August 23, 2024
Left-handed pitcher Mason Fluharty has done away with his 2-seam fastball in 2024. Fluharty, who made it to pro ball with a two-pitch mix of a cutter and a slider; has reverted back to that pitch combo this season with Triple-A Buffalo.
“I’m done with my 2-seam,” explained Fluharty. “I’m just throwing my cutter everywhere now. Cutters’ backdoor, cutters back foot, cutters up-and-in; just cutters everywhere. That’s my pitch, that’s how I got here and I’m never going to change that.”
His two-pitch mix is serving him well, as his cutter is a 50-grade pitch, and his slider is a 70-grade pitch according to MLB Pipeline.
Pitching 56 2/3 innings to date in 2024; Fluharty has racked up 63 K’s and he’s maintaining a WHIP of 1.29.
A major contributor to Fluharty’s season is the way his two pitches work off one another.
“They do the same thing, they go the same direction, just one is harder than the other,” stated Fluharty. “I throw them everywhere. Last year when we were working on the 2-seam, we were trying to get something to go the other way. But it didn’t grade out as well as my cutter and my slider, so we sat down and said we’re not throwing that anymore and we’re going to throw the cutter everywhere. I’ve had success with it, if I need it to evolve, I’ll evolve it but for now I’m just going to roll with it.”
Currently in his first season of Triple-A ball, Fluharty talks about the jump up from Double-A.
“The biggest difference between Double-A and Triple-A is the ABS,” said Fluharty. “You’re not getting those swings in Triple-A. With the ABS they can be so selective in the zone because they know they can challenge it.”
Be sure to follow Mason Fluharty, as he continues to find success with his cutter and slider.