Blue Jays Opposing Pitcher Report: Ryne Stanek

On Tuesday, June 12th, the Blue Jays play the middle game of their short three-game series against the Rays. Ryne Stanek, reliever and, out of necessity, starting pitcher, will start for the Rays. Jaime Garcia gets the start for the Blue Jays.

Ryne Stanek has not always been a reliever; through three levels of minor league baseball, the right-hander was both a starter and reliever. In fact, in the Rays high-A affiliate, he was exclusively a starter for two consecutive years. However, once he made it to Triple-A in 2016, he never made another start.

Tuesday night will be the righty’s fourth career start in the majors. In his first start, the right-hander pitched an inning and 2/3, allowing no earned runs or hits, while striking out three.

The right-handed hurler last started on June 7 against the Mariners. After he pitched a scoreless first inning, Austin Pruitt took over for the next seven innings. Pruitt managed 7 complete innings, allowing five earned runs.

Across 13 appearances and three starts, Stanek has posted a 1-1 record, 3.14 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 1.186 WHIP, and 129 ERA+. As well, in his three starts this season, the right-hander has posted an 0-1 record and 6.00 ERA.

The right-handed hurler keeps his pitching repertoire very simple, as is expected for a short-outing reliever. The right-hander mixes between a four-seam fastball, slider, and change-up.

Stanek has used his four-seam fastball 61.9% of the time this season. The heater averages a fast 98.3 mph but maintains no finishing movement. The four-seamer has been hit pretty hard this season, allowing three extra-base hits, a .440 SLGA, and terrible .200 ISO against. As well, the fastball has produced just four strikeouts to seven walks.

The right-hander has broken off sliders 21.8% of the time this season. The slider holds good finishing glove sidecut and run, while averaging a quick velocity of 88.9 mph. The slider has prevented hits well, allowing a paltry .154 BAA. As well, the breaking ball has produced whiffs at a great rate of 44.44% of swings.

The big righty has changed speeds on batters 16.3% of the time this season. The off-speed offering is quite hard, averaging a velocity of 88.9 mph. The young pitcher has produced whiffs at an incredible rate of 81.25% of swings against his change. In fact, even when batters do make contact, they have only put the ball into the ground or fouled the pitch off. In total, the change-up has produced eleven strikeouts and no hits in just thirteen at-bats.

Stanek has some concerning numbers over this season. First, his FIP is over a full run higher than his ERA, sitting at 4.29. His luck on balls in play should run out eventually, but it will happen over time since he usually only pitches one inning at a time.

While the righty has struck out a great number of batters, posting a 30% K-rate and 11.30 K/9, he has struggled with walking batters. Through his 14 1/3 innings pitched, the righty has allowed nine walks. Altogether, these walks account for an awful 15% BB-rate and 5.69 BB/9.

The Blue Jays have never played Stanek, but they should look to work the count against the young pitcher. Facing a right-handed starter, expect Curtis Granderson to draw into the leadoff spot. The veteran outfielder can easily work the count against this young reliever. Jaime Garcia will look for a strong outing after Sam Gaviglio ended the rotation’s quality start streak last night.