Video by E. Tyler Bullock
By ‘Baseball Writer’ Steve Cheeseman Follow @steveccheeseman
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Is Rushing Marcus Stroman a Good Idea?
Prime pitching prospect Marcus Stroman is the pride and joy prospect of the Toronto Blue Jays. The 22 year old out of Medford, New York is front and centre with many media outlets heading into the spring training.
Consider his age, and little professional experience under his hat. Why rush him?
Stroman was drafted 22nd overall in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, after finishing a college career at Duke where he set the school record for strikeouts with 290 (over 222.0 innings).
Marcus Stroman is attempting to be the shortest Starting Pitcher since Tom Gordon at 5 FT 9. The 22 Year Old product from Duke University, and originally hailing from Medford, NY came back from a PED suspension (banned Stimulant from test in Aug of 2012) in the Minors to post a 9 – 5 record in New Hampshire (AA Ball), with an impressive WHIP of 1.128 during 2013. Some scouts have projected him better as a Reliever than Starter, however the franchise has him towing the hill to start the games he is in right now. He was selected 22nd overall in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft. Stroman was ranked as the 27th best prospect according to Baseball America this spring.
Over 2 seasons of minor league ball with A-Class Vancouver, and AA New Hampshire, Stroman has 20 starts in his MiLB time, for a 12-5 record with 152K, and 3.30 ERA in just 131 IP. That’s pretty good.
However, considering he has not yet pitched at the AAA level, and the fact that he is only 22 years old, why rush him?
There is the chance of him getting hammered destroying his confidence, thus, setting him back in his development.
The Jays already have a number of pitchers to choose from going into the season.
Starting Staff – Projected Depth Chart
1. R.A. Dickey
2. Mark Buehrle
4. J.A. Happ
5. Ricky Romero
7. Kyle Drabek
*This is not including the potential signing of coveted free agent pitcher Ervin Santana, who the Jays are said to have a deal with pending other teams offers.*
That being said, there is simply no need to rush him at this point. There will be plenty of time to call him up during the season to fill in for injury, or even when rosters are expanded in September.
There are many pitchers whose careers were set back by rushing them to the majors too quickly.
Blue Jay great Roy Halladay for example. After spending the 1998 – 99 season with the big team at 8 – 7, with a 3.92 ERA, he started the 2000 season with a dismal 4-7 record with a whopper 10.64 ERA.
The result: He was sent back to A-Class ball to rebuild his delivery – and learn how mechanically throw. Since that point, he had a complete Hall of Fame worth career.
How about Ricky Romero? After 3 seasons of good pitching for Romero, including an all-star selection, he simply lost his composure to the point where he’s been in the minors.
Romero has been okay so far in 2014, as he seems like he is on the rebound this spring training.
With Halladay and Romero, that’s one thing. But to a 22 year old prospect that has never seen AAA, let alone major league ball could be a mistake.
I’m not saying that Stroman can’t make an immediate impact on the major league roster. He very well could.
However, considering there are other options for a 4th level this season, why not give him some time in Buffalo to hone and perfect his craft?
Whether Stroman starts the season with Toronto or in Buffalo, I’m willing to bet he is not going to make a difference between finishing at the top or bottom of the AL East for the Canadian Franchise. Yet another reason to send him to the Minors.
Stroman still needs to learn how to duplicate his throwing motion over and over. AAA is a great conduit for this, as the league is very offensive, and many hitters there have seen time in the Majors.
Think of it like this. If you find a diamond, would you not polish it until it’s ready to shine?
Roy Halladay won 148 out of his 205 career wins under the years he played for the Blue Jays. He had a 3.43 ERA in the tough AL East He is the Active Winning Percentage Leader (.661) and will a great chance at making the BBHOF. However the franchise tried to rush him after he impressed with a near no-hitter in his 1st month as a Starter in the Jays Rotation, followed by a solid rookie campaign. “Doc” had to find his mechanics all the way back in A ball with learning how to pitch – before resurfacing in Toronto for a great decade afterwards.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***
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A big thank-you goes out to our ‘Special Guest Writer’ Steve Cheeseman for preparing today’s featured article.
Steve was born and raised in Marystown, Newfoundland – and has been an avid sports enthusiast his entire life. He loves hockey, baseball, and soccer, and continues to play in local leagues where he lives.
However baseball will always be Steve’s favorite sport. He moved to Ontario, Canada in 2001, and currently lives in the nation’s capital of Ottawa with his wife and daughter.
Steve currently writes, blogs, and freelances for several sporting sites. Contact him at any time (365southpaw@gmail.com).
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Tagged: @steveccheeseman on twitter, AL East, baseball america, brandon morrow, chris carpenter, drew hutchison, duke university, ervin santana, j.a. happ, kyle drabek, marcus stroman, r.a. dickey, ricky romero, roy halladay, steve cheeseman, toronto blue jays
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