4/01/25
This was my first look at Laubscher this season, and he delivered a dominant start against Acalanes. Laubscher set the tone early, striking out the side in the 1st on 15 pitches on the way to a final line of 5.2 IP, 1 H, 11 K, 5 BB, and 0 R. Armed with a 3 pitch mix, Laubscher relied heavily on his FB (82-85 T86) and SL (70-74), flashing his CH (77-80) late in counts. The FB was at its best when located at the up and in/at the letters or on the outer third to RHH. This created a great tunnel with his SL, which he used either in the zone for called strikes or as a chase pitch away to RHH. Laubscher primarily went to his CH when ahead in the count as an out pitch, but he was confident throwing all three pitches for strikes. Laubscher’s only real trouble in the outing came when the rain started coming down in the 3rd inning. Laubscher seemed to struggle a bit getting a good feel for the ball initially, walking the bases loaded with 1 out with the rain. Laubscher demonstrated great composure, though, and an ability to pitch out of jams, striking out the next two batters to end the inning. After a brief rain delay, Laubscher would look to settle back in, striking out six of the last nine batters he faced and walking only one more. With a slight hitch in his delivery and a whip-like arm action, I could see Laubscher adding more velocity by getting into his lower half/down the mound more often.