Introduction

2020 was supposed to be a roaring success for Jorge López, who was named an All-Star destined for greatness in 2022. Little did he know that he would find himself on a downward trajectory with a 5.00 ERA in just 29 appearances. How could he go from an All-Star to a struggling pitcher in the span of a season?

What Caused the Drop in Performance From Lopez?

Jorge Lopez’s drop in performance can be attributed to a number of factors. One of which is an increased reliance on his four-seam fastball, which has resulted in an elevated walk rate. He’s been getting less swings and misses overall, which is indicative of his struggles in the biggest games. On top of that, López is having to rely on his command of the strike zone more than ever. This has been a decline in his performance so far this season.

Can Jorge Lopez Get Back on Track?

Despite these struggles, there’s still hope for the All-Star hopeful Jorge Lopez. He’s been relying more on his sinker and changeup in recent outings, and that coupled with improved command of the strike zone could lead to a much-needed turnaround. With the help of his pitching coach, there’s no reason why Jorge López couldn’t return to the All-Star form he showed earlier this season.

Conclusion

Jorge López is a pitcher with high expectations due to his All-Star selection earlier in 2020. Despite a 5.00 ERA in 29 appearances, there’s still hope for the pitcher to turn it around. With a renewed focus on his sinker and changeup paired with more effective strike zone command, Jorge Lopez could still become the All-Star he’s projected to be.

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