Howdy, everybody, hope the weekend is off to an incredible begin for you. For you common readers, welcome again to a different version of Up-and-Coming Dynasty Gamers, and in case you are new, welcome and luxuriate in.
This week I lastly function a pitcher as I spotlight Hayden Wesneski of the Houston Astros. A right-hander, Wesneski is off to a stable begin this season and will, I consider, have a breakout season in 2025.
So let’s not waste any extra time and let’s get to speaking about Wesneski.
Profession Statistics
YEAR
W-L
G-GS
IP
H+BB
Ok
ERA
WHIP
BB/9
Ok/9
2022
3-2
6-4
33.0
31
33
2.18
0.939
1.9
9.0
2023
3-5
34-11
89.1
114
83
4.63
1.276
3.2
8.4
2024
3-6
28-7
67.2
77
67
3.86
1.138
2.8
8.9
2025
1-1
3-3
18.0
13
21
4.00
0.722
1.5
10.5
CAREER
10-14
71-25
208.0
235
204
3.94
1.130
2.7
8.8
Highway to the Majors
Hayden Wesneski attended Cy-Honest Excessive Faculty within the Houston space and was chosen within the thirty third spherical of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. The correct-handed determined to not signal and as a substitute headed to Sam Houston State in close by Huntsville, the place he instantly established himself because the ace of the employees. Throughout his freshman 12 months in 2017 he led NCAA Division I freshmen in wins with 10 as he completed 10-2 total with a 3.93 ERA.
Every season at Sam Houston noticed Wesneski enhance on the mound. After posting that 3.93 ERA as a freshman, he lowered it to three.50 his sophomore 12 months after which lowered it to three.32 as a junior. Throughout that very same time span, his WHIP went from 1.323 to 1.239 to 1.126. Much more spectacular was the uptick in his Ok/9 charge. His freshman season noticed him strike out 5.0 batters per 9 innings. That elevated to six.2 as a sophomore after which to 9.4 his junior season. His 110 strikeouts in 2019 set a faculty report.
The Yankees chosen Wesneski within the sixth spherical of the 2019 draft and developed him of their system as a starter earlier than buying and selling him to the Cubs for Scott Effross in August of 2022. He made 5 appearances within the minors for the Cubs earlier than being recalled to the majors and appeared in six video games, 4 of which had been begins.
Throughout his time within the minors, Wesneski went 20-16 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.159 WHIP with a 2.7 BB/9 charge and 9.8 Ok/9 charge.
Main League Profession
Whereas with the Cubs, Wesneski was used as each a starter and reliever, showing in 68 video games and making 22 begins and going 9-13 with a 3.93 ERA and 1.168 WHIP whereas posting a 2.8 BB/9 charge and eight.7 Ok/9 charge.
This previous offseason introduced Wesneski to the Astros, his hometown staff, as a part of the Kyle Tucker commerce. The plan was for Wesneski to be a member of the beginning rotation and thru Friday he has made three begins, going 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA and 0.722 WHIP whereas strolling 1.5 batters per 9 with a ten.5 Ok/9 charge.
The Instruments
Hayden Wesneski throws six completely different pitches, with the Astros altering his utilization charge for every of them in comparison with what he threw final season with the Cubs. His two most important pitches – the 4-seam fastball and sweeper – are nonetheless his prime two pitches with Houston. However the Astros have him throwing the 4-seamer 39.2% of the time in comparison with final season’s charge of 36%. In the meantime, the sweeper has gone from a 40.7% utilization charge all the way down to 25.5% this season.
Along with his 4-seamer Wesneski additionally throws a sinker. The 4-seamer is league common at 94.3 MPH whereas his sinker is available in a 92.9 mph, a bit of beneath common for right-handed pitchers. Whereas the 2 pitches don’t overpower hitters, he throws each pitches excessive within the zone and inside to right-handed hitters, with the sinker busting in on righties much more than the 4-seamer.
Wesneski will get good keep it up each pitches, serving to him have success with each of them. He has a 25.0% Ok% along with his 4-seamer with a .200 batting common whereas his sinker produces a 50% Ok% with a .125 batting common.
When not throwing a 4-seamer or sinker, Wesneski is available in along with his sweeper, which averages 83.6 mph. Breaking away from righties, the pitch has produced a 44.4 Ok% this season and a .167 batting common in opposition to. Wesneski pairs his cutter along with his sweeper, giving him a sooner, sharper breaking pitch that to this point has produced a .143 batting common in opposition to.
The most important change the Astros have made with Hayden Wesneski is having him throw a curve, a pitch he didn’t throw with the Cubs. However maybe he ought to have. Whereas the pattern measurement is small, the pitch has been efficient for him as opponents are hitting .000 in opposition to it.
Wesneski’s ultimate pitch is his changeup. It was a pitch he featured the least whereas with the Cubs final season, throwing it 2.8% of the time. The utilization charge has elevated since becoming a member of the Astros as he has thrown it 5.7% of the time by his first three begins.
The pitch has been one for him in addition to opponents are hitting .000 in opposition to it with a Whiff% of 37.5%.
The Verdict
The possibilities of Hayden Wesneski being an ace are small, and he doubtless isn’t actually going to be a No. 2 pitcher. So whereas his ceiling is just not very excessive, he has a really excessive flooring, which means he must be an excellent No. 3 pitcher.
He has six stable pitches, permitting him to assault each right-handers and left-handers equally effectively. Once more, it is a small pattern measurement, however in his three begins this 12 months right-handed hitters have a slash line of .216/.256/.568 with a 33% strikeout charge and a 2.6% stroll charge. In the meantime, lefties have a .074/.138/.185 slash line with a 27.6% strikeout charge and 6.9% stroll charge.
These numbers are consistent with what he has carried out throughout his profession. General, righties have a .210/.275/.391 slash line with a 26.6% strikeout charge and seven.1% stroll charge. Lefties have a .233/.297/.442 slashing line, 19.5% strikeout charge, and seven.5% stroll charge.
The one actual concern with Wesneski is the quantity of dwelling runs he has allowed. When he misses his spots along with his fastball, opposing hitters have despatched these pitches far into the outfield stands. In 208 profession innings pitched, Wesneski has served up 40 homers for a HR charge of 1.7/9 IP. This 12 months, he has already allowed 5 homers in 18 innings, with three of these coming in opposition to the Angels in his final begin, accounting for all three runs he allowed in six innings on the mound.
Residence runs apart, Wesneski is a pitcher who ought to discover constant success in Houston. The group has an extended historical past of turning “common” pitchers into above common starters and it already seems to be just like the tweaks they’ve made with him are paying off. However in lots of fantasy leagues, he’s nonetheless sitting on the waiver wire. He’s rostered in solely 20% of ESPN leagues and 39% of Yahoo leagues whereas solely 69% of Fantrax groups have him rostered.
With pitchers hitting the IL each day, you’ll be sensible to go after Wesneski after which hold him for a number of extra years after this season as he’s an up-and-coming dynasty participant.
Blissful Easter and thanks for studying. Come again once more subsequent week.
