2013 Toronto Blue Jays Reviews: Aaron Loup

Sep 14, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Aaron Loup (62) throws a pitch in the seventh inning in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at the Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Aaron Loup
Position: Relief Pitcher

2013 Transactions:

August 24, 2013 – Blue Jays Place Aaron Loup on Paternity List

2013 Expectations:

The Blue Jays were extremely pleased with left-hander Aaron Loup’s rookie season, declaring the 24-year-old the team’s Rookie of the Year for 2012. Still, after watching him go 0-2 with a 2.64 ERA, 0 home runs allowed, and a 10.5 K/BB ratio, the team realized they had utilized him in a limited capacity and were eager to see what Loup could with a heavier workload in 2013.

2013 Reality:

I imagine that if Aaron Loup were placed on a shelf in a grocery store, he would be put right next to the Bran Flakes. You know exactly what you’re going to get from him every time he takes the mound and he’s not going to add any excitement to any situation. Aaron Loup is just a steady choice all around.

In 2013, he proved his rookie season was no fluke. While he did give up a home run this season (5 actually), Loup did everything else right. His K/9 rate rose from 6.2 to 6.9, his ground-ball percentage rose from 55.4% to 59.9%, and her stranded 79.8% of runners on base.

That lead to a season where Loup would make 64 appearances out of the Blue Jays bullpen, tallying a 4-6 record, a 2.47 ERA, and 2 saves. He was routinely called upon to provide crucial outs in the middle frames and didn’t disappoint.

2014 Outlook:

After 100 innings of work, Loup has proven to be a solid, dependable pitcher for the Blue Jays to rely upon out of the bullpen, and that should not change in 2014. Along with Brett Cecil, Loup give the Blue Jays two strong left-handers that can be used against hitters on both sides of the plate. Unlike Cecil, Loup will not be mentioned much in trade talks this winter, so the Blue Jays will likely have the southpaw back in the pen next season, where he’ll continue to provide a mid-2.00 ERA, a heavy ground-ball rate, and an innate ability to keep the ball in the yard.

Like I said, Bran Flakes.