Matusz: Danks 2.0

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Brian Matusz’s rookie season has been eerily similar to that of fellow lefty John Danks.  Though Matusz, 22, is one year older than Danks was as a rookie in 2007, they’ve posted nearly identical rate stats in roughly the same amount of innings (to date for Matusz):

 Danks’ bloated home run rate can be attributed to a higher HR/FB rate of 13.8% compared to Matusz’s 9.0%.

 Matusz has not only produced a carbon copy of Danks’ rookie season results, he’s accomplished it using a markedly similar repertoire:

 Both featured a fastball/changeup combination, while Matusz sprinkled in a few more sliders than Danks.

Given their nearly indistinguishable rookie seasons, it will be interesting to see if Matusz’ development mimics that of Danks.  Two keys to Danks’ progress have been the refinement of his control and the development of a cutter, which Danks now throws for nearly a quarter of his pitches.  Over the last four years, Danks’ increased use of his cutter has correlated closely with an improvement in his groundball rate from 35% as a rookie to a solid 46% this year.  The Orioles will certainly be pleased if Matusz morphs into the 5-win pitcher that Danks has become. [All data taken from Fangraphs.com]