Brayan Bello has secured a role as a reliable option in the major league rotation, but he is determined to advance his skills further. Over 29 appearances last season, Bello posted a 3.55 ERA, which marked the lowest ERA of his four-year MLB career. However, despite this success, certain underlying metrics reveal areas requiring improvement to sustain and build upon this performance.
Underlying Performance Metrics Suggest Areas for Growth
Although Bello’s 3.55 ERA was a career best, his strikeout-to-walk percentage (K-BB%) stood at 9.3%, ranking 65th out of 70 pitchers with at least 150 innings pitched. While his pitching style does not primarily rely on striking batters out, allowing opponents to put the ball in play as frequently as he does may challenge his ability to maintain an ERA under four in the long run.
Introducing New Pitches to Diversify the Arsenal
This offseason, Bello has reportedly been focused on refining his pitch mix. Most notably, during live batting practice on Thursday, he incorporated a curveball into his repertoire for the first time since the 2022 season. Additionally, Bello has been collaborating with Ranger Suarez to develop a new grip for his changeup, aiming for better control and effectiveness.
Addressing Struggles Against Left-Handed Batters
Improvement against left-handed hitters is critical for Bello’s advancement. Last year, he struck out only 16.3% of lefties while issuing walks at a rate of 10%. He successfully employed his sinker and cutter to generate strikes, but these pitches frequently resulted in quality contact. When facing two-strike counts, Bello turned to his four-seam fastball, changeup, and sweeper; however, none effectively finished off batters.
Enhancing the Changeup for Greater Effectiveness
The changeup is particularly important in two-strike situations. In the 2024 season, Bello’s changeup demonstrated a higher putaway rate by about six percent compared to the following year and an increased strike rate by roughly ten percent. Over the past three years, its velocity has risen from 86 mph to nearly 89 mph, narrowing the speed gap between the changeup and his fastball. If Bello manages to adjust his grip or release to restore the pitch’s previous movement, it could result in increased strikeouts against left-handed hitters.
Potential Benefits of Adding a Curveball
Along with boosting strikeout numbers, reducing walks against lefties remains a priority. The addition of a curveball could fill this gap, offering a pitch that can be thrown for called strikes or driven into the dirt to induce swings and misses. Edward Cabrera, another right-handed pitcher with a similar arm slot, uses a curveball effectively in this way. While Bello’s version may differ, Cabrera’s approach offers a possible model for him to emulate.
Strength of the Sinker as a Foundation
Bello’s sinker remains a vital component of his arsenal, blending velocity and movement to challenge hitters’ timing and contact quality. This pitch allows him to navigate through difficult spots despite occasional mistakes. However, to advance further, Bello will need to improve command over his secondary pitches and establish a reliable putaway pitch. Developing a refined changeup and curveball could unlock higher performance levels and greater consistency.
Outlook for Bello’s Career Progression
Brayan Bello’s efforts to incorporate new pitches and adjust existing ones signal a commitment to growth and adaptability. Should he successfully enhance his changeup and curveball, it could lead to more strikeouts, fewer walks, and improved results against opposing hitters, especially left-handers. With these changes, Bello’s potential ceiling rises considerably, making his upcoming seasons critical in defining the trajectory of his pitching career.
Brayan Bello is throwing what looks like a curveball. And a pretty good one, at that.
Not something we’ve really seen from him before.
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) February 12, 2026
