Notebook: Zeuch's solid June has hit at the top of Triple-A East pitchers

At first glance at T.J. Zeuch’s 2021 stats, one would think he has been the ace of the Buffalo Bisons’ rotation all season.

For starters, Zeuch has surrendered few runs. In nine starts and 10 appearances in 2021 Zeuch has a 3.81 ERA, the fifth-best in Triple-A East and second-best in the Triple-A Northeast division.

On an inning by inning basis, Zeuch’s 1.33 WHIP puts him tenth best in the East and fourth-best in the division. Zeuch also doesn’t allow free passes handing out just 12 walks all season, the least in the division and third-least in the league.

Additionally, Zeuch has pitched 52 innings, the 11th most in the East and has posted the third-lowest ERA among pitchers with over 50 innings of work. His numbers lack any real flaws.

The only outlier in Zeuch’s numbers has been his 2-3 record, tied for the tenth most losses in the East.

And while Zeuch’s overall numbers show he has been the clear star of the Bisons’ rotation this season, the climb to the top of the lineup has been a long one and steady one.

To begin his minor-league season, the right-hander struggled. In two starts and four appearances in April for the Blue Jays, Zeuch went 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA. In May, his first month with the Bisons, Zeuch went 0-3 in four starts and posted a 5.68 ERA.

Of course, Bisons’ manager Casey Candaele didn’t sweat Zeuch’ slow start. Candaele knew Zeuch was a fighter and instead focused on his ability to battle in games and the improvements that could be made.

“He was commanding his pitches was pretty well but gave up some cheap hits,” said Candaele at the end of May. “But again, he kept pitching and kept fighting so it is good to see it.”

Once the calendar turned to June Zeuch’s fight and development began to show. He looked like a completely different pitcher, piecing together effective start after effective start.

Zeuch made four starts and five appearances for the Bisons in June and collected a pair of wins and no losses while posting a 3.25 ERA. He surrendered at least a run in each start but limited the damage conceding just three runs once and no more than two in any other start.

Zeuch found a game plan that worked setting batters up with his curveball and finishing them off with an elevated fastball, avoiding surrendering “cheap hits.” Moreover, Zeuch

Zeuch’s string of impressive starts progressed in July where he posted his best start of the year on July 4th against the Leigh Valley IronPigs.

After taking a groundball single to the ankle, Zeuch appeared shaken for a moment. The IronPigs had struck for three runs after an error by Rowdy Tellez and Zeuch was struggling to locate his fastball.

But after a mound meeting from veteran catcher Juan Graterol and pitching coach Jeff Ware, Zeuch did what he had done all season, he shook off the bad start and kicked into gear.

“He’s a tough competitor. He went after people and didn't get down when he gave up some runs early and finished really strong,” said Candaele. “Those are always a great thing to see from a starting pitcher. He has trouble early and he has the ability to come back in and battle and keep you in a game and throw some innings for you. It’s a sign of a true professional and a guy that that doesn't give up and is a competitor, so it was great to see.”

Normally a contact pitcher, Zeuch finished the game pitching 5.1 innings, surrendering no runs on four hits and striking five to earn his fifth no-decision of the year.

In addition to his overall growth and improvements made this season, Zeuch has begun to develop a slider to pair with his fastball and curveball. He debuted it against the IronPigs and Candaele praised its effectiveness as he tied his season-high for strikeouts.

“He's been working on a new slider and it's paying off. It's a good pitch,” said Candaele. “He just needed to get control of it and tonight I think he moved in a great direction. It's got a lot more break and a little downward movement and it's going to be a good weapon for him.”

Zeuch, the Toronto Blue Jays former first-round draft pick and #26 prospect in their system has finally found comfort with the Bisons this season. Buffalo has won in six of his last seven starts and while it hasn’t been an easy road back, he is finally back where he belongs at the top of their rotation.