Logan Gilbert's Pitch Evolution: Integrating the Changeup with His Dominant Splitter
This season marks a significant development in Logan Gilbert's pitching arsenal, as he has incorporated a new changeup to work alongside his established splitter. This strategic addition provides him with a crucial arm-side offering, primarily utilized for called strikes, while his potent splitter continues to serve as a primary swing-and-miss weapon. The integration of this distinct offspeed pitch has contributed to another successful season for Gilbert within the Mariners' rotation.
The modern era of baseball has seen a growing trend among pitchers to deepen their pitch repertoires, particularly to counteract opposite-handed batters effectively. This often involves developing robust offspeed pitches. Notable examples include Gerrit Cole's re-adoption of a full-time changeup post-Tommy John surgery, and Paul Skenes' use of a slower changeup to complement his powerful splitter in 2026. These instances underscore the evolving strategic importance of a diverse pitch mix.
Distinguishing between offspeed and breaking pitches can be complex, as the traditional definition of a changeup implies a significant velocity differential from a fastball with similar movement. However, this isn't always the case. Skenes, for example, employs a slower changeup with an 8-10 mph velocity gap from his four-seam fastball, while his splitter, despite being faster by approximately 5 mph, exhibits an additional inch of drop. This illustrates how different pitches can fulfill unique roles despite similar classifications.
Further analysis involves comparing young left-handed pitchers like Connelly Early and Joey Cantillo, both of whom featured changeups prominently in their 2026 seasons. Early's changeup showcases substantial vertical drop compared to his fastball, resembling a breaking pitch, whereas Cantillo's changeup aligns more with a traditional offspeed offering. This variation highlights the diverse applications and characteristics of pitches labeled as 'changeups' across different pitchers.
Veteran left-handers Max Fried and Carlos Rodón have also adapted their arsenals, particularly after joining the Yankees, to optimize arm-side options. Rodón introduced a 'one-seam' sinker in 2025, offering a shape similar to his high-depth changeup but at a higher velocity. Fried, upon joining in 2025, adjusted his two-seam fastball to achieve similar depth to his changeup, further showcasing the strategic modifications pitchers make to enhance their effectiveness.
Returning to Gilbert, his new changeup, while effective for called strikes and early-count swings, differs from his splitter. The changeup generates more early-to-timed swings, whereas his splitter elicits a wider spread of bat-to-ball contact. Analyzing Statcast's bat-tracking metrics reveals that while hitters frequently connect with Gilbert's changeup, his splitter more often results in swings above the ball, demonstrating their distinct outcomes.
Comparisons with other pitchers, such as Fried's sinker and Skenes' splitter, show that these pitches, with similar vertical separation to Gilbert's, tend to induce later and rolled-over swings. Their respective changeups, featuring similar shapes at lower velocities, generate earlier swings off the end of the bat, but like Gilbert's, are often lined up by hitters. This suggests that while these pitches are effective, hitters can adjust to them.
The polar changeups of Cantillo and Early present their own set of similarities and differences. Cantillo's changeup yields more early, end-of-the-bat swings, while Early's leads to more centered, slightly out-in-front contact. Despite their vastly different pitch shapes, both pitchers experience a similar amount of lined-up contact, indicating the complex interplay of pitch characteristics and batter responses.
Gilbert's arsenal, lacking a direct bridge to his changeup, primarily leverages it for called strikes and early-count swings. His potent splitter, frequently deployed in two-strike situations, is his key whiff-generator. This pitch capitalizes on Gilbert's elite extension and deception, catching hitters off-balance as they anticipate his four-seam fastball, leading to swings and misses or weak contact. His impressive array of offerings has consistently allowed Gilbert to achieve high strikeout rates throughout his professional career, a trend expected to continue.