The best Shane Bieber we have all seen came between 2019 and 2021.
His ERA was in the low-3.00s in two of those years and in the remaining one, he won the AL Cy Young with a 1.63 mark in 2020.
His fastball velocity averaged between 92.9 mph and 94.3 mph for most of the time in those three seasons.
Last year, however, the Cleveland Guardians ace experienced a dip in velocity, a forearm injury, and a 3.80 ERA with a career-worst strikeout rate.
His four-seamer averaged 91.5 mph in 2022 and 91.6 mph last year, a far cry off the velocity he had at peak.
The right-hander, however, is determined to get back to his best form.
Knowing that he will be a free agent after the season, Bieber went to Driveline to overhaul his delivery and to try and get most of his velocity back.
The time spent in the renowned baseball lab has been successful to this point, according to a stat provided by Guardians insider Zack Meisel.
“Shane Bieber (who will hate this tweet) is hitting 94 mph in the first inning today. His average fastball velocity the last two years: 91.3 mph,” Meisel tweeted.
Shane Bieber (who will hate this tweet) is hitting 94 mph in the first inning today. His average fastball velocity the last two years: 91.3 mph.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) March 2, 2024
It’s one thing to average 94 mph in the first inning of a spring training game, and a much different thing to maintain that velocity deep into games in the middle or the latter part of the season.
Right now, however, Guardians fans are dreaming about getting vintage Bieber back in 2024.
It will likely be his walk year, but all parties would love for him to have a highly successful campaign.
Regaining his top velocity will help a lot.
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