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10 MLB players set to explode in 2017

MLB teams

Danny Duffy, starting pitcher, Kansas City Royals

Duffy is different than most players on this list. He’s 28 and debuted in 2011. His MLB career is not in its infancy stages. Still, we feel he’s now ready to jump to the next level.

In 2016, Duffy posted a 3.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and struck out 188 batters in 179.2 innings. What caused the improvement?

According to Fangraphs, Duffy’s fastball averaged 94.8 MPH in 2016. From 2013-15, the heaters averaged 93.7, 93.2, and 93.8, respectively. He’s always had a plus fastball, but it’s still improving.

But what we really like is the increased use of the changeup. In 2014 and 2015, Duffy threw his changeup 9.4 and 10.7 percent of the time. In 2016, he used it 17.1 percent of the time. He also dropped what was an ineffective curve from his game.

The increased use of the change shows that he’s really getting comfortable with it. That will only increase as the years go by and he throws it more. With Duffy’s fastball, a decent changeup is a lethal weapon.

Duffy is well positioned to front the Kansas City rotation. The way his pitches are improving gives us reason to expect big things, even compared to a very good 2016 season.

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