Andrew Heaney has had a rough start to the season with the Texas Rangers, failing to pitch five innings in either of his first two starts despite throwing a high number of pitches.
In his first start against the Tampa Bay Rays, he struck out seven batters but struggled with efficiency, throwing 90 pitches in 4.2 innings. His second start was even more challenging, lasting only 3.2 innings and allowing three walks, two strikeouts, and a home run.
One notable concern is Heaney’s decreased velocity compared to 2023. Last year, his average fastball velocity was 92.5 mph, but in 2024, he has been averaging around 90.6 to 91.0 mph on his fastballs. This drop in velocity extends to his curveball, slider, and changeup, which are all down by 1.1-1.2 mph compared to last season.
While Heaney has never been known as a high-velocity pitcher, his success has been partly attributed to the exceptional movement on his fastball. However, a further decrease in velocity could be concerning, as it would give him less room for error.
Despite these early struggles, there are some positives for Heaney. His strikeout rate is consistent with last year, his walk rate has improved, and his expected ERA and expected wOBA are both better than in 2023. However, if his velocity does not improve in his upcoming starts, it could raise more significant concerns about the Rangers’ rotation for the start of the season.
