Indians righty Zach Plesac has hired CAA Sports to represent him, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). The relationship is now reflected in MLBTR’s Agency Database.
Plesac isn’t closing in on any major contractual milestones, but he has certainly raised his profile and with it his potential for earning opportunities of all kinds. The 2016 12th-rounder entered 2019 as a little-known prospect and left it as a potentially significant part of the Indians’ future.
Though he was optioned as part of the Cleveland organization’s coronavirus shuffling, Plesac certainly seems deserving of another full run in the rotation. He earned his way up last year with a dominant run in the upper minors and ultimately delivered 115 2/3 innings of 3.81 ERA ball in the bigs.
To be fair, there are some questions of sustainability. Plesac underwhelmed with 6.9 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and 1.48 HR/9. Statcast identified a massive gap in anticipated (.347 xwOBA) and actual outcomes (.315 wOBA) based upon the quality of contact produced by opposing hitters.
It remains to be seen whether Plesac can recreate the magic — or, perhaps more realistically, continue to make strides to establish himself as a viable long-term rotation piece. But there’s little question he has done enough to earn a longer look.
Who has the better career – Civale or Plesac?
Good question and a good problem to have when you control both for a few more years along with Bieber and Clevinger.
Something tells me it’ll be Plesac. He has slightly better numbers in the minors (he has a better history of missing bats and limiting damage there, while Civale really didn’t strike many guys out until last year). And even if this is the pitcher he actually is, he showed an ability to outperform his peripherals, and some guys are able to do that for a whole career, like Chris Young.
I honestly think it’s a coin flip, and you could make a good case for either one of them.
I think I gave the MLBTR team a poll-worthy question…
Civale, better in all regards including the continually unlisted FIP, xFIP and SIERA.
I’m gonna say Plesac. I like his arm and athleticism more.
Love my athletic pitchers! If a pitcher doesn’t have a hard 6, how will he make it out of the sixth?
Ben Krauth is next
Why? He struggled in AA last year.
I’m more inclined to say Eli Morgan.
Scotty Moss!
Look for the emergence of the next R/L combination pitchers.. Sam Hentges as the southpaw and Tristan McKenzie as the RHSP.. Both are now back to being fully healthy and can impact the club as long RP’s ( more than an inning) while getting experience / becoming ready to contribut to the starting pitching staff at the highest level. This is especially important in what will become a “shootout” feel in a shortened season..
w/r to the ben krauth / eli morgan types in the Indians system.. probably not. The level of skill of major league hitters (bat speed, pitch recognition, controlling the hitting zone, etc) is TOO good..