Orioles sign Kohl Stewart, DFA Marcos Diplan, Diplan clears waivers, outrighted to AAA.

[Tony-OH]

Watching some video of him and his pitches, he mostly gets hurt with sinkers in the middle of the plate. Can flash solid average offspeed, but not consistent. Worth taking a shot on.

[Luke-OH]

I didn’t read too much into these stats because of the small sample size but they match up with my eye test on the pitch.

He could definitely increase the usage of the pitch, especially if used in a relief role.

[Moose Milligan]

I understand taking a shot on a guy like this but I think we all know how this most likely ends up.

[sportsfan8703]

Only 1.75 years older than Diplan. They both have multiple options remaining. Both are former top prospects. Stewart has a much better milb track record and even has some mlb experience. 

This was a smart 1-1 swap. 

[TommyPickles]

This seems like a good pick up.  The more pitchers who could potentially fill a rotation spot, the better.  Fingers crossed.

[interloper]

Stop using the sinker, start using the 4S up in the zone, throw the slider and curve a lot more. Boom: Dylan Bundy.

 

[Luke-OH]

48 minutes ago, interloper said:

Stop using the sinker, start using the 4S up in the zone, throw the slider and curve a lot more. Boom: Dylan Bundy.

 

Doesn’t have the same spin on the 4S fastball, will have to command it better to get similar results.

[Jammer7]

3 minutes ago, Luke-OH said:

Doesn’t have the same spin on the 4S fastball, will have to command it better to get similar results.

What is his 4S spin rate? And, do you see a mechanical adjustment/tweak that can get a better spin rate? Is that something that as a reliever could increase where he could just rear back and let it eat?

[bobmc]

10 hours ago, Moose Milligan said:

I understand taking a shot on a guy like this but I think we all know how this most likely ends up.

He hones his craft with us and goes over to play with Hyun Soo, Straily and others?

[sportsfan8703]

62 MLB IP and he's only given up 6 HR.  So that's a plus.  

[Luke-OH]

1 hour ago, Jammer7 said:

What is his 4S spin rate? And, do you see a mechanical adjustment/tweak that can get a better spin rate? Is that something that as a reliever could increase where he could just rear back and let it eat?

About 2100, vs 2450 for Bundy.

Although Stewart probably has an extra tick or maybe two.

If teams have figured out how to increase fastball spin other than grip substances (which pretty much everyone already uses), it’s not something that I’m aware of. 

The only spin efficiency numbers that are public are the Statcast “active spin” and that doesn’t distinguish 2S/sinkers from 4S fastballs. But there may be a spin efficiency issue, his active spin is listed as 73.6% and the pitch had only 6-7in of vertical rise (not counting the effect of gravity. Drew Smyly who has similar 4S fastball spin axis and spin rate but 92.7% active spin has 9-10 inches of vertical action. 

[mrpennybags]

One fun thing about rooting for a bottom-dweller is every little depth move could have a big impact on how the season goes.

[sportsfan8703]

20 minutes ago, mrpennybags said:

One fun thing about rooting for a bottom-dweller is every little depth move could have a big impact on how the season goes.

There's still a ton of FA out there that will get MLB deals.  That means that teams will have to get rid of players on their 40 man rosters to sign them.  Given our waiver claim position, I expect we'll be in on more pitchers that have options and can go multi innings.  

[sportsfan8703]

Anyone think that Diplan could clear waivers?  

[Luke-OH]

1 minute ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Anyone think that Diplan could clear waivers?  

Only a non competitive team would put a guy like him on the 40 man IMO, so he only has to make it past a few teams.