Orioles Acquire Jonathan Heasley from Royals

[24fps]

40 minutes ago, Too Tall said:

If you haven't learned by now, don't underestimate what our guys can do with reclamation projects. Can't win them all, but I ain't betting against them! Let the magic begin. 

After Fuji we’re due.

[Roll Tide]

1 minute ago, 24fps said:

After Flaherty we’re due.

 

[Jim'sKid26]

Interesting guy. Texas native who was a complete stud in HIGH SCHOOL: Went 29-3 with a 1.47 ERA and 310 strikeouts during his career at Prestonwood (Plano, Tx) …  helped lead the Lions to a 35-1 record and state title as a senior … went 13-0 with a 0.33 ERA, allowing only four earned runs in 65 innings of work …  named to Dallas Morning News All-Area First Team in 2016 after earning third-team honors as a junior … 2016 Rawlings-Perfect Game Third-Team All-American and All-Texas Region First Team … also an all-state performer in football ... also recruited by Dallas Baptist, TCU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Texas.

Then he goes to OSU and never lives up to his potential. 2018 at OSU he goes 4-6 with a 5.96 ERA in 80 IP. He does K 79 but walks 38 and gives up 93 hits. He also hit 9 guys and had 9 WP.  

So he gets drafted by the Royals in 13th round in 2018 and does well in A ball in 2019 (20 GS with 8-5 with a 3.12 ERA over 112.2 IP with 120 Ks). Doesn't pitch in 2020. Then goes to AA and has another good year, in 2021. 21 GS, 7-3, 105.1 IP, 120 Ks. But 34 BB and 18 HR allowed, little bit of a red flag but he gets called up anyway for a cup of coffee and throws 14.2 IP for the Royals going 1-1 with an ERA of 4.91 with 15 hits (3 HRs) 6 Ks and 3 BB. So he skips AAA entirely his first time up to the Bigs.

In 2022 he gets an opportunity in the Royals rotation. 21 GS, 4-10 with a 5.28 ERA and 104 IP. He gives up 108 H and 19 HRs, with 70 Ks and 47 BB (6 HBP). He was sent down to AAA where he did not excel; 9 GS 1-2 with 4.35 ERA. 39.1 IP with 35 H, 7 HRs, 10 BB and 45 Ks. that's when they decided to make him a RP.

Baseball Savant says he throws 4 pitches: 4SFB (44.8%), Sweeper (23.5%), CB (21.3%) and CH (10.4%). 

Three things I get from this:

1. He didn't do much in college compared to his HS pedigree. OSU is a well thought of college program but some guys are not cut out for college. Did it hinder his development?

2. Did not going to AAA in 2022 hurt his development? He had a good year in AA in 2021 but he had missed all of 2020 to COVID and had a few red flags in 2021 (HR allowed/BB). Instead of going right into the Royals rotation in 2022 would a year at AAA have been better for his development?

3. He made a change away from a traditional slider to throw a sweeper. He had had success with the slider in the minors. You have to wonder if that was a good move for him. 

Just my $0.02....

[Roll Tide]

1 hour ago, dystopia said:

What’s your issue with it? We didn’t give up anything of value for him. Just a depth move, nothing warranting strong emotions. 

Just another dumpster type move….

[Just Regular]

A fun fluke looking at the Minors numbers - 120 K and 34 BB exactly in 2019 and 2021 seems like quite a longshot to have hit.

Coming back from covid, that 2021 AA performance did lead the Texas League in k-bb (only about 10 qualified pitchers though).    It looks like the AA performance KC liked well enough to give him his cup of coffee without any AAA time.

[Too Tall]

8 minutes ago, Roll Tide said:

Just another dumpster type move….

101 wins was littered with "dumpster" moves.  Just saying. Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DirtyBird]

11 minutes ago, Roll Tide said:

Just another dumpster type move….

Like an Alabama conception

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

1 hour ago, Moose Milligan said:

Let’s wait and see what the Orioles can do with this guy. I’m not mad at this move. 

As long as this move isn't one of the highlights of the off-season. I think Elias is going to make at least one noteworthy trade by spring training.

[oriolediehard]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

Strikes me as the Austin Voth of the Royals.  

Ugh, That's bad!!

[Sports Guy]

1 hour ago, dystopia said:

Amazing we can’t even discuss a comptroller without getting political. A freaking comptroller!

You do know that is a political position, right?

[TonySoprano]

Lierman announced she wanted the O's to get a veteran starter.

John Angelos delivered.

[bpilktree]

24 minutes ago, oriolediehard said:

Ugh, That's bad!!

Voth has an ERA of 3.67 since joining the Orioles.  I don’t think that would be considered bad to me.  

[jabba72]

Props to Jeff Passan for being first to breaking this story.

[wildcard]

Could be a starter or reliever.   Has to spend some time a Norfolk to see what the O's pitching development can do with him.

If Wells is the 5th starter for the 1st half then McDermott, Irvin and Heasley could be battling for the second half starter.  I want Wells back for the playoffs.  I expect  Elias to keep adding.   

Had 30 starts and 143 IP in 2022.

Having an option is important.

Edited December 19, 2023 by wildcard