Sunday Notes: A Yooper, Derrick Edington Was Tutored By an Erstwhile Closer

Derrick Edington is hoping to affix choose firm. MLB historical past consists of fewer than a dozen gamers born in Michigan’s Higher Peninsula, probably the most achieved being Mike Bordick (Marquette) and George Brunet (Houghton). Additionally notable are Kevin Tapani, who was born in Iowa however grew up within the U.P. (Escanaba), and John Michaelson, whose household moved to a small city within the Copper Nation when he was 5 years previous in order that his father might work within the mines. Michaelson, who bought a cup of espresso with the Chicago White Sox in 1921, is the one big-leaguer to have been born in Finland.

Edington is from the village of Pickford, which is positioned roughly 40 miles north of the Mackinac Bridge, which separates the state’s two peninsulas. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound right-hander’s journey from rural Michigan to affiliated baseball spanned a number of years at baseball’s decrease runs, and included a useful enhance from a former All-Star nearer.

Signed out of an unbiased league by the Tampa Bay Rays final Could, Edington has gone from throwing “perhaps 82 [mph]’ as a highschool senior — basketball was his higher sport — to sitting 95-96, and infrequently reaching triple digits. Uncooked however nonetheless promising, he made 20 reduction appearances between the Florida Complicated League and Arizona Fall League, logging excessive ERAs but additionally fanning 39 batters in 32 innings.

I requested the erstwhile Pickford Panther about his atypical path to professional ball.

“It was a protracted street,” defined Edington. “I used to be at a JUCO, Kellogg Faculty, in downstate Battle Creek, then at Davenport College, a D-2 in Grand Rapids. After I graduated within the spring of 2022, I had a tryout for an indie-ball league known as the USPBL. After a season there [with the East Side Diamond Hoppers], I went to a tryout for the Frontier League and bought picked up by the Windy Metropolis Thunderbolts. Early in my second season there, I bought a name from my supervisor. He informed me, ‘Hey man, the Tampa Bay Rays are going to choose up your contract.’”

The caller was Bobby Jenks.

“He was large in getting me to the place I’m at proper now,” Edington mentioned of the sturdily-built right-hander who recorded 173 saves for the White Sox from 2005-2010. “We talked pitching quite a bit, a lot of that about psychological mindset on the mound. [Former big-league pitching coach] Larry Rothschild was type of coming and going at Windy Metropolis whereas I used to be there, and he additionally helped me out. It’s all the time been between the ears for me — bodily, I can deal with something — and being ready for any state of affairs is one thing Bobby and Larry talked to me about quite a bit.”

Edington additionally credit Jenks for serving to to get him “in entrance of the correct eyes“. The previous nearer made calls to connections throughout the business, telling them that they could need to give the hard-throwing hurler a possibility, As for the decision he made to Edington, it was equal components sudden and music to his ears.

“It was disbelief,” recalled Edington. “I imply, it was severely disbelief, and clearly pleasure. There have been loads of feelings, as a result of each baseball participant’s purpose is to get that likelihood. My first, most likely, month within the Rays group there have been loads of pinch-me moments. It was like, ‘Wow, that is actually occurring.’ So yeah, it was tremendous surreal to get that cellphone name.”

Pickford’s inhabitants is 1,562. In opposition to tall odds, the small U.P. city could at some point boast a big-league pitcher.

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RANDOM HITTER-PITCHER MATCHUPS

Andrew McCutchen is 12 for 22 in opposition to Jordan Lyles.

Xander Bogaerts is 16 for 34 in opposition to Jordan Montgomery.

Daniel Murphy went 22 for 64 in opposition to Jordan Zimmermann.

Austin Riley is 4 for 9 in opposition to Jordan Hicks.

Adley Rutschman is 3 for six in opposition to Jordan Romano.

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When the Milwaukee Brewers inked Tyler Alexander to a free agent deal on Wednesday, they introduced on board a 30-year-old southpaw who can each begin and work out of the bullpen. Additionally they introduced on board a pitcher who exemplifies “The extra issues change, the extra they keep the identical.” Courting again to his days as a Southlake, Texas prep, and persevering with on by means of his time at Texas Christian College and a decade {of professional} baseball, Alexander has relied extra on moxie than energy to report outs.

“Actually, I believe I’ve been the identical pitcher since highschool,” mentioned Alexander, who spent final yr in Tampa after 5 seasons in Detroit. “What I throw is completely different, however I’ve all the time been a man that strikes the ball round, locates effectively, adjustments speeds, adjustments shapes. I’ve thrown the identical velocity since I used to be most likely 17 years previous.”

Alexander’s four-seamer and sinker averaged 89.6 and 89.7 mph respectively final season, qualifying him as soft-tosser by immediately’s requirements. That he ranked within the fourth percentile for velocity isn’t one thing he’s particularly pleased with, but it surely’s additionally not one thing he’s about to lose sleep over. Very similar to certainly one of his former Tigers teammates, his purpose is to stifle the opposition, to not gentle up radar weapons.

“He would possibly throw a bit of bit tougher than I do [91.6 mph], however we throw very related pitches,” Alexander mentioned when requested how he compares to Tyler Holton. “We even have the identical precise arsenal, and do mainly the identical issues. We each find the ball. And also you don’t essentially need to throw exhausting on this league, not so long as you find and alter shapes. That’s actually the secret.”

One of many pitches Alexander and Holton have in widespread is the sweeper. Alexander threw one in 2022, shelved it in 2023, then introduced it again in 2024. The present iteration is each completely different and improved.

“The grip is the very same, however how I throw isn’t,” defined Alexander. “After I first began throwing one, I wished one thing like a Wealthy Hill curveball, one thing huge that sweeps a ton. I finally determined that it didn’t play effectively with my arsenal, so I ended throwing it. Then, after I bought right here to the Rays, they mentioned I ought to attempt to make it as as horizontal as attainable. As a substitute of throwing it [with this hand orientation], I’m throwing it this manner, so it sweeps greater than it drops. The horizontal motion really hasn’t modified a lot, however whereas the vertical used to get into the unfavourable, now my purpose is for it to remain constructive.”

Alexander has a 4.55 ERA and a 4.70 FIP over 449 big-league innings.

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A quiz:

The Cy Younger Award has been given out to pitchers in each leagues since 1969, whereas from 1956-1966 there was just one recipient. Which of the next pitchers by no means received a Cy Younger?: Don Drysdale, LaMarr Hoyt, Randy Jones, Mike Mussina, Steve Stone.

The reply might be discovered beneath.

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NEWS NOTES

MLB introduced on Friday that 5 umpires have been promoted to full-time positions: Paul Clemons, Emil Jiménez, Alex MacKay, Dan Merzel, and Nate Tomlinson. Three umpires retired following the 2024 season: Paul Emmel, Jerry Layne, and Larry Vanover.

SABR introduced that Bruce Bochy shall be honored with this yr’s Roland Hemond Award, which which acknowledges a baseball government who has demonstrated a lifetime dedication to skilled baseball scouts and scouting, and participant growth historical past. The award has been given out since 2001.

Longtime Detroit Tigers clubhouse supervisor Jim Schmakel is retiring. Schmakel has been with the staff since 1978.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have employed Daniel Vogelbach as a particular assistant to their hitting division. The 32-year-old veteran of 9 big-league seasons completed his profession with 361 hits, together with 81 house runs.

Jim Todd, a right-hander who pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and Seattle Mariners in a profession that comprised the 1974-1979 seasons, died on February 3 at age 77 (per Baseball Participant Passings). The Lancaster, Pennsylvania native had his greatest season in 1975 when he went 8-3 with a 2.29 ERA and a dozen saves for the A’s.

Angel Torres, a left-handed pitcher who appeared in 5 video games for the Cincinnati Reds in 1977, died on February 1 at age 72. The La Cienaga, Dominican Republic allowed two runs over eight-and-a-third innings, with Cesar Cedeno accountable for the entire harm. The Houston Astros outfielder took Torres deep twice in as many at-bats.

This yr’s SABR Analytics Convention shall be held in Phoenix from March 14-16. Featured audio system embrace Burke Badenhop, Kyle Boddy, Glenn Fleisig, Michael Girsch, Mike Petriello, and Michael Sonne. Extra data might be discovered right here.

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The reply to the quiz is Mike Mussina. The correct-hander completed among the many prime 5 vote getters six instances, however by no means acquired the distinction.

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Which of Spencer Arrighetti, Hunter Greene, Jared Jones, and Spencer Schwellenbach will end the 2025 season with the best fWAR? I requested that query in a Twitter ballot earlier this week, and as typically occurs, the outcomes shocked me. It was the paucity of assist acquired by the last-place finisher that stood out. Whereas the highest three have been largely bunched collectively — Jones bought 36.5%, Greene 34.4%, and Schwellenbach 27.1% — Arrighetti garnered simply 2.1%.

Final season, the younger quartet’s respective WAR totals have been Greene 3.8, Schwellenbach 2.6, Jones 1.8, and Arrighetti 1.6. A lot for that purpose, it’s comprehensible that Arrighetti polled poorly. On the similar time, Greene, who I anticipated getting probably the most votes, completed second, whereas Jones, who did win, had solely a touch higher 2024 than Arrighetti. Furthermore, not solely did the Houston Astros rookie have the best strikeout price of the 4, he had a powerful second half of the season. What would possibly that imply for 2025? Solely time will inform, however I’d rank them: 1. Greene, 2. A coin flip between Arrighetti and Schwellenbach, 4. Jones.

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FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Pedro Avila has reportedly signed with NPB’s Tokyo Yakult Swallows. The 28-year-old right-hander had a 3.25 ERA over 50 reduction appearances with the Cleveland Guardians final yr.

NPB’s Chiba Lotte Mariners have reportedly signed Austin Voth. The 32-year-old right-hander had a 3.69 ERA over 68 reduction appearances with the Seattle Marines final yr.

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A random obscure former participant snapshot:

Raul Casanova performed for each a 109-loss staff and a World Collection-winning staff. A journeyman catcher whose big-league profession comprised 387 video games, the Humacao, Puerto Rico native spent his 1996 rookie season with a Detroit Tigers squad that completed with what was, on the time, a franchise-worst report (53-109). 9 years later, he noticed motion in six video games for a Chicago White Sox squad that received 99 video games, then went on to win the Fall Traditional. In between, Casanova had a career-best marketing campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers. Caddying for Henry Blanco, the backstop bashed 11 house runs whereas placing up a 96 wRC+. Lauded as a power-hitting prospect with a excessive ceiling, Casanova ended up going deep simply 35 instances in what was finally an underwhelming profession.

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Paul Janish was a defensive-minded shortstop for components of 9 big-league seasons, seeing motion with the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles from 2008-2017. The now-Chicago White Sox farm director additionally logged time at second and third base, though it’s at but a distinct place the place he’s within the report books. Jansih twice toed the rubber with the Reds in a mop-up function, and the end result was 11 earned runs allowed over a pair of frames. His 49.50 ERA is the best in MLB historical past amongst hurlers with at the very least two innings on his ledger.

How does the erstwhile Rice College Owl look again at these outings?

“I affectionately discuss with that because it having been enjoyable to do as soon as, however doing it twice made me understand I didn’t need to do it anymore,” Janish mentioned good-naturedly. “It does give me the luxurious of having the ability to inform those who I pitched within the huge leagues. It’s additionally a bit of little bit of a nod to the place I stood, relative to the remainder of the big-league roster. However in all good enjoyable… clearly, there have been a number of guys who’ve introduced in a little bit of comedian reduction, like Brett Phillips, a number of years in the past, throwing the eephus pitches. So, I’m glad I bought to do it. On the very least, it gave me some good tales to inform.”

He additionally bought some good souvenirs. Janish has signed bats from Prince Fielder and Jayson Werth (a grand slam), the 2 gamers who took him deep. After which there are the bragging rights.

“I struck out J.J. Hardy, who I later performed with,” defined Janish. “You may think about that offered some fairly fascinating banter.”

Hardy was the primary of the 17 batters Janish confronted in his two mound appearances, whereas the final batter he confronted, Pedro Feliz, additionally went down on strikes. In between, issues didn’t go so effectively.

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LINKS YOU’LL LIKE

At Axios Chicago, Justin Kaufmann and Tyler Buchanan teamed as much as write about Chicago’s Black trailblazers, from Rube Foster to Minnie Minoso.

MLB.com’s Mike Petriello regarded on the ballparks and gamers who have been most impacted by climate situations final yr.

Justin Krueger profiled longtime Texas Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg for SABR’s Bio Undertaking.

Why did the Pirates signal Adam Frazier and Tommy Pham? John Perrotto addressed that query at Pittsburgh Baseball Now.

The Athletic’s Chandler Rome wrote about how Alex Bregman’s departure leaves a void in the Houston Astros clubhouse (subscription required).

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RANDOM FACTS AND STATS

Barry Bonds had a career-high 411 complete bases in 2001. Shohei Ohtani had 411 complete bases — his highest complete up to now — final season.

Willie Mays performed 21 seasons with the Giants and batted .304 with a 156 wRC+ and 1,859 RBIs. Mel Ott performed 22 seasons with the Giants and batted .304 with a 154 wRC+ and 1,860 RBIs.

Lefty Grove had 300 wins and 141 losses. Early Wynn had 300 wins and 244 losses. Each are within the Corridor of Fame.

Don Drysdale began 465 video games and had a 209-165 won-lost report.Milt Pappas began 465 video games and had a 209-166 won-lost report.

The San Diego Padres signed Roberto Alomar as an novice free agent on immediately’s date in 1985. 5 years later, the Padres traded the Corridor of Fame second baseman, together with Joe Carter, to the Toronto Blue Jays in change for Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff.

On immediately’s date in 1909, the Cleveland Naps traded Charlie Chech and Jack Ryan — money was additionally a part of the package deal — to the Boston Purple Sox in change for Cy Younger. The legendary hurler proceeded to go 19-15 with a 2.26 ERA for Cleveland in what was his age-42 season. Younger’s 294-and-a-third innings in 1909 have been his fewest since his 1890 rookie season.

Gamers born on immediately’s date embrace Ribs Raney — his full identify at start was Frank Robert Donald Raniszewski — a right-hander who appeared in 4 video games for the St. Louis Browns throughout the 1949-1950 seasons. The Detroit native went 17-7 with the Mountain State League’s Huntington Jewels in 1942.

Additionally born on immediately’s date was Invoice Pecota, whose declare to fame is twofold: Nate Silver named a projection system after him, and he performed all 9 positions (by no means all in the identical recreation) over the course of his profession. A Kansas Metropolis Royal from 1986-1991, Pecota subsequently spent one yr with the New York Mets, and two with the Atlanta Braves. He went 26-for-97 as a pinch-hitter.