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Pfaadt's Sweeper Shine: Diamondbacks Pitcher Finds Key to Bounce-Back
11 Mar
Summary
- Pfaadt delivered a strong performance against a lineup of major-league Dodgers players.
- He improved his crucial sweeper pitch, inducing whiffs on six of nine thrown.
- The 27-year-old pitcher seeks a bounce-back season after a 5.25 ERA in 2025.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt showcased a highly encouraging performance against a Los Angeles Dodgers lineup filled with major-league talent. Pitching 2.2 innings, Pfaadt allowed only two hits and two walks, with one earned run, despite facing a tough opponent like Freddie Freeman. He recorded four strikeouts and generated 11 whiffs on 19 swings.
The most notable aspect of Pfaadt's outing was the effectiveness of his sweeper, a pitch that was previously a struggle. He threw nine sweepers, and six of them resulted in swings and misses. Pfaadt has been working on mechanical tweaks to sharpen this critical secondary offering, aiming to regain its previous potency after a 2025 season where his ERA was 5.25.
His usage of the sweeper, along with his cutter and sinker, was balanced on Tuesday. Pfaadt also demonstrated control over six different pitches, showing arsenal depth. The 27-year-old, who signed a five-year, $45 million extension before the 2025 season, is a key factor for the Diamondbacks' rotation in 2026. His success hinges on maintaining a sharp sweeper and balanced fastball usage for a necessary bounce-back year.
