What do you guys make of him so far? Started off shaky but has really had some nice outings lately. Last year he was sitting 87-89mph and would flash 91mph but this year he's definitely added some velocity and is sitting 90-92mph and flashing 94mph. His slider is still very average and is kind of a show me pitch, but he's really made great strides with his curveball. It was a below average pitch last year and apparently he's been using a new grip and it's really made progress. It's at least an average pitch now and he's been using it as his strikeout pitch. I like what I see, especially with the added velocity. Last year, I would have said his ceiling would be a #4 starter, but with the progress he's made, I can see him as a potential #2 if he keeps this up.
I think he'll settle as a #3 starter type. He's progressed through the minors quickly and is still very young but I don't see him having top of the rotation potential. Still, he can be a very quality #3 for many years and that's nothing to scoff at.
Im a huge lyles fan ans think that his ceiling is a lower end #1 ... i know that it seems high to most people but i think he could have the future combination of stuff and smarts to pull it off. His fastball has added velocity this year and at only 21 he could still pump a mph or 2 onto it and gain more consistency and control. His curve has been anywhere from terrible to a plus pitch ... but he has at times this year flashed an excellent curve. The key to Lyles reaching his potental for me are 2 things that he did very well in the minors but has seemed to regress in lately. #1 First and Foremost Lyles needs to get his pinpoint control back . There are times when he perfectly paints the corners ..but others when he leaves pitches out over the middle or cant get them down in the zone. He needs to work over the Winter to get his best weapon back #2 Lyles Second best weapon during his ascension to the majors was a plus bordering on plus plus change ... He threw it with control and with the ideal gap of about 10 mph difference from the fastball. It seems to me his change is at 84-5 this year while his fastball sits at 91 ish and only rarely tops out at 94.... maybe as he gets more consistent with the fastball velocity his change will be more effective Overall Lyles future pitches grade out to a 91-95 fastball with good life, a plus curve that has good late movement, and a plus change... If Lyles is able to control these pitches well ... and maybe even develop a average slider... then there is no reason that he cant become a good #2 or a psuedo #1
I'm hopeful he can be an innings eating 3/4. Don't see the kind of swing and miss stuff to be more than that. But I can definitely see a reasonable chance he can be a guy that throws 180+ innings of league average ball every year, and that would have a lot of value.
I like Lyles a lot. There's a reason he moved so quickly through the minors.. The kid can pitch! He has a long strong body and good repeatable motion that makes me think he can withstand the 30-35 starts a year required of the modern pitcher. As others have said before me, he doesn't have the stuff of an ace. However I think he could be a top 35 MLB starter at his peak for about 8-10 years. Maybe posting true ace numbers a few of those years. I don't really like to throw out comparisons, but I could see John Lackey type upside. Hopefully Lyles career wouldn't fall off a cliff after he turns 30 like Lackey's has.
