Nathaniel Stoltz, FanGraphs:
Matt Purke, LHP, Nationals (High-A Potomac)–Purke is known for turning down the Rangers out of high school after being picked 14th overall and then getting a $4.4 million major league deal after being taken in the third round by the Nationals two years later. He’s been plagued by shoulder problems for years, and they limited to just three poor starts in his first season in 2012. He finally got back on the mound on May 29 this year and rekindled hope by dominating the SAL in six starts (29 IP, 7 BB, 41 K, 2.48 ERA), earning a quick promotion to the High-A Carolina League.
I saw his second (and most recent) start in that latter circuit, and while I entered hoping to see a renewed power arm, all I saw was a finesse lefthander who was no match for the hitters in a relatively ordinary Winston-Salem lineup (he allowed nine runs on eleven hits in 3 2/3 innings). Purke worked at 88-91 mph with a bit of life on the ball, his mid-70s curve flashed plus but was very inconsistent, and he barely even showed a changeup. He throws across his body somewhat and still appears to put a lot of stress on his shoulder in his motion, taking away from his command while also putting him at an elevated re-injury risk.Purke turns 23 next week, so
the fact that his relative polish and good curveball allowed him to carve up the SAL doesn’t make him a premium pitching prospect by any means. It seems that whatever worked so well for him in Low-A isn’t translating well to High-A, and even if it did, Purke’s lack of velocity, a changeup, or pristine command doesn’t bode well for his future. That’s not to write him off entirely–88-91 with some movement isn’t exactly bad for a lefty starter, the curveball is good, and Purke has shown the ability to at least find the strike zone, which could add up to a back-of-the-rotation career if he stays healthy.
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/five-prospects-to-avoid/~ ~
Commenter on the same article writes in:
In a recent radio interview with 106.7 in DC, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo offered the following assessment:
“His velocity is creeping back up there. We’re told by our rehab people that we’re not going to see the true stuff of Matt Purke, pre-injury stuff, until next spring training. Because this was a little bit different. It was a shoulder scope. It wasn’t the Tommy John ligament and that type of thing. So, Matt’s progressing nicely. His velocity is up to 94 [mph], he touched 95 the other night. But the last thing that comes in these guys’ rehab, don’t forget, is consistency and command of their stuff and that’s been inconsistent for Matt thus far this year.”
