LHP Ryan O'Rourke has been signed by the Mets to a minor league contract with an invite to the majhor league spring training camp (for now, I have him in Syracuse).
The 30-year old was a 13th round pick, out of Merrimack College, MA., by Minnesota in the 2010 draft.
He was a starter in college but converted to a reliever by the Twins in 2012.
2016 was an outstanding year. First... 1.93 in 33-apps in AAA-Rochester and then 3.96 in 26-apps for the parent club.
But BOOM... TJS reared its ugly head, taking the entire 2016 season and most of 2018 away.
He did get in 15-apps, 13-IP for 4 minor league rehab stints and posted a 1.23/0.63, 13-K, 21-Ks.
He's a 6-3 lefty who could easily make the parent pen this spring.
From Brooks Baseball -
His slider generates more whiffs/swing compared to other pitchers' sliders, has less than expected depth and results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers' sliders. His fourseam fastball results in many more groundballs compared to other pitchers' fourseamers and has essentially average velo. His sinker generates fewer whiffs/swing compared to other pitchers' sinkers. His change has surprising cut action, results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers' changeups, has slightly below average velo and has some natural sink to it. His curve (take this with a grain of salt because he's only thrown 13 of them in 2016) is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers' curves, is an extreme flyball pitch compared to other pitchers' curves and has little depth.
how hard does he throw? what other pitches does he throw?
ReplyDeleteSteve
Steve -
ReplyDeleteThe pitches are shown in the Brooks Baseball insert at the end of the post.
Fangraphs lists him in the high 80s
It is OK we have this new pitcher. This club, however, uses marginal fellas like him far too often, unlike clubs that really seek to win a World Series like the Bosox. I did an article for tomorrow that addresses that conceptually
ReplyDeleteI hope BVV means a course change in this regard - I want to WIN
Tom -
ReplyDeleteFor me, the O'Rourke pick has all upside.
1. He is a lefty
2. In the past, he was a successful lefty
3. We need lefties
Means nothing if it doesn't pay off.
Means everything if it does.
Let the scrap-heap picking begin. In the words of "The Who", "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."
ReplyDeleteMack, I agree...but the philosophy of using 10 guys for a total of 200 innings at the major league level in a season with a combined ERA of 7.50 has to be expunged from this team's idea of acceptability.
ReplyDeleteI just post the news.
ReplyDeleteThe poster of True News!
ReplyDeleteA nice lottery ticket......could pay off big, or not.
ReplyDeleteI am OK with this IF it doesn't take the place of a more established
pitcher acquisition (i.e. being savvy versus being cheap).
Mike, the COO has told reporters that upgrading the offense is the task this winter. He spoke of BVW knowing what they want payroll to be and that there is room in said payroll for “major” upgrades. If these upgrades are Donaldson and Ramos along with three relievers, then YES! If these are Kurt Suzuki, Adam Jones and three relievers, then...
DeleteI agree TGCC.......lots of chatter about being aggressive, from Jeff Wilpon of all people!
ReplyDeleteIn my book, talk is nice but I want to see it actually happen (the aggressive part).
I like the thought of Donaldson and Ramos as a first course, if you will.