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J.A. Happ 2019 Outlook: Breakout Looks Legit Despite Age
6 years agoJ.A. Happ had the best year of his big league career in 2018, compiling a 17-6 record and 3.65 ERA over 177 2/3 IP split between the Blue Jays and Yankees. The 36-year-old seems to have improved significantly as a pitcher, as his K% jumped to 26.3% from a career mark of 20.9% without a corresponding increase in walks (7% BB% vs. 8.6% career). His secret seems to be pitch selection, as he threw more four-seam fastballs (42.3% to 59.1% year-over-year) at the expense of his sinker (29.1% to 14.4%) last season. A free agent in the offseason, Happ chose to return to the Bronx where his supporting cast should again help him pad his win total. Yankee Stadium and the meat grinder that is the AL East may contribute to a couple clunkers now and then, but this writer feels that Happ is a steal at his current ADP of 141.
