Gus Varland

Active

Rochester Red Wings · Pitcher

Age 296' 1" · 225 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

This 29-year-old right-hander profiles as a relief-only contributor with modest fantasy appeal, having recorded six saves in limited 2026 action while maintaining respectable strikeout production (30 K in 31.2 IP). His ERA and WHIP have deteriorated significantly compared to his 2024 baseline (6.25 ERA and 1.77 WHIP versus 3.42 ERA and 1.44 WHIP), suggesting command issues or elevated hard contact that pose immediate concerns for ratio-dependent fantasy managers. The combination of just one win, uncertainty around save opportunities, and recent statistical decline makes him a risky late-round gamble rather than a reliable closer, though his strikeout potential offers some upside if he regains form.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2023	2 teams▼	16	1	1	0	6.64	2.11	20	20.1	16
2024	2 teams▼	26	1	0	0	3.42	1.44	27	26.1	8
2026	Washington Nationals	33	1	2	6	6.82	1.83	30	31.2	15
Career	Totals	75	3	3	6	5.63	1.77	77	78.1	39

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2018	3 teams▼	13	11	0	1	0	0.95	0.82	50	38	8
2019	Stockton Ports	5	4	2	1	0	2.39	1.18	27	26.1	8
2021	Tulsa Drillers	16	14	1	4	0	5.71	1.47	22	34.2	18
2022	Tulsa Drillers	41	7	4	4	2	6.11	1.64	85	70.2	37
2023	3 teams▼	33	1	2	2	2	2.92	1.19	42	37.0	12
2024	2 teams▼	32	1	2	2	0	7.47	1.55	41	37.1	13
2025	2 teams▼	8	1	0	0	0	5.68	2.05	11	6.1	6
2026	Rochester Red Wings	24	0	2	3	7	3.00	1.13	32	24.0	8
Career	Totals	174	39	13	18	11	4.53	1.36	310	276.1	111

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo95.1 mph

Avg Spin2244 rpm

Whiff %21.6%

K %19.9%

BB %9.9%

Hard Hit %50.5%

Barrel %16.2%

xERA7.28

xBA Against0.303

xSLG Against0.579

BA Against0.326

SLG Against0.591

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2023

2 teams▼

6.64

2.11

20.1

2024

2 teams▼

3.42

1.44

26.1

2026

Washington Nationals

6.82

1.83

31.2

Career

Totals

5.63

1.77

78.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2018

3 teams▼

0.95

0.82

2019

Stockton Ports

2.39

1.18

26.1

2021

Tulsa Drillers

5.71

1.47

34.2

2022

Tulsa Drillers

6.11

1.64

70.2

2023

3 teams▼

2.92

1.19

37.0

2024

2 teams▼

7.47

1.55

37.1

2025

2 teams▼

5.68

2.05

6.1

2026

Rochester Red Wings

3.00

1.13

24.0

Career

Totals

174

4.53

1.36

310

276.1

111