Logan Gilbert is college RHP for Stetson with classic pitcher size listed at 6'6", 207 lbs. on the Stetson website. He backed up a terrific sophomore college season with a strong effort in the Cape Cod League and has joined the conversation about who might be the top college pitcher in the 2018 draft. First, the stat lines:
2016(College): 2-1, 2.74, 49.1 IP, 27 BB, 43 K.
2017(College): 10-0, 2.02, 89 IP, 27 BB, 107 K.
2017(CCL): 2-2, 1.93, 31.1 IP, 4 BB, 24 K.
Scouting reports have Gilbert's 3-pitch mix fronted by a FB that goes 93-96 MPH. On Video, he gets great extension on his delivery reminiscent of Madison Bumgarner with long and loose arm action. The FB explodes in the top of the strike zone and on the the armside corner with running action. I can't say I saw any secondary pitches on video. His drop and drive delivery with a long stride combined with his length allows him to release the ball significantly closer to home plate than the average pitcher.
I can see a reasonable debate, Gilbert vs Brady Singer for top college pitcher in the draft. I think Singer has better present stuff and has pitched against stronger competition and on bigger stages. He's the guy who is most likely to make the quickest impact a the MLB level. Gilbert is more of a project with a need to develop his secondary stuff, but may ultimately have a higher ceiling than Singer. The risk with Gilbert is he does not take then next steps in development. The risk with Singer is he ends up a reliever.
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DrB's Updated 2018 Draft Board:
1. Seth Beer, OF/1B, College(Clemson).
2. Jarred Kelenic, OF, HS.
3. Nander De Sedas, SS, HS.
4. Kumar Rocker, RHP, HS.
5. Ethan Hankins, RHP, HS.
6. Brady Singer, RHP, College(Florida).
7. Logan Gilbert, RHP, College(Stetson).
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8. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, HS.
9. Nolan Gorman, 3B, HS.
10. Greyson Jenista, OF/1B, College(Wichita St.).
11. Casey Mize, RHP, College(Auburn).
12. Nick Madrigal, 2B, College(Oregon St.).
13. Shane McClanahan, LHP, College(Univ. of South Florida).
14. Ryan Rolison, LHP, College(Mississippi).
15. Griffin Conine, OF, College(Duke).
16. Brice Turang, SS, HS.
Friday, December 1, 2017
Hot Stove Update: Giancarlo Rumors Heating Up
Craig Mish of Sirius XM Radio dropped a pretty big rumor yesterday that 3 members of the Giants management team, Brian Sabean, Bobby Evans and Bruce Bochy flew to Los Angeles to meet with representatives for Giancarlo Stanton. Nobody is disputing this story, so we'll assume it is true. A follow up tweet from someone named Joe Frisaro says this meeting does not mean a trade is imminent which means that Frisaro agrees the meeting either took place or will take place. This is a significant development since the Marlins would. have to OK any such meeting and they likely would not approve it unless a tentative trade is in place.
So wow! Not sure where to start with this. I'll start with the thought that it is probably no accident that this meeting comes to light within a day of rumors that Stanton had expressed doubts about the future competitiveness of the Giants. The purpose of the meeting is likely to give the Giants executives a chance to convince him they have a plan to remain competitive or even dominant despite carrying the majority of his contract. In Stanton's mind, that likely means they are not going to dump veteran players like Johnny Cueto or Jeff Samardzija or even Brandon Belt and that they can and will also extend Madison Bumgarner's contract which means the Giants are likely to have to tell him they are willing to live significantly above the Competitive Balance Tax(CBT) line.
Stanton's representatives may also ask for compensation for waiving his no-trade clause, and for moving from a from a low tax state to a high tax state. Of course, he would have the same issue with his rumored preferred destination, the Dodgers. My guess is a guarantee of the team option for 2028 would get past that hurdle and I cannot imagine the Giants allow the trade to get blocked by refusing that request.
It's still hard to believe the Giants can pull this deal off. We've seen this movie before when they sent a delegation to meet with Jon Lester, so we know things can still go awry. It does seem like we have to move the needle on the Giancarlo meter from unlikely to at least a serious possibility. We know the Marlins want to trade him to get that contract off their backs. We know the Giants need and want him and are willing to take on most or all of his contract. It appears the Giants are the most likely of several potential interested teams and the only one we know about that has gotten this far in the discussions.
At this point, I'll give the Giants even odds against the field of being Giancarlo Stanton's employer in 2018 and beyond.
So wow! Not sure where to start with this. I'll start with the thought that it is probably no accident that this meeting comes to light within a day of rumors that Stanton had expressed doubts about the future competitiveness of the Giants. The purpose of the meeting is likely to give the Giants executives a chance to convince him they have a plan to remain competitive or even dominant despite carrying the majority of his contract. In Stanton's mind, that likely means they are not going to dump veteran players like Johnny Cueto or Jeff Samardzija or even Brandon Belt and that they can and will also extend Madison Bumgarner's contract which means the Giants are likely to have to tell him they are willing to live significantly above the Competitive Balance Tax(CBT) line.
Stanton's representatives may also ask for compensation for waiving his no-trade clause, and for moving from a from a low tax state to a high tax state. Of course, he would have the same issue with his rumored preferred destination, the Dodgers. My guess is a guarantee of the team option for 2028 would get past that hurdle and I cannot imagine the Giants allow the trade to get blocked by refusing that request.
It's still hard to believe the Giants can pull this deal off. We've seen this movie before when they sent a delegation to meet with Jon Lester, so we know things can still go awry. It does seem like we have to move the needle on the Giancarlo meter from unlikely to at least a serious possibility. We know the Marlins want to trade him to get that contract off their backs. We know the Giants need and want him and are willing to take on most or all of his contract. It appears the Giants are the most likely of several potential interested teams and the only one we know about that has gotten this far in the discussions.
At this point, I'll give the Giants even odds against the field of being Giancarlo Stanton's employer in 2018 and beyond.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Fantasy Focus: Impact Rookies- Brent Honeywell
Brent Honeywell was probably ready to pitch in the major leagues sometime last year, but the Rays are notorious for taking is slow with their prospects, especially pitching prospects. Honeywell spend most of 2017 in AAA Durham where he put up terrific numbers: 12-8, 3.64, 123.2 IP, 11.06 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, 2.84 FIP, 2.77 xFIP. Honeywell was drafted in round 2 of the 2014 draft out of JC ball and has marched up the Rays farm system. He has an average pitcher's build at 6'2", 180 lbs. While he does not have eye-popping velocity, he succeeds with excellent command of a somewhat unconventional 3-pitch mix, FB, screwball and changeup with a curveball that has potential. Yes, you read that right. He main secondary pitch is a screwball which he learned from his father who is Mike Marshall's cousin. Yeah, THAT Mike Marshall!
The screwball and changeup both move away from LH batters and in to RH batters, so the concern with Honeywell is whether he will have a strong reverse split and whether he needs more time to develop a pitch that moves away from RH batters. If I remember correctly, Mike Marshall didn't let that bother him and just threw the screwball at the back foot of RH batters. That's an interesting sub-story with Honeywell.
The Rays will likely make him start 2018 back in AAA until they have an extra year of control on his contract, but he will almost certainly be up by mid-season and should be rostered in most fantasy baseball formats.
The screwball and changeup both move away from LH batters and in to RH batters, so the concern with Honeywell is whether he will have a strong reverse split and whether he needs more time to develop a pitch that moves away from RH batters. If I remember correctly, Mike Marshall didn't let that bother him and just threw the screwball at the back foot of RH batters. That's an interesting sub-story with Honeywell.
The Rays will likely make him start 2018 back in AAA until they have an extra year of control on his contract, but he will almost certainly be up by mid-season and should be rostered in most fantasy baseball formats.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Scouting the 2018 Draft: Ryan Rolison
Ryan Rolison is a draft eligible college sophomore LHP from Ole Miss. He's close to perfect size for a pitcher listed at 6'3", 200 lbs. He started off his freshman year pitching in the bullpen but moved into the rotation as the season progressed and was Ole Miss' best pitcher by the end of the college season. He followed that up with a terrific Cape Cod League performance and is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign and possible first round MLB draft stock. Here are his 2017 stat lines:
2017(College): 6-3, 3.06, 61.2 IP, 24 BB, 64 K.
2017(CCL): 6-0, 1.54, 28 IP, 11 BB, 35 K.
One scouting report has his FB 89-93 and sitting at 91. Another says his velocity ticked up toward the end of the CCL season reaching 94-95 consistently when he needed something extra. His delivery is low-moderate effort which makes scouts think he can reach back for more when he needs to. The delivery is a smooth and clean with a 3/4 arm slot reminiscent of Madison Bumgarner with a little less sweeping motion. He commands the FB on both sides of the plate. Some scouts think his best pitch is a 2-8 slurve. His change up is rated as a work in progress, but I saw one on a video that had nice sink and a bit of a tail on the outside corner to a RH batter. His goals for 2018 should be to lower his walk rate by about 0.5-1 BB/9.
My take: He does not have quite enough stuff to be a top of the draft prospect, but could be a nice high floor pick late in the first round or early second round.
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DrB's Updated 2018 Draft Board:
1. Seth Beer, OF/1B, College(Clemson).
2. Jarred Kelenic, OF, HS.
3. Nander De Sedas, SS, HS.
4. Kumar Rocker, RHP, HS.
5. Ethan Hankins, RHP, HS.
6. Brady Singer, RHP, College(Florida).
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7. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, HS.
8. Nolan Gorman, 3B, HS.
9. Greyson Jenista, OF/1B, College(Wichita St).
10. Casey Mize, RHP, College(Auburn).
11. Nick Madrigal, 2B, College(Oregon St.).
12. Shane McClanahan, LHP, College(Univ. of South Florida).
13. Ryan Rolison, LHP, College(Mississippi).
14. Griffin Conine, OF, College(Duke).
15. Brice Turang, SS, HS.
2017(College): 6-3, 3.06, 61.2 IP, 24 BB, 64 K.
2017(CCL): 6-0, 1.54, 28 IP, 11 BB, 35 K.
One scouting report has his FB 89-93 and sitting at 91. Another says his velocity ticked up toward the end of the CCL season reaching 94-95 consistently when he needed something extra. His delivery is low-moderate effort which makes scouts think he can reach back for more when he needs to. The delivery is a smooth and clean with a 3/4 arm slot reminiscent of Madison Bumgarner with a little less sweeping motion. He commands the FB on both sides of the plate. Some scouts think his best pitch is a 2-8 slurve. His change up is rated as a work in progress, but I saw one on a video that had nice sink and a bit of a tail on the outside corner to a RH batter. His goals for 2018 should be to lower his walk rate by about 0.5-1 BB/9.
My take: He does not have quite enough stuff to be a top of the draft prospect, but could be a nice high floor pick late in the first round or early second round.
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DrB's Updated 2018 Draft Board:
1. Seth Beer, OF/1B, College(Clemson).
2. Jarred Kelenic, OF, HS.
3. Nander De Sedas, SS, HS.
4. Kumar Rocker, RHP, HS.
5. Ethan Hankins, RHP, HS.
6. Brady Singer, RHP, College(Florida).
_________________________________________________________________________________
7. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, HS.
8. Nolan Gorman, 3B, HS.
9. Greyson Jenista, OF/1B, College(Wichita St).
10. Casey Mize, RHP, College(Auburn).
11. Nick Madrigal, 2B, College(Oregon St.).
12. Shane McClanahan, LHP, College(Univ. of South Florida).
13. Ryan Rolison, LHP, College(Mississippi).
14. Griffin Conine, OF, College(Duke).
15. Brice Turang, SS, HS.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Scouting the 2017 Draft: Later Rounds Part 2
119. Marlins: Colton Hock, RHP, College(Stanford). R: 0-1, 7.00, 9 IP, 0 BB, 10 K. SS: 1-3, 6.62, 17.2 IP, 12 BB, 13 K. Hock was a polarizing prospect. I had him ranked lower than some others. Rough start to pro career. Grade D.
120. Royals: Michael Gigliotti, OF, College. R: .329/.482/.477, 3 HR, 15 SB, 16.8 BB%, 11.0 K%, 191 PA. A: .302/.378/.419, HR, 7 SB, 8.0 BB%, 20.0 K%, 100 PA. Gigliotti's stock dropped dramatically with a brutal junior season. He continued to thrive as a pro after an aggressive promotion to A ball. Grade A.
121. Astros: Peter Solomon, RHP, College(Notre Dame). Pitched just 1 inning as a pro. Grade: Incomplete.
135. Cubs: Erich Uelman, RHP, College(Cal Poly). SS: 0-2, 2.04, 17.2 IP, 9 BB, 23 K. Grade B.
149. Marlins: Ryan Lillie, RHP, College(UC Riverside): SS: 0-5, 4.35, 31 IP, 5 BB, 27 K. Grade B.
153. Mariners: David Banuelos, C, College(Long Beach St.): SS: .236/.331/.394, 4 HR, 11 BB%, 27.4 K%, 146 PA. Grade C+.
161. Alex Scherff, RHP, HS. DNP. Scherff's stock dropped pre-draft. I still liked him. Grade Incomplete.
163. Nationals: Brigham Hill, RHP, College(Texas). SS: 0-1, 2.63, 13.2 IP, 3 BB, 9 K. A: 0-1, 6.07, 29.2 IP, 5 BB, 30 K. Aggressive promotion to A ball. ERA was high, but ratios look good. Grade B.
166. Twins: Ricky De La Torre, SS, HS. R: .268/.341/.359, 3 HR, 5 SB, 9.4 BB%, 22.9 K%, 120 PA. I had De La Torre as a first round talent all the way up to draft day. Twins grab him at top of 6'th round and sign him with $500K bonus. I'll be watching this one closely in future seasons. Grade B on performance, but could be the steal of the draft.
207. White Sox: Evan Skoug, C, College(TCU). R: .529/.600/.882, 20 PA. A: .154/.263/.308, 76 PA. Stock dropped after brutal junior season. Aggressive promotion to A ball might have been a bridge too far?
210. Royals: Brewer Hicklen, OF, College. R: .299/.384/.471, HR, 3 SB, 9.1 BB%, 27.2 K%, 99 PA. R: .348/.439/.609, 3 HR, 13 SB, 11.0 BB%, 29.3 K%, 82 PA. College sleeper. Nice numbers but too low levels. Grade B.
214. Cardinals: Chase Pinder, OF, College(Clemson). R: .320/.442/.438, 3 HR, 5 SB, 209 PA. Nice numbers. Level too low. Grade B.
225. Cubs: Ricky Tyler Thomas, LHP, College(Fresno St). SS: 1-0, 2.33, 19.1 IP, 13 BB, 24 K. Too many walks. Grade B-.
232. D'Backs: Tim Susanna, C, College(Oregon). SS: .210/.329/.282, 13.7 BB%, 24.7 K%, 146 PA. Grade D+.
252. Indians: Eli Morgan, RHP, College(Gonzaga). DNP. Grade Incomplete.
261. A's: Jared Poche, LHP, College(LSU). DNP. Grade Incomplete.
363. Marlins: Darren McCaughan, RHP, College(Long Beach St.). R: 0-1, 3.75, 12 IP, 3 BB, 18 K. Grade B.
550. Dodgers: Max Gamboa, RHP, College(Pepperdine). 1 IP. Grade Incomplete.
120. Royals: Michael Gigliotti, OF, College. R: .329/.482/.477, 3 HR, 15 SB, 16.8 BB%, 11.0 K%, 191 PA. A: .302/.378/.419, HR, 7 SB, 8.0 BB%, 20.0 K%, 100 PA. Gigliotti's stock dropped dramatically with a brutal junior season. He continued to thrive as a pro after an aggressive promotion to A ball. Grade A.
121. Astros: Peter Solomon, RHP, College(Notre Dame). Pitched just 1 inning as a pro. Grade: Incomplete.
135. Cubs: Erich Uelman, RHP, College(Cal Poly). SS: 0-2, 2.04, 17.2 IP, 9 BB, 23 K. Grade B.
149. Marlins: Ryan Lillie, RHP, College(UC Riverside): SS: 0-5, 4.35, 31 IP, 5 BB, 27 K. Grade B.
153. Mariners: David Banuelos, C, College(Long Beach St.): SS: .236/.331/.394, 4 HR, 11 BB%, 27.4 K%, 146 PA. Grade C+.
161. Alex Scherff, RHP, HS. DNP. Scherff's stock dropped pre-draft. I still liked him. Grade Incomplete.
163. Nationals: Brigham Hill, RHP, College(Texas). SS: 0-1, 2.63, 13.2 IP, 3 BB, 9 K. A: 0-1, 6.07, 29.2 IP, 5 BB, 30 K. Aggressive promotion to A ball. ERA was high, but ratios look good. Grade B.
166. Twins: Ricky De La Torre, SS, HS. R: .268/.341/.359, 3 HR, 5 SB, 9.4 BB%, 22.9 K%, 120 PA. I had De La Torre as a first round talent all the way up to draft day. Twins grab him at top of 6'th round and sign him with $500K bonus. I'll be watching this one closely in future seasons. Grade B on performance, but could be the steal of the draft.
207. White Sox: Evan Skoug, C, College(TCU). R: .529/.600/.882, 20 PA. A: .154/.263/.308, 76 PA. Stock dropped after brutal junior season. Aggressive promotion to A ball might have been a bridge too far?
210. Royals: Brewer Hicklen, OF, College. R: .299/.384/.471, HR, 3 SB, 9.1 BB%, 27.2 K%, 99 PA. R: .348/.439/.609, 3 HR, 13 SB, 11.0 BB%, 29.3 K%, 82 PA. College sleeper. Nice numbers but too low levels. Grade B.
214. Cardinals: Chase Pinder, OF, College(Clemson). R: .320/.442/.438, 3 HR, 5 SB, 209 PA. Nice numbers. Level too low. Grade B.
225. Cubs: Ricky Tyler Thomas, LHP, College(Fresno St). SS: 1-0, 2.33, 19.1 IP, 13 BB, 24 K. Too many walks. Grade B-.
232. D'Backs: Tim Susanna, C, College(Oregon). SS: .210/.329/.282, 13.7 BB%, 24.7 K%, 146 PA. Grade D+.
252. Indians: Eli Morgan, RHP, College(Gonzaga). DNP. Grade Incomplete.
261. A's: Jared Poche, LHP, College(LSU). DNP. Grade Incomplete.
363. Marlins: Darren McCaughan, RHP, College(Long Beach St.). R: 0-1, 3.75, 12 IP, 3 BB, 18 K. Grade B.
550. Dodgers: Max Gamboa, RHP, College(Pepperdine). 1 IP. Grade Incomplete.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Scouting the 2017 Draft: Later Rounds
We'll continue our early returns series on the 2017 draft with some selected reviews of players on my draft board and others I profiled late in the cycle. Again, grades are based on current performance and level of play only. Listed by overall draft number:
72. Pirates: Connor Uselton, OF, HS. R: 3 for 7. Uselton's stock dropped as the draft approached. I still liked him as a late first rounder or early second rounder. Grade Incomplete.
74. Orioles: Zac Lowther, LHP, College(Xavier). SS: 2-2, 1.66, 54.1 IP, 12.42 K/9, 1.82 BB/9. I thought Lowther might make a good Giants pick as he dominated the Cape Cod League. He's off to a terrific start for the O's. Grade A.
76. Twins: Blayne Enlow, RHP, HS. R: 3-0, 1.33, 20.1 IP, 8.41 K/9, 1.77 BB/9. Enlow was another kid who seemed like a reasonable late first or early second round choice. He fell to the top of the 3'rd round and did well. Grade A.
77. Reds: Jacob Heatherly, LHP, HS. R: 0-1, 12.00, 9 IP, 5.00 K/9, 4.00 BB/9.
R: 2-1, 2.93, 30.2 IP, 7.63 K/9, 4.70 BB/9. Pitchability HS lefty. ERA looks OK but the ratios are ugly. Grade C.
81. A's: Nick Allen, SS, HS. R: .254/.322/.326, HR, 7 SB, 8.4 BB%, 18.2 K%, 154 PA. Undersized defensive SS. Hard to judge defense at these levels. Grade C(could be higher depending on how his D grades out).
83. Phillies: Conner Seabold, RHP, College(CS Fullerton). SS: 2-0, 0.90, 10 IP, 2 BB, 13 K. SSS, but you work with what you've got. Grade A.
84. Brewers: KJ Harrison, C, College(Oregon St.). R: .308/.388/.546, 10 HR, 10.7 BB%, 25.7 K%. Great numbers, but a draftee from the Pac 12 has no business playing in rookie ball. Grade C+.
87. White Sox: Luis Gonzalez, OF, College(New Mexico). A: .245/.356/.361, 2 HR, 2 SB, 13.7 BB%, 18.1 K%, 277 PA. Aggressive placement. Decent numbers. Grade: B.
97. Mets: Quinn Brodey, OF, College(Stanford). SS: .257/.303/.348, 2 HR, 10 SB, 6.1 BB%, 21.5 K%, 228 PA. Grade C+.
99. Blue Jays: Riley Adams, C, College(San Diego). SS: .305/.374/.438, 3 HR, 7.9 BB%, 22 K%, 227 PA. Grade A-.
100. Dodgers: Conner Wong, C, College(Houston). A: .278/.336/.495, 5 HR, 6.5 BB%, 24.3 K%, 107 PA. Aggressive placement. Grade B+.
105. Cubs: Keegan Thompson, RHP, College(Auburn). SS: 1-2, 2.37, 19 IP, 4 BB, 23 K. Grade A.
72. Pirates: Connor Uselton, OF, HS. R: 3 for 7. Uselton's stock dropped as the draft approached. I still liked him as a late first rounder or early second rounder. Grade Incomplete.
74. Orioles: Zac Lowther, LHP, College(Xavier). SS: 2-2, 1.66, 54.1 IP, 12.42 K/9, 1.82 BB/9. I thought Lowther might make a good Giants pick as he dominated the Cape Cod League. He's off to a terrific start for the O's. Grade A.
76. Twins: Blayne Enlow, RHP, HS. R: 3-0, 1.33, 20.1 IP, 8.41 K/9, 1.77 BB/9. Enlow was another kid who seemed like a reasonable late first or early second round choice. He fell to the top of the 3'rd round and did well. Grade A.
77. Reds: Jacob Heatherly, LHP, HS. R: 0-1, 12.00, 9 IP, 5.00 K/9, 4.00 BB/9.
R: 2-1, 2.93, 30.2 IP, 7.63 K/9, 4.70 BB/9. Pitchability HS lefty. ERA looks OK but the ratios are ugly. Grade C.
81. A's: Nick Allen, SS, HS. R: .254/.322/.326, HR, 7 SB, 8.4 BB%, 18.2 K%, 154 PA. Undersized defensive SS. Hard to judge defense at these levels. Grade C(could be higher depending on how his D grades out).
83. Phillies: Conner Seabold, RHP, College(CS Fullerton). SS: 2-0, 0.90, 10 IP, 2 BB, 13 K. SSS, but you work with what you've got. Grade A.
84. Brewers: KJ Harrison, C, College(Oregon St.). R: .308/.388/.546, 10 HR, 10.7 BB%, 25.7 K%. Great numbers, but a draftee from the Pac 12 has no business playing in rookie ball. Grade C+.
87. White Sox: Luis Gonzalez, OF, College(New Mexico). A: .245/.356/.361, 2 HR, 2 SB, 13.7 BB%, 18.1 K%, 277 PA. Aggressive placement. Decent numbers. Grade: B.
97. Mets: Quinn Brodey, OF, College(Stanford). SS: .257/.303/.348, 2 HR, 10 SB, 6.1 BB%, 21.5 K%, 228 PA. Grade C+.
99. Blue Jays: Riley Adams, C, College(San Diego). SS: .305/.374/.438, 3 HR, 7.9 BB%, 22 K%, 227 PA. Grade A-.
100. Dodgers: Conner Wong, C, College(Houston). A: .278/.336/.495, 5 HR, 6.5 BB%, 24.3 K%, 107 PA. Aggressive placement. Grade B+.
105. Cubs: Keegan Thompson, RHP, College(Auburn). SS: 1-2, 2.37, 19 IP, 4 BB, 23 K. Grade A.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Hot Stove Update: Rangers Sign Doug Fister
The Hot Stove, which had nearly frozen over, flickered to life today and whoo boy! A major signing it was!(Just kidding there, team). The Texas Rangers must have decided to fill in their rotation from the back as they signed perennial 5'th starter Doug Fister to a 1 yr/$3.5 M contract with $500 K in incentive bonuses and a team option for $4.5 M with $500 K in more incentives with a $500 K buyout for 2019.
Fister's stock had a bit of a resurgence last year. He originally signed a minor league deal with the Angels last offseason but exercised an opt-out clause on June 21 and signed with the Red Sox where he his average FB velocity, which had been south of 88 MPH for several years ticked up to almost 90 MPH. He also mixed in about 10% more breaking balls than in recent seasons. His line for 2017 was 5-9, 4.88, 90.1 IP, 8.27 K/9, 3.79 BB/9, 50.6 GB%. The K rate increased along with the velocity and may have been helped by the additional use of breaking balls. His FIP and xFIP were almost a run lower than is ERA.
The Rangers get a pitcher who is likely to eat some innings at the back of the rotation. Fister has had his ups and downs as a pitcher, but since 2009 he's had just one season, 2015, in which the dollar value of his performance was less than $9 M which gives the Rangers an excellent chance of getting surplus value from him, which is good as long as they don't have someone better to turn to instead.
Fister's stock had a bit of a resurgence last year. He originally signed a minor league deal with the Angels last offseason but exercised an opt-out clause on June 21 and signed with the Red Sox where he his average FB velocity, which had been south of 88 MPH for several years ticked up to almost 90 MPH. He also mixed in about 10% more breaking balls than in recent seasons. His line for 2017 was 5-9, 4.88, 90.1 IP, 8.27 K/9, 3.79 BB/9, 50.6 GB%. The K rate increased along with the velocity and may have been helped by the additional use of breaking balls. His FIP and xFIP were almost a run lower than is ERA.
The Rangers get a pitcher who is likely to eat some innings at the back of the rotation. Fister has had his ups and downs as a pitcher, but since 2009 he's had just one season, 2015, in which the dollar value of his performance was less than $9 M which gives the Rangers an excellent chance of getting surplus value from him, which is good as long as they don't have someone better to turn to instead.
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