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2/2/22

Player Profile - Eric Orze

Eric Orze - MiLB.com

Background: 

Eric Orze, Relief Pitcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 8/21/1997 in Elk Grove, IL; USA; 6'4", 195 pounds; Drafted by the New York Mets 2020 June Amateur Draft - Round: 5, Pick: 19, Overall: 150 from University of New Orleans (New Orleans, LA).; Not Rule 5 eligible until December 2023.

Talk about someone that is easy to root for, Eric Orze survived two bouts of cancer which caused him to miss all of 2019 College season.  Then, in 2020, he puts up solid numbers - 3-0, 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings.  This caused the Mets to draft him with one of their 6 picks in the 2020 draft.

When drafted, Bleacher Report had this quote from Mets vice president of international and amateur scouting Tommy Tanous: "This is a kid that will not quit. He really won't. Our scouts fell in love with his split-finger, to tell you the truth. He throws a heavy, heavy fastball and he uses that split as his out pitch, his strikeout pitch...this is a high-makeup kid, high-quality kid who happens to have a really gifted pitch."

At the time of the Draft, Mack noted: "A nice pick but a money save pick as well."  Eric signed with the Mets for $20,000.  

From the 6 players drafted in 2020, only JT Ginn, and Eric Orze remain.  Pete Crow-Armstrong was traded for Javier Baez.  Matt Dyer was traded for Rich Hill.  Isiah Greene was part of the deal for Francisco Lindor.  Anthony Walters was released.   

In 2021, his first season on professional ball, Eric shot up the ranks going from Brooklyn to Binghamton to Syracuse all in the same year.  At each level, he seemed to get better  - 1-2, 4.05 ERA in Brooklyn, 2-0, 2.60 ERA in Binghamton 25 Ks - just 1 walk!) and 1-0, 2.19 ERA in Syracuse.  Overall in 49.2 innings he went 4-2, 3.08 ERA, 67 Ks, 14 walks.

Joe DeMayo SNY.TV 6 Mets prospects who can make an impact in 2022: "In a small sample size of 12.1 innings in Triple-A, Orze had a ridiculous 43.5 percent whiff rate. Of his 34 appearances, 16 of them were more than one inning, so he is already experienced in a multi-inning reliever role. I think Orze has a bright future as a solid middle reliever who can give you a couple of innings in a game if you need it."

Rising Apple: NY Mets prospect Eric Orze has the stuff to become a future closer.

Tom Brennan at Mack's Mets has him as the #10 Mets Prospect saying: "he has a dandy splitter and had a mighty fine A - AA - AAA progression in this debut season.   12 Ks per 9 IP, too.  Based on that, I see no reason he won't be in the Mets' pen in 2022."

Mets.com has Eric Orze as their #26 Prospect.

Amazing Avenue has Eric as their #13 Prospect.

Prospects Live has Eric as the Mets #7 Prospect.

Prospects 1500.com has Eric as the #24 Prospect.

The Mets may go out and sign some more relief pitchers when the lockout ends.  Even so, Eric Orze could be part of the 2022 staff - possibly - out of Spring Training.

Eric Orze’s Baseball Savant page. 

Eric Orze’s FANGRAPHS page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -



Videos and Audio:

Before each Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, Announcer Jacob Wilkins interviews the Rumble Pony players, coaches, and staff.  Below is an interview he did in 2021 with Eric Orze. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  













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6 comments:

  1. RawFebruary 2, 2022 at 2:27 PM

    report to camp. If lockout is still on can pitchers who are minor leaguers not on 40 man roster report. These are players trying to make the major league team in spring training. Such as Orze.

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  2. Tom BrennanFebruary 2, 2022 at 2:34 PM

    Orze Absolutely looked like a guy I'd want out of the Mets' bullpen righteous of the gate. He has a superior reliever's repertoire.

    Frankly, why wait? He looks like a major leaguer.

    If they hold him back briefly, I doubt it will be long at all for him to debut. I saw nothing to think he won't debut by May.

    I do not like the look of that heavy ball throw exercise. Seems like it could lead to injury - but I am not a trainer. Maybe I'm 100% wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  3. John From AlbanyFebruary 2, 2022 at 2:54 PM

    Tom - Maybe those workouts has helped Eric get stronger these past years. Let's hope.

    Raw - All minor league players will be reporting as normal. Per Ernest Dove, some are already in camp.

    ReplyDelete
  4. TexasGusCCFebruary 3, 2022 at 10:01 AM

    Something that shook me a bit in that interview: “if I come in with second and third and no outs, my job is the get the next three guys out and if those guys score, they score.” I need time to digest that because while it doesn’t sound right at first, maybe it’s the mindset, but, it just doesn’t sound team oriented. He makes a good point later in saying that he was all about himself… appears that way.

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  5. Tom BrennanFebruary 3, 2022 at 12:14 PM

    Gus, the game of sacrificing oneself for the team to win more has evolved into, how do I maximize my stats so I get paid more in the future. Those 2 scoring runners are not impacting the reliever's ERA, and if there is no blown save, it sails under radar. When a reliever gives up 2 runs, it really impacts his ERA. That is to be avoided at all costs. That would be Scott Boras's advice, I think.

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  6. John From AlbanyFebruary 3, 2022 at 12:35 PM

    Think it is more an issue on trying to focus on the job at hand - get the batter out. I don't think it is out of selfishness.

    ReplyDelete