Daniel Ponce de Leon has been given the chance to pitch out of the rotation due to the Cardinals lack of healthy pitchers. However, now that most everyone is back or on the way back, it appears unlikely that Ponce de Leon will remain in the rotation due to his mediocre results and inability to control his pitch count and pitch deep into games. However, while in the rotation, he has revealed a new approach to facing hitters.
To begin with, Ponce de Leon is throwing more curveballs. Last season, just 8.5% of Ponce de Leon’s pitches were curveballs.