Free agent left-hander Eric Stout is drawing interest from all over the baseball world, with Jon Heyman of The New York Post reporting that the southpaw has interest from clubs in Major League Baseball, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korea Baseball Organization.
Stout, 31 in March, has very limited major league experience, having appeared in three games for the Royals in 2018 and 20 games in 2022, split between the Cubs and Pirates. His 24 2/3 innings have resulted in an unsightly earned run average of 7.30, though in a very small sample. His minor league work has naturally been stronger, including an ERA of 4.63 in his Triple-A career.
In 2023, Stout began the year on a minor league deal with the Cubs, then was released and signed another with the Mariners. In early July, he had a 4.20 ERA in Triple-A for the year when he was released to pursue an opportunity with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan. Stout did well with this change of scenery, making 12 starts for the Brothers with an ERA of 3.28. In his 68 2/3 innings, he struck out 27.9% of batters faced while walking just 4.6%.
Based on that strong showing, it seems Stout may have opened other opportunities for himself. Even if he doesn’t get a deal with a major league club, the NPB and KBO are both considered to be a step up from the CPBL. Moving up the ladder in that sense and continuing to have success would increase his chances of getting an MLB deal down the line.
Ok
It’s got to be the Cards looking at him I’d think. ERA of 7.3 and FIP of 5.59. He’d fit in nicely in the 5 slot.
Such an original comment. You must be one of those self proclaimed “BFiB”
ES&D
I guess some teams are pretty desperate? It’s not like CPBL is pumping out top MLB talent.
Right, and it isn’t like he really put up excellent numbers either.
If he averaged a 4.40 ERA on AAA or close to it, and then went to a league where the competition wasn’t even as good as AAA, shouldn’t it stand to reason he’d do a bit better there!?! lol
Well, this article doesn’t exactly substantiate that the deal in question would be a MLB deal.
@DarkSide830
No, but the CPBL isn’t even close to Single-A level ball. If the teams want him on their single-a team, then fine, but there are thousands of players who would be in this position and not reported on.
Darragh, I’m sure the rest of the staff is thankful for you taking the reins again on Thanksgiving while we down south of the border stuff ourselves. The continued coverage, even on a slow news day, is much appreciated.
I second that! thanks Darragh.
California penial league ?
Minasian thinks he can make a MLB closer out of him.
I’m interested in a stout right about now.
Cheers.
Another 4A pitcher good luck chasing money on him
Dang not even the KBO is calling me 🙁
To think I’ve wanted to be a Wizzer since I was a kid.
Most likely a KBO deal so he can show that he can pitch a full slate of starts and do so reasonably effectively
Those aren’t requirements if you sign with the Cardinals.
Vegas a’s
I want to thank MLBTR for picturing yet another guy in a Pirates uniform whom I never even knew was here. The revolving door has provided a cast of thousands. Many thanks
Who?