Texas Rangers' Pitching Prospect Cody Ege Starting Out Hot

Professional baseball players hope to hit the ground running at the start of their careers. With so many peers surrounding them, competing for limited jobs, getting out strong is of the essence. A player with one of the best starts one could hope for belongs to Texas Rangers pitching prospect Cody Ege, who has piled up positive results in the early going.

The left-handed Ege was a three-time All-State selection at Washington High school in Cherokee, Iowa, finishing with the seventh-lowest ERA in state high school history. After a 6-2 record and 0.97 ERA as a senior, he headed off to college at Louisville.

Ege immediately became a shutdown reliever for the Cardinals. In 78 career games over three seasons, he was an impressive 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 58.2 innings.

He was 4-1 with a 1.04 ERA in 2013, with his biggest contribution being the game-clinching strikeout he had of Vanderbilt’s Mike Yastrzemski (grandson of Carl) to send Louisville to the College World Series. His production was enough to earn the junior a 15th-round selection by the Rangers in the that year’s MLB Draft.

As previously mentioned, the southpaw burst out of the gate like he had been there before. He pitched at three different levels last year, going a combined 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA in 17 games, while striking out 39 in 30 innings.

The 23-year-old is off to another strong start this season, pitching for High Single-A Myrtle Beach. He is 3-0 with a 4.00 ERA and two saves in 14 relief appearances, and has struck out 25 in 27 innings.

This past offseason, I was able to ask Ege some questions about his career. Keep reading for more information on this fast-moving prospect.

Cody Ege Interview:

Who was your favorite player when you were growing up, and why?: While I was growing up I had a few favorite players. A couple to name would be Cal Ripken Jr., Rafael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez.

I liked Ripken because of the toughness he had. To play in so many consecutive games is insane.

I liked Palmeiro because of his beautiful left handed swing. And A-Rod always had my attention from the beginning because he dominated at a young age.

How did you wind up attending Louisville?: Matt Koch, a former high school teammate, attended Louisville the year before me. His dad, Scott, was our high school coach, and he made sure I would throw every time someone was there to watch Matt. The deal was sealed after I went down to Jupiter, Florida and threw down there for a team from Chicago. Took my visit to Louisville and knew that’s where I wanted to call home for the next few years.

Can you describe what the draft process was like for you?: The draft process was simple for me. I didn’t want to think about it at all because we had a chance to go to Omaha. So the process was simple. I was so focused on the game I didn’t have time to think about the draft.

What pitches do you throw and which do you think you need to work on the most?: I throw a fastball, slider and changeup. I think I just need to develop every pitch and build confidence to be able to throw any pitch in any count. Just to develop my game all around.

You had a great professional debut in 2013. How can you top that?: The three months I played professionally was as fun as it gets. Every outing I wanted to show everyone what I was made of. The one thing I will never be is complacent. To be called complacent could be the worst thing you could ever be called. I will always be hungry for more no matter who I’m playing or what level I am at.

What was the most difficult thing to get used to about being a professional player?: The toughest thing to get used to was playing every day of the week. In college you have to be ready for three days of the week. Professionally, it’s every day. Every single day you need to go out and work your tail off to get yourself better without a coach holding your hand.

Who has been your most influential coach or manager?: There have been several coaches that have influenced me throughout my career. I have been blessed with coaches that have only wanted the best for me and the teams. It makes it easy to play for guys like that.

What will you need to do to be able to make the major leagues?: I think to make the league it’s all about consistency and resilience. The guys that play in the majors are exactly that. Each and every day they go out you know what you’re going to get from them. And when they fail, they bounce back the next day and are hungry for another opportunity. 

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Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch for June 1, 2014

This article was originally published at SportsReelBoston.com.

That whirring sound you may be hearing is the motor of the Boston Red Sox’s farm system churning out players for the big league club at an impressive rate. Despite winning the 2013 World Series, the team is also in the midst of a youth movement and has had a number of youngsters making their mark of late.

Right-handed pitcher Rubby De La Rosa was summoned to Boston following the placement of starter Clay Buchholz on the disabled list with a hyper-extended knee. The 25-year-old, known as “Baby Pedro” to some, did a reasonable impression of his nickname-sake last night by scattering four hits in seven shutout innings while punching out eight batters against the Tampa Bay Rays. Not only did he dial up his fastball to 97-98 MPH, he also showed a nasty changeup that had batters flailing all night. Although it is one start, it was a reminder of the vast potential of this pitcher, who came to the Red sox in the Adrian Gonzalez/Carl Crawford/Josh Beckett/Nick Punto trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

One player who seems to be flying under the radar is infielder Brock Holt. He has done a very nice job of filling in at third base for the injured Will Middlebrooks, both in the field and at the plate. The left-handed hitter belted his first career home run last night, and is batting .305 with nine RBIs and two stolen bases in 21 games. He profiles as more of a utility player but his recent run has proven his ability to be a productive major league player.

Outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. hit his first home run of 2014 last night. While his bat has heated up a bit over the past week (6-27 with six RBIs), he is still struggling to get back to his standard patient plate approach. He has walked just once in the past 19 games, after drawing 16 free passes in his first 32 games. Surprisingly, his 3.91 pitches seen per at-bat still ranks 42nd in the American League. If he can just get a little streak going, he may finally break through into the player so many have anticipated.

Third baseman Garin Cecchini was just called up to make his major league debut. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter has a career .307/.408/.440 split in four minor league seasons. Despite a big frame (6’3” and 220 pounds) he has never shown much power but has always been an extra base hit machine. Although he is hitting .278 this season, he has just one home run and seven doubles in 50 games at Triple-A. A short-term roster fill-in while Stephen Drew continues to get ready, it will at least get his feet wet and give fans a chance to see a player with Kevin Seitzer-like abilities.

Infielder Xander Bogaerts continues to rake, posting a .408/.482/.612 split over the past two weeks with seven doubles, a home run and six RBIs. Despite various rumblings about supposed struggles earlier in the season, the 21-year-old ranks third in the American League in on-base percentage and 16th in OPS, carrying himself like a seasoned veteran.

The relative struggles of catcher Christian Vazquez with his bat at Triple-A have to be somewhat alarming. Often mentioned as possibly taking over the starting reins in Boston as early as 2015, he is not showing much right now that indicates he can fulfill that prophecy. His is hitting .264 in 39 games with just 10 RBIs and an 11/30 BB/K ration that projects to be the worst of his seven-year professional career. However, he continues to show a plus glove and arm, which was always his ticket to the bigs anyways.

Right-handed starting pitcher Anthony Ranaudo may be the next hurler summoned to Boston’s rotation if the need arises. The 24-year-old has been dominant at Triple-A, allowing just one run in his past three starts, spanning 19.1 innings. On the year, he is 5-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 53 in 59 innings. The only blemish to speak of is the 32 walks he has issued, which represent a significant spike from past seasons.

He doesn’t get the publicity of many of the organization’s other top prospects, but left-handed pitcher Brian Johnson is turning into an intriguing player to watch. The 23-year-old former first-round draft choice has split this year between High Single-A and Double-A, going a combined 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 11 starts. He has struck out 62 in 61 innings while giving up just one home run. He doesn’t have the kind of overpowering arsenal that can attract attention; he just knows how to pitch. There are many reasons to believe he could be a serious option for the Boston rotation at some point in the coming years.

The power potential of catcher Blake Swihart seems to finally be emerging. Playing at Double-A Portland, he already has five homeruns after hitting just a total of nine in his first three professional seasons. He has appeared in 42 games, hitting .293 with 10 doubles and 24 RBIs. While the switch-hitter’s bat is garnering the attention, it’s the 50 percent of base stealers he has nabbed that should have people buzzing.

   

Could the Red Sox have another prospect in corner infielder Jantzen Witte? The right-handed hitter is batting .364 with five home runs and 43 RBIs in 51 games with Single-A Greenville. He also has 22 doubles and a ridiculous .453 OBP. While he may certainly have a future, it is important to note that last year’s 24th-round pick is also 24, which is old for the league. The proof will be in the pudding once he is promoted and can show if he is able to sustain his high level of play.

Statistics obtained from BaseballReference.com and MILB.com.

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Jon Lester Situation Forcing Red Sox Into Big Payout One Way or Another

This article was originally published at SportsReelBoston.com.

Having recently endured a ten-game losing streak that saw them tumble briefly into the basement of the American League East, the Boston Red Sox have many concerns about the here and now- even after winning their next four and counting. The future of impending free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester should be an area of major worry, as no matter what happens with him, the team is faced with a situation that is almost certain to result in huge payout of one kind or another.

The 30-year-old left-handed Lester is one of the best pitchers in Red Sox history. In a nine-year career, he has gone a combined 105-62 with a 3.74 ERA and 1,320 strikeouts, serving primarily as the team’s ace. He has done so with class and dignity that began with his ongoing successful bout with cance as a youngster. That and the two World Series titles he has won with the team—including going 3-0 with a 0.43 ERA in the Fall Classic has earned him the admiration of Red Sox Nation.

Sadly, there is a chance that 2014 could be Lester’s last season in Boston. He is due to become a free agent this winter and seems destined to hit the open market. Although ESPN.com’s Dan Szymborski wrote an article (subscription required) projecting that the southpaw is worth potentially as much as a six-year, $145 million contract, Lester previously indicated he might be willing to take a bit of a hometown discount to remain with the organization that drafted him.

It turns out that hometown discount is one of those relative terms that can mean different things to different people. That became apparent when Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported earlier this season that the Red Sox offered Lester a four-year deal in the neighborhood of $70-$80 million- which was not accepted.

With Lester facing the possibility of making Kardashian money this offseason, the Red Sox have a situation where they are almost definitely going to have to lay out a ton of cash. If not for their lefty, then for his replacement, as his departure would leave a gaping hole at the top of the rotation.

Currently, the Red Sox have Clay Buchholz, John Lackey and Felix Doubront as starters under contract for 2015. Lackey and Doubront have proven they can be mid-to-end of rotation hurlers, but they are not guys who profile as number ones.

Buchholz has ace potential, but has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career. At 2-4 with a 7.02 ERA thus far in 2014, he is currently on the disabled list and may not even be in the rotation much longer if he doesn’t turn things around when he returns.

Boston has some intriguing pitching prospects like Brandon Workman, Allen Webster, Matt Barnes, Anthony Renaudo and Henry Owens, but none of them are sure things (or necessarily aces) and some still need some time down on the farm to get major league-ready.

Simply put, if the Red Sox don’t bring Lester back, they will need to find an ace somewhere. As one of the majors’ frontline franchises, they expect to compete every year. There is no realistic way to do that without a strong starting rotation that needs a proven horse at the top.

Lester could absolutely be on the level when he says he might take less money to remain in Boston. On the other hand, it’s unlikely that he will shortchange himself too much with the potential riches at his grasp. As a battle-tested lefty with years of success under his belt, he should have a plethora of teams laying out an assortment of their finest wines and cheeses to try and lure him away.

Unfortunately, once the words “hometown discount” have been uttered by a player, that usually holds to a ridiculous standard that portrays them as somehow selfish if they don’t sign a below-market deal. Lester should not be thought of in that way if he chooses to take the deal that suits him best. He is at the peak of his career and has set himself up to capitalize on the hard work he has invested in his career. He has earned the right to maximize his value—the same expectation anybody would have in their work life—from a doctor to a waiter.

It will be shocking, especially given the recent fiery hot pitching market, if Lester is signed for any less than $130-$150 million—and possibly even more. There is no scenario where the Red Sox can avoid cracking their checkbook open like the tomb of Lazarus if they wish to retain their ace.

Even if Boston determines Lester is too rich for their blood, they will facing a similarly high price to find his replacement. Max Scherzer, James Shields and Justin Masterson are the current best starters expected to be free agents this fall. Despite varying ages and levels of prior success, they have all pitched at the front of rotations, and will never have to shop the discount racks again.

Pitchers like David Price and Jeff Samardzija may be available in a trade but would require a boatload of premium prospects for their current respective teams to agree to give up such talented horseflesh. With one of the best farm systems in baseball, the Red Sox have the pieces to make just about any deal happen. However, doing so could be the equivalent of robbing Peter to pay Paul. While their rotation could be shored up in the short term, the price tag could be the future security of a self-sustaining organization suffering a major blow.

Lester may return to Boston and he may not. The entire situation is completely up in the air. However, something that is as plain as the nose on your face is that the Red Sox are going to be paying big this offseason- one way or another. The only real say they have is who is going to be on the receiving end of their checks and/or their prospects.

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The Boston Red Sox's Sleeper Prospects Closest to Contributing in Majors

The recent misery of the Boston Red Sox finally ended, as they stopped a 10-game slide with a come-from-behind victory against the Atlanta Braves on Memorial Day. With a record that currently stands at 21-30, the team may need a major injection of young talent from their highly regarded farm system- both in the short and long term. While there are a number of high-end prospects like Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Allen Webster starting to break through, there are many lesser-known youngsters that fans of the team should be aware of.

The highest-ranked prospects may get the lion’s share of the press, but Boston’s system is so deep that the sleepers should be monitored closely- especially those who are closest to possibly contributing at the big league level in the near future. Here are the best of those nearly-ready young players that nobody is talking about.

Bryce Brentz- Outfielder, currently playing at Triple-A: The 25-year-old right-handed hitter appeared ticketed for some time in Boston last year before a spring training firearm accident knocked him off the fast track. A somewhat all-or-nothing approach has resulted in 77 home runs and 451 strikeouts in 438 professional games. Although he is hitting just .230 with six home runs and 28 RBIs in 39 2014 games, he is the organization’s most advanced outfield prospect, and could get his first shot in the majors before long.

Henry Ramos- Outfielder, currently playing at Double-A: The 2010 fifth-round pick had a slow start to his career but has gotten better and better with each passing year. The 22-year-old switcher hitter has a big frame and seems to be coming into his power. He is in the midst of a career season that has him hitting .341 with two home runs and 23 RBIs in 45 games. A reported strong arm is offset by inconsistent defensive skills.

Keith Couch, Starting Pitcher, currently playing at Double-A: After winning 11 games in each of the past two seasons, the 24-year-old right-hander may surpass that mark this year by July. Through nine starts, he is a perfect 6-0 with a 2.39 ERA. He has 40 K/11 BB in 52.2 innings, and while he has permitted 55 hits, he is yet to allow a home run. With an arsenal headlined by a low-90s sinker, he is the kind of pitcher who will do best pitching to contact- a la Derek Lowe.

Travis Shaw- First Baseman, currently playing at Double-A: The 24-year-old son of former major league closer Jeff Shaw is the most polished first-sacker in the Boston system. After a miserable 2013 that saw him hit just .221 in Double-A, he is back for more and has clearly learned his lesson. The big left-handed hitter is batting .305 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs in 47 games. Most impressive is his 29/23 BB/K ratio, which indicates a big league-ready batting eye. On the defensive side, he has even played a little third base, which could come in handy as he continues to climb the ladder.

Noe Ramirez- Relief Pitcher, currently playing at Double-A: The 2011 fourth-round pick began his career as a starter but has settled nicely into a relief role. The right-hander may not throw hard but has a good changeup and has learned how to consistently get hitters out. He has a 3.14 career professional ERA, and has gone 1-0 with four saves, a 0.96 WHIP and a 2.08 ERA in 14 2014 games. At 24, he is at the stage of his career where he is just about ready to see what he can do in the big leagues, and may get that shot this season if Boston’s bullpen develops some holes.

*Statistics as of May 25, 2014.

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