The Atlanta Braves went to work in the offseason and traded for ace Chris Sale.
Sale will turn 35 in March, and injuries have taken a toll on his body, too.
But the Braves have faith that he can contribute a meaningful innings total, and that he can do it with his usual effectiveness.
In recent seasons, it has been hard for Sale to combine both things: availability and effectiveness.
He is looking fresh with the Braves, though, sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball and adding his trademark: a good deal of run.
“Chris Sale, 96 mph Fastball with 18 inches of run (home plate view),” Rob Friedman, famously known as the “Pitching Ninja,” tweeted.
Chris Sale, 96 mph Fastball with 18 inches of run (home plate view). 🔥 Via @mlb. pic.twitter.com/vOPq0liJe6
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 27, 2024
He included a video of the pitch, and it’s absolutely nasty.
Imagine standing there and having to hit 96 mph: now picture that velocity with that much movement away from the plate if you are a right-hander, and to your hands if you are a lefty.
“Run” denotes arm-side movement, and 18 inches on a fastball is elite.
Sale, who posted a 4.30 ERA in 102.2 innings last year with the Boston Red Sox, struck out 125 hitters last year.
The swing-and-miss stuff is still there even after the hundreds of innings and the wear and tear.
In Atlanta, he has the perfect conditions to succeed: a good park, a potent offense behind him, good defense, and a forward-thinking front office ready to add to the team if necessary.
If he remains in one piece and avoids major injury issues, chances are he will return the desired production for a team with World Series aspirations.
NEXT: Chris Sale Makes A Statement In His Braves Debut