Josh Hader, now in his second season with the Houston Astros, has made significant adjustments to his pitching mechanics, particularly his arm angle. This change aims to improve pitch tunneling, especially for his fastball, which had seen an upward trend in release height over previous seasons. Hader's average arm angle for fastballs has returned to 31 degrees, matching his 2021 performance, while his slider has seen a similar adjustment. This strategic change has already shown benefits, evidenced by his impressive 0.67 ERA and a perfect record in save opportunities early in the season.

Hader's focus on a lower fastball release has resulted in a notable difference in pitch effectiveness, leading to weak contact and a decreased hard-hit rate among opponents. In addition to his fastball, Hader is utilizing his slider more effectively this season, with increased vertical drop and break, suggesting a more unpredictable approach for hitters. This evolution in his pitching style could be key to his success as he aims to bounce back from a challenging previous season.