Pitch Mix
Schultz's arsenal primarily features a two-seam fastball (43%), a slider (30%), a changeup (8%), and a cutter (5%).
His standout offering is the slider, regarded as one of the finest in the minors. It boasts a 73% strike rate, the highest among his pitches, and holds opposing hitters to a .356 OPS.
This pitch resembles a sweeper more than the sharper sliders common today, averaging 82.7 mph with a significant 13.1 inches of horizontal break. At 6-foot-9, Schultz's lower release point enhances the slider's elusiveness and benefits his fastball too. His fastball, an effective weapon in its own right, typically ranges from 94-96 mph, peaking at 98 mph, and displays notable arm-side run of 17.6 inches.
While the two-seam fastball isn't primarily a strikeout pitch, Schultz employs it successfully in early counts, inducing a 52% ground ball rate. It is his most used pitch, but he relies on it less in two-strike situations, opting for his secondary pitches to finish off hitters.
Schultz's changeup and cutter, though less frequently used, offer varied approaches in his pitching strategy. His changeup is particularly effective as a two-strike option against right-handed batters, while he remains confident in deploying his formidable slider in those scenarios.
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