The Orioles have re-signed right-hander Thomas Eshelman to a minor league contract, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko reports (Twitter link). Eshelman chose to become a free agent last month rather than accept an outright assignment to Baltimore’s Triple-A team.
In his second consecutive year of swingman work for the O’s, Eshelman posted a 3.89 ERA over 34 2/3 innings, starting four of his 10 outings. He had only an 11.2 K%, continuing his near career-long trend of not missing many bats. While Eshelman’s Statcast numbers aren’t anything to write home about, his return to the organization gives the Orioles another option as they figure out their pitching mix. Eshelman’s ability to contribute a spot start is useful, particularly in a rotation that may feature several young hurlers who may still be building up their innings.
Of course, Eshelman is himself only 26 years old, and he was a second-round pick for the Astros in the 2015 draft. He has a 4.22 ERA over 514 1/3 career innings in the minors (with the Orioles, Phillies, and Astros) to go along with his 5.22 ERA, 12.4 K%, and 6.5 BB% in 70 2/3 Major League innings with Baltimore.
I agree Garebear
Looked him up at fangraphs.. Last 2y he’s averaged 85-6mph on his FB, then has a 60 rating on his command. Seems to be a throwback to 70’s and prior type of a guy.. 4 pitch mix and no fb velocity.. Like 95% of the pitchers used to have.
There’s always been a bias against “pitchability” RHP; Jamie Moyer back then, Ryan Yarborough now, are considered the pitchability guys.
Considering where the O’s are in the pitching department, it’s a decent move. Those types tend to develop slowly, and, at 26, Eschelman might just be on the cusp of some achievement. You need 5th starters too. For minimum wage? Why not.
It wasn’t a knock on the guy, like posted.. 95%, or most pitchers from the 70’s back threw sub 90mph at the hardest. Jim Kaat (example) won 280+ games throwing mostly in the mid 80’s and he pitched into the 1980’s as a command/control specialist.
I’ve watched the guy pitch for the last few seasons in Baltimore and yes he is not someone that is going to wow you but he’s be a quality pitcher that fills in at multiple roles i.e spot starter, multiple inning reliever. Can’t have enough pitching options these days.
This guy is an absolute STAR in 1887
He has the 1887 type of name too
Many people on here always criticized the Orioles for any thing they do. This is a good signing for the Orioles. He can pitch as a middle reliever and a spot starter. Yes he doesn’t strike out a lot of batters but he does get consistent outs. So as long as he getting outs who cares how he does it.
The Orioles continue to recycle players, just as they did under Duquette. They can do so because other teams don’t want them. Their version of a “rebuild” is quite different from other organizations. Reference the White Sox for how a rebuild should be done.
The Orioles would have to develop a young core of all-star caliber players, sign them to long term affordable contracts, and then trade them all away, watching them win World Series rings with other teams, while continuing to rebuild, in order to reference the white sox playbook. Why would you want to do that?!
So crucial