Blue Jays Opposing Pitcher Report: Corey Oswalt

On Wednesday, July 4, the Blue Jays complete their quick two-game set against the New York Mets. Marcus Stroman will climb the hill for the Blue Jays and Corey Oswalt will start for the Mets.

Corey Oswalt was drafted in the 2012 amateur players draft by the Mets. After a rough start in rookie ball in the same year, the righty turned it around, playing excellent baseball until this year. While in triple-A this year, he was below average, posting a 5.32 ERA and 5.01 FIP.

The right-hander is an excellent example of the of the injury problems New York has dealt with this year. The former seventh-round pick was called up to replace the injured Noah Syndergaard (finger). While Syndergaard was excellent in eleven starts this year, tomorrow’s starter has been awful.

In his first big league start, the right-handed hurler drew the Miami Marlins and allowed six earned runs over 2 2/3 innings pitched. However, in an appearance out of the bullpen earlier in the year—against the Cardinals—he was much better, allowing two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Overall, in just two appearances and one start, the Mets starter has posted a 9.82 ERA, 8.29 FIP, 1.364 WHIP, and a disastrous 41 ERA+. Even worse, he has been worth a worse-than-replaceable -0.2 fWAR.

Oswalt does not offer much variation in his pitch selection. The 24-year-old throws a four-seam fastball, sinker, curveball, and change-up. However, he almost exclusively alternates between a fastball or curveball.

The righty’s four-seam fastball has been used 47.2% of the time this season. The heater is not that fast, maintaining an average velocity of 91.29 mph. As well, he loves the four-seamer on the first pitch, offering it to righties early 46% of the time, and lefties 44% of the time. While the fastball has not been hit for much average, posting a .222 BAA, it has been hit incredibly hard, allowing a catastrophic .722 SLGA—including three home runs.

Oswalt has fired sinkers home 23.6% of the time this season. In just two appearances in the majors, the pitch has resulted in three singles and one hit batter. Interestingly, the sinker is used 29% of the time against right-handed batters, while it has been featured just 11% of the time against lefties.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open to a long-term contract
• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time
• Who Should the Blue Jays Extend First: Guerrero, Bichette or Manoah?
• Blue Jays now hold the top Wild Card spot, and yes that’s a good thing
• Blue Jays may have the tools to use a Bullpen Day

The young starter has offered up curve balls 17.9% of the time this season. The curve is relatively fast, posting an average velocity of 80.37 mph. However, it has resulted in a poor rate of whiffs, just 16.67% of swings.

The right-handed hurler’s pitching repertoire is completed with a change-up, which has been used 11.4% of the time this season. Curiously, the off-speed pitch is not used that much, in total, but has been featured 56% of the time against left-handed batters ahead in the count. Also, the change has produced a decent whiff rate of 33.33% of swings.

The young starter has struggled to punch out batters out this season, posting a 15.2% K-rate and 6.14 K/9. As well, he has walked a fair amount of batters, producing a 6.1% BB-rate and 2.45 BB/9.

While the pitcher has limited experience in the majors, his hard hit rate currently sits at a horrible 48%. However, he has allowed line drives just 16% of the time while producing ground balls 48% of the time.

Next: Blue Jays have scouted Milwaukee Brewers farm system

The Blue Jays have not drawn a difficult match-up against Oswalt. Unfortunately for the young pitcher, it seems he was rushed to the majors too early. The Mets have a recent history of rushing prospects to the majors before they’re ready.