Follow the Prospects: Jake Irvin, RHP

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Nice outing for him vs. the Mets: 2 IP 1H 0R 1BB 4SO

https://www.mlb.com/nationals/video/jake-irvin-strikes-out-four

this is a guy who I think will be useful, maybe as soon as this year.  Not a super high rank guy on lists, but a pro.

[zimm_da_kid]

this is a guy who I think will be useful, maybe as soon as this year.  Not a super high rank guy on lists, but a pro.

Roark 2.0 best case

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Roark 2.0 best case

depth piece, middle innings and back of the rotation. You need some of that.

[Smithian]

Roark 2.0 best case

There isn't a team in baseball that wouldn't happily take 6 years of Tanner Roark-cost controlled production.

[Natsinpwc]

There isn't a team in baseball that wouldn't happily take 6 years of Tanner Roark-cost controlled production.

It’s like Bizarro World Patrick Corbin.

[GNatsNoMore]

depth piece, middle innings and back of the rotation. You need some of that.

Today vs. the Tigers:
2.0 IP 3H 1R 1ER 0BB 2 SO
1.0 WHIP and 1.80 ERA for the spring

I'm thinking he has a decent shot to be promoted to the Nats sometime after the All-Star break if there are a few injuries to our bullpen and he pitches well in AA.

[welch]

Today vs. the Tigers:
2.0 IP 3H 1R 1ER 0BB 2 SO
1.0 WHIP and 1.80 ERA for the spring

I'm thinking he has a decent shot to be promoted to the Nats sometime after the All-Star break if there are a few injuries to our bullpen and he pitches well in AA.

Put Corbin in the bullpen where he belongs. Put Irvin in the rotation.

[Mattionals]

Put Corbin in the bullpen where he belongs. Put Irvin in the rotation.

Or how about he makes it through AA first and even if he's 26, we don't push him too hard? I'm tired of Corbin as well, but I'd rather just stick Espino in the rotation and put Corbin in the pen instead of rushing Irvin.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Dougherty responded with "Jake Irvin" when asked about a potential pleasant surprise starting pitcher in the 2023/24 time frame.

Q: Do you want to take a stab at a predicting a surprise pitcher who could emerge in 2023/24? A great stuff guy you think can be healthy and figure it out? A guy who is overlooked but has had success? A Strasmas miracle?

Dougherty: I'll go with right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin, though that's a bit of a shot in the dark. The 26-year-old climbed the system last year after missing 2021 because of Tommy John surgery. He finished in AA and had some impressive appearances down in West Palm Beach this spring. Way back in November, the club added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from being taken in the Rule 5 Draft.

Aside from hearing good things about him from folks on the minor league side, here's a nugget: Irvin's sinker was a very important pitch for when he thrived at Oklahoma. But during his Tommy John rehab, he only threw four-seamers because team trainers thought his sinker could negatively affect his recovery. Last season, he rode with this four-seamer as his primary fastball and didn't bring the sinker back. But it's now in his arsenal again, making Irvin a more complete pitcher than he was while impressing in 2022. That could bode well for the Nationals down the line.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/03/28/washington-nationals-opening-day/

[imref]

AAA debut:  4.1 IP, 1ER, 2BB, 4Ks.

[imref]

Not terrible yesterday: 5IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 2K

Definitely moving to the "first in line when we need another starter" position.

[Smithian]

I have positive vibes on this kid becoming a "fine" MLB pitcher. A solid #4 on a winning team. An ace for this team.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I have positive vibes on this kid becoming a "fine" MLB pitcher. A solid #4 on a winning team. An ace for this team.

I would love to see him displace Kuhl sometime this season, but he's gotten worse every start. 4 GS, 17 IP, 12 ER, 18 H, 8 BB, 14K. 

[Natsinpwc]

Pitches today.

[imref]

another solid start, picks up the win: 5⅓ IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 6K, HR

[welch]

In a couple of months, if Irvin continues to pitch well in AAA, maybe he is the guy to replace Chad Kuhl.

[Natsinpwc]

In a couple of months, if Irvin continues to pitch well in AAA, maybe he is the guy to replace Chad Kuhl.

Yeah. I would rather see a young guy than a retread.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Yeah. I would rather see a young guy than a retread.

I think Peralta is up in May.  He had a bit of a wild first inning and gave up a 3 run dinger (BB, BB, HR), and was pulled in the 5th after his 3rd walk and wild pitch.  4.2, 1H (HR), 3 BB, 5 K, 83 P, 48 strikes.

[Natsinpwc]

I think Peralta is up in May.  He had a bit of a wild first inning and gave up a 3 run dinger (BB, BB, HR), and was pulled in the 5th after his 3rd walk and wild pitch.  4.2, 1H (HR), 3 BB, 5 K, 83 P, 48 strikes.

Doesn’t sound too encouraging. Once upon a time he was a decent starter.

[welch]

Doesn’t sound too encouraging. Once upon a time he was a decent starter.

Peralta had a mediocre year in 2013 and a good year in 2014, but that's two seasons out of ten, and a long time ago. I would go with Irvin after he has had more experience in AAA.

Incidentally, Darren Baker went 2-for-4. Now hitting .337. He is a prospect.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Irvin: 5 starts, 22.1 IP, 5.64 ERA, 20 Ks, 11 BBs, 1.52 WHIP
Peralta: 4 starts, 15 IP, 4.80 ERA, 15 Ks, 5 BBs, 0.93 WHIP

Irvin is far from ready. Kuhl is terrible. The problems Peralta had in his start today (BBs, mostly) are unusual for him. Not a great start, but if he has a couple of starts where he gives up 2-3 runs over 5-6 innings, then he's probably a better option than Kuhl, and Irvin just is not ready yet.

As for later in the year, I'm not sure that Irvin will be ready before Rutledge. Irvin's last start was his first good one since his first.

[welch]

Irvin to be tried against the Cubs?

And along with questions about the secondary relievers, Saturday made it fair to ask how long Kuhl’s leash should be in the rotation. The Nationals will probably need a spot starter in the middle of next week, meaning they could bring up Cory Abbott or Jake Irvin to face the Chicago Cubs. Then perhaps one of them makes a case to stick beyond a single appearance.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/29/nationals-pirates-doubleheader/

[imref]

Moving on up….

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Keep this open unless he is not sent down after the game.

[imref]

Keep this open unless he is not sent down after the game.

he's getting at least one more start. I don't see a need to lock it unless he ends up taking Kuhl's rotation slot.