As the final two reviews are published, most fans will forget these pitchers even had appearances in 2019. Out of 162 New York Mets games, Ryan O’Rourke made cameo’s in only two of them before making an interesting journey around the baseball world.
The #Mets have selected the contract of 31-year-old LHP Ryan O'Rourke from Syracuse.
O'Rourke doesn't throw much harder than 90 mph, so he has to rely on his craftiness. Here's a quick sampling of how his offspeed has looked so far: pic.twitter.com/wSIjOAZflm
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) May 1, 2019
O’Rourke is a lefty specialist who made his only two appearances while Jeurys Familia spent time on the Injured List. In his two outings, he did not allow a run, and his only baserunners came from walks. He was not dominant by any stretch but filled his role as another arm in the bullpen.
Baseball Journey
It was the first time O’Rourke pitched in the big leagues since the 2016 season due to recovery from Tommy John Surgery. He went back in forth between Syracuse and Flushing, along with a couple appearances pitching for Ireland’s National Team in Bulgaria.
Btw, the Mets DFAing Ryan O'Rourke for Mazza is a little surprising given they could have just put Brandon Nimmo on the 60-day IL. That would have meant Nimmo would be out until at least July 21, but he's not slated to begin baseball activities again until at least July 18.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) June 26, 2019
He spent most of the year with the Syracuse Mets and pitched to a 3.27 ERA over 36 outings. O’Rourke has always been a lefty specialist who is very reliant on his slider. After the Mets released him in August, he signed with the Twins and finished the season with their Triple-A team in Rochester.
O’Rourke is pitching in the Puerto Rican Winter League and has a 3.72 ERA over 29 innings. Due to his career splits and the MLB’s new three batter minimum, it makes it harder for pitchers like O’Rourke to land a bullpen spot. Right-handed batters are hitting over 100 points higher than left-handers.
Grades:
Pitching Repertoire: D+, High-80s fastball, and a sharp slider. About what you would expect from a lefty specialist.
Control: D-, 3 walks in 1.1 innings.
Composure: N/A
Intangibles: A+, The clubhouse in Syracuse adored O’Rourke
Overall: B+