Summary:
Logan Gilbert’s development of a true splitter added a major swing-and-miss weapon to his arsenal, helping him address long-standing issues with attacking left-handed hitters.
Before Training:
Despite being a solid No. 3 starter, Logan’s changeup was a major liability—low velocity, poor movement, and predictable arm slowdown. It was easily the weakest pitch in his mix and limited his ability to finish hitters.
What We Worked On:
Splitter Development: Based on his arm slot, hand size, and pronation pattern, a splitter made more sense than a traditional changeup.
Release Adjustment: Kept arm speed up to mask the pitch and create separation from his fastball.
Usage Strategy: Incorporated primarily against left-handed hitters to neutralize platoon splits and improve putaway counts.
Key Metrics:
Whiff Rate on Splitter (2023–24): Over 20%
Swinging Strike Rate on Splitter (2025): 32% through first 4 starts
Pitch Usage: Became a go-to offering in two-strike counts
K-BB% vs. LHH: Improved year-over-year since implementation
Velocity: Maintained fastball velocity (~96 mph avg) while adding a new offspeed layer
Reflection:
Logan didn’t need a total overhaul—he needed one pitch to complete his arsenal. The splitter changed the way lefties game-planned against him and gave him a true putaway option that he never had before.
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