The Orioles announced Thursday that right-hander Thomas Eshelman has cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment in favor of free agency. He was designated for assignment when the O’s set their roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft and is now able to sign with any club.
Eshelman, 26, posted a solid 3.89 ERA in 34 2/3 innings with the Orioles in 2020, but his numbers beyond that mark are far less encouraging. The 2015 second-rounder managed only 16 strikeouts against nine walks in that time, and he was tagged for seven home runs in that time as well. Eshelman has tallied 70 2/3 innings in the Majors to this point in his still-young career but has punched out just 38 hitters while walking 20. Unlike many low-strikeout hurlers, he’s not at all a ground-ball pitcher, inducing grounders at a 33.6 percent clip against a 41.3 percent fly-ball rate.
In parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level, Eshelman carries a 4.12 ERA with averages of 6.5 strikeouts and just 1.9 walks per nine innings pitched, and he has a pair of minor league options still remaining. That track record and flexibility makes him a sensible depth pickup for a team in need of pitching depth, though he’ll very likely be looking at a minor league pact in free agency.
A new set of pitching coach-eyes. Maybe get Eshelman to sink the ball. Plenty of upside, but hasn’t made any adjustments.
Does he? He looks like a soft tossing control specialist who doesn’t generate many ground balls. Maybe playable as a depth/spot starter. I don’t really see the upside with him.
Depends on ur Rotation. The Braves would have LOVED him last year. If ur team has a Bad Rotation, He is a #4/#5 Starter. On an average team he might be a spot starter.
“Plenty of upside?” Nah. He might be able to latch on somewhere. He might still have a few years of being a journeyman. But it’s more likely he gets a MiLB contract or just an invitation to ST with another team. He’s most likely to be pitching AAA next year.
Blue Jays interested in Eshelmam?
Would be an improvement over 2020 Roark.
It was more along the lines of the usual “Blue Jays to sign everyone” postings but good call.
For 500k vs 12M
Hitters love his hanging curve ball
Aa pitcher
he did a lot better then many MLB pitchers this year
The most important number to understand Eshelman isn’t listed in the article: 86 mph. That’s his average fastball velocity as a right hander. He could turn into a backend starter I guess, but that’s a huge hurdle to overcome.
Didn’t he have like a 20:1 K/BB ratio in college?
per the MLB prospect list in 2016, “To call Eshelman…simply a strike-thrower might be like calling Picasso simply a painter.”
I’m not sure but I saw him pitch in College & his command was amazing. Idk what he was throwing Velocity wise tho.
Pittsburgh Pirates signing all over him, either that or a foreign league.
Bring him home to SoCal. Played for Cal State Fullerton. Angels are a few miles down the road. Callaway might be able to bring back the magic he had at CSUF.