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Ryan Chasse Embraces New Pitching Approach
Ryan Chasse’s 2023 season did not unfold as expected. Originally a 17th-round draft pick in 2022, Chasse faced setbacks as injuries limited his playing time to a mere 24.2 innings during what was supposed to be his first complete season at Class A. Furthermore, struggling with control issues, he walked nearly a batter per inning. The 24-year-old Chasse, known for his beard, soft-spoken demeanor, and intense competitiveness, realized that younger pitchers with greater velocity and more formidable breaking pitches were surpassing him. In order to thrive, the six-foot-three left-hander knew he had to adopt a different approach.
Exploration of the Knuckleball
Having toyed with a knuckleball since childhood, Chasse had never mustered the courage to incorporate it into his game. Instead, he had relied on his 91-92 mph fastball to overpower hitters, a tactic that had not yielded the desired results. However, during the previous spring, Blue Jays pitching coordinator Cory Popham observed Chasse experimenting with a knuckleball and encouraged him to further explore this unconventional pitch at the team’s pitching laboratory in Dunedin, Florida. With a striking resemblance to Wakefield’s signature pitch, Chasse’s knuckleball danced into the strike zone at approximately 70 mph.
Transition to Knuckleball
In early 2023, as Chasse’s season took a downturn, the Blue Jays expressed keen interest in his potential as a knuckleball pitcher. Recognizing the opportunity for reinvention, Chasse accepted the challenge but acknowledged the need for guidance. Subsequently, upon the conclusion of the minor-league season, Blue Jays pitching coach Sheehan reconnected with former knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, apprising him of Chasse’s enhanced commitment to mastering the pitch. Eager to support an aspiring knuckleballer, Dickey elevated his involvement, demonstrating a willingness to travel and provide hands-on assistance to Chasse.
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