Right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt delivered an impressive performance for the Toronto Blue Jays in June, drawing the attention of several opposing teams’ scouts as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Bassitt could be a good fit for teams like the Padres looking to strengthen their rotation.
In June, Bassitt posted a 1.95 ERA, tied for eighth among all pitchers in the league, marking a career-low ERA for him in any June where he pitched 20 or more innings. Over 37 innings, he recorded 35 strikeouts with only one walk and pitched six-plus innings in four of his six starts.
Overall this season, Bassitt has a 7-7 record with a 3.43 ERA, totaling 94 strikeouts and 41 walks.
One of Bassitt’s strengths is his diverse repertoire of pitches, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s game. This season, he has thrown eight different types of pitches, reaching speeds of up to 93 mph. His most commonly used pitch is the sinker (41 percent), followed by the cutter (20 percent) and curveball (14 percent). He also mixes in the sweeper (6 percent), split-finger (5 percent), changeup (5 percent), slider (4 percent), and four-seam fastball (3 percent). This variety keeps batters on their toes, with batters posting a .262 average against Bassitt.
However, Bassitt comes with a hefty price tag, currently earning $22 million and set to earn that salary through 2025. While he is valued higher than other rumored trade targets, he would significantly enhance the Padres’ rotation. His 1.95 ERA in June is lower than any other Padres’ pitcher last month, and his 22.3 percent strikeout rate ranks second among San Diego pitchers behind Michael King’s 29.1 percent rate.
If the Padres do not acquire Bassitt, scouts from the Mets—where he played in 2022 before joining the Blue Jays—are also rumored to be interested in him.
