Chris Rowly GDT: Toronto Bluebirds vs Pittsburgh Freebooters. 1.07pm.

[jays4life19]

Chris Rowley, RHP, Blue Jays: Rowley — who will start for Toronto on Saturday in his MLB debut — has a fun little background. He was signed as an amateur free agent after graduating West Point to help fill a void on the Jays rookie squads after the 2013 draft. He appeared in nine games with three walks and 39 Ks (with a 1.10 ERA) in 32.2 innings before leaving baseball for two years to complete a commitment to the US military. He was excused from his five-year commitment early — to become an ambassador for the military — and had an unexpectedly-good season when he was pushed to high-A despite two years of rust.

 

Rowley produced a 3.49 ERA in 31 games (14 starts) and showed the same excellent control that he had in his debut. Moved up to double-A in 2017, the 26-year-old right-hander was at it again early in the year with outstanding numbers in 10 games (six starts). That pushed him to triple-A where he’s produced a 2.82 ERA with 15 walks and 41 Ks in 54.1 innings. All along the way he’s also produced above-average ground-ball rates.

 

The thing about Rowley, though, is that his stuff is modest. He relies on lots of movement, changing eye levels, excellent control and a ton of moxie. His heater sits in the upper-80s and works in the 87-91 mph range most of the time. He’s made 67 appearances in his pro career with 30 of those coming as a starter suggesting Toronto isn’t sold on him as a starter. The Jays need arms — badly. So Rowley is going to start in the Majors. He has value as a big league arm but it’s likely going to be as a reliever long term. The lack of fear and incredible makeup could help him become the next Luke Gregerson – a soft-tossing right-hander who can nonetheless become a decent high-leverage reliever despite the lack of mid-90s bullets.

 

Let's Go Rowley!

[Orgfiller]

The Pirates were really aggressive in that inning.

[EdwinsParrot]

Gj jose

[MunenoriKawasakiMVP]

I know its early but Rowley mixes his pitches decently. At least I think he's way better than Bolsinger/Latos/Valdez.

[art_vandelay275]

though no fault of theirs, this lineup after the first 4 is painful to watch

[EdwinsParrot]

Good ab JD

[Orgfiller]

Baseball loaded walk, one of the most frustrating things to suffer if you're a fan of the team giving it up.

[MunenoriKawasakiMVP]

though no fault of theirs, this lineup after the first 4 is painful to watch

 

Well guess what happens when you lose your starting middle infield, your catcher and your DH. Tulo hasn't been the greatest this year but compared to Refsnyder and Barney he's a god.

[John_Havok]

How's Rowley looking so far?

[MunenoriKawasakiMVP]

How's Rowley looking so far?

 

OK. Obviously the velocity isn't the greatest but the pitches have decent movement and he has decent control. Nothing special but I don't think he's Latos/Bolsinger trash.

[sdyment]

How's Rowley looking so far?

 

I think the Pirates broadcast crew is in love... with the military service and the pitch location.

He's looked great. The two hard hit balls were both way out of the strike zone, so could be considered "unlucky". Great movement on his off speed stuff.

 

He's almost working Buerle-fast, so as a fan, I love him

Edited August 12, 2017 by sdyment

[John_Havok]

I saw the 3rd and 4th innings. Nothing to get excited about but he doesn't look out of place.

 

Decent fade/sink on that 2 seam fastball, average breaking ball, average change. Decent control/command.

 

Looks like a guy who will give up his share of hits but but won't walk the world and can get the occasional whiff.

 

Actually looks like alot like the Pirates pitcher today just without a few ticks on the fastball.

[John_Havok]

That changeup slipped.

[John_Havok]

Uh oh, Polanco coming up lame.

[sdyment]

67 pitches thru 5 for Rowley.

[Orgfiller]

The turf hate is going to be real if Polanco is taken out of the game here.

[G-Snarls]

So many easy outs in our lineup these days

 

Omg

[John_Havok]

Feels like Smoak needs to get a run in here

[John_Havok]

s***, nice pitch

[John_Havok]

Cmon Pearce, you're the last hope until the 7th

[Orgfiller]

Nice call Gibby. Come on, at least a deep flyball here.

[John_Havok]

Morales in as a pinch hitter.... do eeeeet!

[John_Havok]

Nice call Gibby. Come on, at least a deep flyball here.

 

Yeah, gotta get at least 1.

[EdwinsParrot]

Lool nice

[MunenoriKawasakiMVP]

I'll take it

[Orgfiller]

Lol it wasn't pretty but we'll take it.

[John_Havok]

Holy luck. We'll take it!

[Candy Maldonado]

slo mo!

[John_Havok]

Shows where our team is when the last 3 posts all say the same thing lol

[Orgfiller]

Looks like Morales would have been safe anyway, so um, good hustle I guess.