Future Redbirds

There is only one Eddie Degerman, and it’s time for his close up in this edition of prospect profiles.

Background

Eddie Degerman transfered from UC Irvine to Rice after two seasons because they wouldn’t let him be himself. Their coaches tried to get him to ditch his straight up delivery and convince him to throw sidearm. That sounds pretty laughable now, and it wasn’t working for Eddie so he transfered to Rice. He pitched out of the bullpen before moving into the rotation the following season, and was named 2nd Team All WAC. Drafted by the Red Sox in the 41st round, Eddie opted to go back to Rice as a 5th year senior in hopes of playing in the College World Series. He moved into elite status by becoming a Clemens Award finalist alongside Brad Lincoln, Tim Lincecum and Andrew Miller. He went 13-2 with a 2.00 ERA with a school record 172 strikeouts in 130.2 innings. While the other finalists went on to become first round picks, scouts were down on Degerman because of his over the top delivery was…well, over the top. They called him “Iron Mike” and a “pie thrower”, not thinking that his stuff would translate to the pros. Enamored by his numbers, the Cardinals said phooey and took him in the 4th round. As a 5th year senior, he was likely pushed up because he’d sign below slot.

If playing baseball doesn’t pan out for Degerman, he is an economics major so maybe he could find a job in the front office.

Repertoire

Degerman throws a fastball, changeup, and 2 different curves-regular and slow. His fastball is in the 87-90 MPH range, his changeup is at best average. The curveball on the other hand is one of the best in the system. A 12-6 bender, it comes in the 75-78 MPH range and induces a lot of whiffs. The slow version comes in 67-70 range and he uses it as a second changeup. Degerman throws his curve about 50% of the time. But it’s not just the pitches, it’s the deception of his delivery. As you can see in the photo, he comes straight over the top. His release comes at a point when his knee reaches its highest point in his leg kick, at the moment when he is nearly is on his tiptoes and his arm is extended straight up. Degerman is a tall glass of Kool Aid standing at 6-4, and the batter may feel like he’s throwing to him from about 10 feet in the air. I was able to see him in person, here’s some shots I took of different points of his delivery. See for yourself- (sorry I was in the cheap seats)

You can also see video of him here. Degerman got into trouble when he lost command his fastball. Like most pitchers, the fastball sets up his other pitches. The control issues kept him in extended spring training before he was assigned to the Swing mid season. You think he’d carry a significant injury risk, but Degerman swears that throwing that way comes natural to him and that he doesn’t experience any pain. (Unusual pain, I would assume, as all pitchers can experience some stress from throwing.)

Performance

The K rates are phenomenal, but he did see some all around drop off at the next level. The walks are an obvious issue. After ironing out his control in extended ST he looked good at the QC, but then really lost it at Palm Beach. Hitters at the higher levels aren’t as aggressive as guys in the lower minors; I’m sure some of the walks were because some players letting the curve fall in the dirt for a ball rather then chopping at it helplessly. He still got his fair share of hackers, but wasn’t as dominating. He also has a reverse platoon split, which is kind of interesting.

The Future

Degerman is probably not cut out for starting, but as our old friend Carlos Gomez said, “Degerman is precisely the type of guy you want to make your bullpen unique and have a different look”. I’d love to see the day when Degerman and Mark Worrell are in the same bullpen. I would hate to be the hitter who faces the many looks of Worrell for one at bat, only to face the freakishness of Degerman in the next. I think he can survive with a little bit of wildness but will have to curb it some. He’ll need to prove himself at every level. He turned 24 this September so the team may try and move him to the bullpen right away in order to speed up his progress some.

Derrick Goold interviewed Eddie, you can catch that here.