Why is Gil Meche good?

[bedir than average]

As a Mariner fan I have been having this converstaion with a few people lately.

We are all wondering why Gil seems to be the good Gil that we would only get to see every third or fourth start. What has he done to turn it around?

I know it is still early, but at this rate MrMeche will earn this year's contract.

My argument has been that the lesser pressure of playing in a smaller market with lower expectations than the Mariners might have freed Meche from forcing himself to be something that he's not (an Ace) and instead has allowed him the freedom to just pitch, not nibble.

Others have argued that what has turned him around is that he is now comfortable knowing that he has a long term deal, something that he never had with the Mariners.

So what has changed about Gil Meche?

[bedir than average]

Gil Meche Stats and Graphs - Kansas City Royals | FanGraphs

Looking at Meche so far this year we see a 4GS, 28IP guy with a 2.22 ERA.

When we look deeper though we notice some intriguing statistics.

He has his highest ever, and by far, K/BB at 3.00. A pitcher that puts up a full season at that rate is going to be incredible, especially if they are having a career best in the BB/9 and near best K/9.

But Gil has done something else in these four starts, something that makes his good initial peripherals look GREAT. His LOB% (strand rate) is 81%, 10% higher than his career average and well better than league average.

When you only put 1.20 batters on base per inning, have a better than league average K/9 and follow that up by stranding almost all of the rare runners one winds up with an amazing collection of starts.

Why is his LOB% that high? Well, Gil is doing something to cause more Grounders. His LD/GB/FB% is 16/52/32. Gil has four starts so far that indicate that he seems to have either learned a new pitch (sinker, improved dive on a two seamer) or new technique (keeping the ball down more).

There are early indications that Gil Meche has reinvented himself. One wonders if he could have done this staying a Mariner, but there is no doubt that he would be a Schilling to Felix' Johnson if he'd stayed and done this.