Tom Eshelman

[wildcard]

We haven't  talked much about this guy.   Here is a profile:

 

Age 26 on June 20th.    6'3"   210 lbs

Baseball America College All American with Cal State Fullerton in 2013.

Mike Elias drafted him on the 2nd round (46th pick in the draft) of the 2015 draft for the Astros.

MLB.com had him as the 99 best prospect of 2015.

Traded by the Astros  to the Phillies along with 4 others for Ken Giles after the 2015 season.

2017 :  Went  13-3  2.40 ERA in 23 starts, 150 IP, only walking 18 and striking 102, 0.973 WHIP at AA and AAA

Traded to the O's June 9, 2019 for international  bonus slot money

[Enjoy Terror]

Fangraphs 2019 Pitch Summary: 

FA:26%

SL:22%

SI:20%

CH:18%

CU:15%

[Sports Guy]

The only thing stat his MiL career that looks remotely promising is his BB rate.

But overall, there is nothing in his profile that should make anyone think he is much more than a AAAA player.

 

[jamalshw]

I don't really expect him to be much more than a swing guy and/or depth option for teams in AAA in the long run, but this season is all about chances for the Orioles. I wouldn't mind seeing him given a chance as a No.5 starter or bullpen option. I expect he's ultimately replaced when the team starts promoting its pitching prospects, but I'd rather see if a 26 year old that doesn't walk many than some other options.

[Tony-OH]

He gets by on pure guile and pitchability which is actually amazing to watch. His plus command and ability to change speeds helps him have success, but his lack of movement and velocity on all of his pitches makes him pitch with  a very thin margin of error. 

Check out his baseball savant page and look at movement! Yikes. 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/thomas-eshelman-664045?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

He's ok as a mopup guy or occasional starter because he can eats some innings but you have to be prepared for when his command isn't there because it's going to be a fireworks show. 

[SteveA]

38 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

He gets by on pure guile and pitchability which is actually amazing to watch. His plus command and ability to change speeds helps him have success, but his lack of movement and velocity on all of his pitches makes him pitch with  a very thin margin of error. 

Check out his baseball savant page and look at movement! Yikes. 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/thomas-eshelman-664045?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

He's ok as a mopup guy or occasional starter because he can eats some innings but you have to be prepared for when his command isn't there because it's going to be a fireworks show. 

And that's just the type of pitcher who can look really effective in preseason games.  Batters in preseason are up their to get their hacks, they will take a walk if it's handed to them, but they aren't going to lay off the borderline stuff just out of the strike zone like they would in a game that counts 

In a game that counts the best hitters in the world WILL lay off pitches just outside the zone and force the guy with a mediocre fastball to get more of the plate.  And of course in a regular season game they will have a detailed scouting report on Eshelman before the game.  I doubt that happens in exhibition games.

 

[Sports Guy]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Baltimore_Orioles_Opening_Day_starting_pitchers
 

need to research the early guys but I would say he’s definitely the worst since at least the early 60s.

[interloper]

FWIW he had the best curveball I've seen from him in his last start, and it might be one of the better curves in camp. But I'm not sure he can throw it like that consistently. He's fun to watch when he's on, but it's kind of a dice roll. 

[murph]

22 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

He gets by on pure guile and pitchability which is actually amazing to watch. His plus command and ability to change speeds helps him have success, but his lack of movement and velocity on all of his pitches makes him pitch with  a very thin margin of error. 

Check out his baseball savant page and look at movement! Yikes. 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/thomas-eshelman-664045?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

He's ok as a mopup guy or occasional starter because he can eats some innings but you have to be prepared for when his command isn't there because it's going to be a fireworks show. 

That watch a random video feature is really interesting.   Somewhat addicting, especially when you chose a pitcher like Gerrit Cole to watch. 

[DrungoHazewood]

On 7/21/2020 at 9:35 AM, Sports Guy said:

The only thing stat his MiL career that looks remotely promising is his BB rate.

But overall, there is nothing in his profile that should make anyone think he is much more than a AAAA player.

Between AA and AAA he's allowed five runs a game.  AAAA means he's done well in AAA but can't hack it in the majors.  He did well in AAA in 2017, but that's basically the only time as a pro he's looked like a prospect.  And even then his K rate was low.

[Aristotelian]

His minor league numbers are worse than Tyler Wilson.

[Sports Guy]

2 hours ago, DrungoHazewood said:

Between AA and AAA he's allowed five runs a game.  AAAA means he's done well in AAA but can't hack it in the majors.  He did well in AAA in 2017, but that's basically the only time as a pro he's looked like a prospect.  And even then his K rate was low.

I was trying to be nice.

[wildcard]

Eshelman 2019 at AAA.

  3-2    3.92 ERA  11 G, 10 S,   64.1 IP,  66 H,  12 BB, 51 SO,  1.213 WHIP

[weams]

11 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Eshelman 2019 at AAA.

  3-2    3.92 ERA  11 G, 10 S,   64.1 IP,  66 H,  12 BB, 51 SO,  1.213 WHIP

Do you consider that a good AAA season?

[SteveA]

43 minutes ago, weams said:

Do you consider that a good AAA season?

Last year, when they used the MLB ball and the run scoring environment was way up, yeah, I think that's pretty good.