Last night Tyler Mahle outdueled the Fort Wayne TinCaps starter in a game where only one run was scored. The right hander tossed 7.0 shutout innings with just two hits and two walks allowed. He also struck out nine batters as he lowered his ERA to 2.54 on the season.
The 20-year-old right handed pitcher has been on a heck of a run with the Dayton Dragons. While he’s been impressive all season, over his last six starts he’s been even better. Over the span of his last six starts Mahle has thrown 36.0 innings with just four walks and he’s struck out 33 batters. He’s allowed just five runs in that stretch, which is good for a 1.25 ERA and he’s coupled that with a WHIP of 0.92.
Mahle has risen his stock over the season as he’s performed well in the Dayton rotation, making 19 starts. The biggest strength for the righty has been his control. He’s walked just 13 batters in 110.0 innings this season. In 16 of his starts he has walked fewer than two batters. In the other three starts he walked two batters twice and three batters just once.
There is more to Mahle’s success than just having good control. He’s also posted strong groundball rates in 2015. Through his 19 starts he has posted a groundball rate of 53%, above the league average of 46% in the Midwest League. The high rate of groundballs has helped him keep the ball in the park, allowing just seven home runs on the season in his 110.0 innings pitched.
The 2015 season has been a rough one on the farm for the Cincinnati Reds as they’ve had numerous players wind up missing a bunch of time due to injuries and a few guys take steps backwards in production, but Tyler Mahle has put together a strong season and been a bright spot on the farm. He may not have been a name a lot knew coming into the season, but he should be one to keep an eye on moving forward.