I can't help wonder if it is a head problem. His history does seem like a rollercoaster ride. I seem to remember an article when he first figured it out with the White Sox that his girlfriend pointed out something that made the confidence light bulb come on. I later heard it affirmed by him in an interview on the SCORE radio station. Now I wonder if he has lost his way and is pressing.
He is currently 14Y in our AL only league. This means he was extended and has next year left. It would also cost the owner 14 real dollars to drop him. I am half tempted to throw an offer his way. Unfortunately he is in 10th place and might be best just to sit tight and hope for the turnaround.
I was looking over him and couple of things stood out. His spin rate is down and his hard hit rate has gone up. His FIP is only 5.09. Whether it is mental or not he is too hittable and giving up HR at alarming rate. If you get him does the contract cost of dropping him transfer to you? Seems risky to me.
Thanks for posting this. I did not look into his FIP numbers and spin rate. Giolito says he is leaving too many pitches inside. If you think you cannot locate could that be a head issue?
The cost of dropping does transfer. I am not trying to sound like a big shooter, when I say that the 14 bucks does not sway me one way or the other. In fact should I move ahead with an offer, I would hope that the other owner thinks the 14 bucks is a big deal.
I'm basing this not observing him pitch. I only saw him in his 1st start against the Tigers and he pitched pretty well but most pitchers look good pitching to the Tigers. Also his velo is slightly down but it looks like it is in range. Don't know if it a head issue. He seems risky to me at this point but I suppose he is the poster child for a low buy.
On May 26th Giolito was sitting pretty - 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA
Since then he's given up 9 HR and 11 BB in 25.2 IP.
Historically Giolito has not had signficant L/R splits. This year he has extreme reverse splits. Righties are destroying him to the tune of .344/.409/.702. He's been good against lefties.