falter threw his fastball 60 times, a 71% rate that resulted in 13 whiffs and 13 called strikes. He also mixed in 12 sliders and a variety of other pitches, including sinkers, curveballs, and a splitter. Bart emphasized the importance of letting Falter do his thing and not overcomplicating the game plan, an approach that has led to a 1.73 ERA for Falter since the second inning of his season debut in Miami.
Falter’s only mistake came in the eighth inning when he left a sinker down the middle to Gary Sanchez, who belted it for a solo shot. However, Falter acknowledged that the simplicity of the game plan had been beneficial to him, helping him stay focused and avoid mental lapses.
Manager Derek Shelton praised Falter’s aggressive approach and efficient pitch count, which allowed him to maintain control of the game. Falter’s performance showcased the effectiveness of simplicity, a lesson that catcher Joey Bart has learned from his experience with former San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake McGee. Bart believes that by sticking to a pitcher’s strengths and getting the most out of what they do well, they can achieve success despite not possessing overwhelming stuff.
Bailey Falter’s seven-inning gem against the Brewers is a testament to the effectiveness of a simplistic approach in baseball. By relying on his strengths and trusting his process, Falter was able to outpitch the Brewers’ lineup and earn a valuable victory for the Pirates.
