Jays Claim Pat Venditte (switch pitcher)

North_of_Border · Post #1 » by **North_of_Border** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 1:36 am

He's a 30 year old, career minor league reliever. Not eligable to pitch until next season..... So Why did the Jays pick him up and DFA Barney as a result?..... Its an experiment. Venditte is the only true full time switch pitcher in MLB history. If the jays can some how mold him into a MLB player, he would be very valuable. Otherwise, its a low risk side show.

He Spent most of his time in the Yankee system but only got his true MLB shot this season with Oakland. His fast ball is in the mid 80s from both right and left side. Other pitches are even slower.... Though most scouts see him as a lefty specialist as opposed to a reliable switch pitcher.... In other words, he throws from both sides, but that doesnt neccesarily mean he throws good from both sides.

Anyway, should be fun to follow next spring.

hyper316 · Post #2 » by **hyper316** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:02 am

we got a better pitcher in pennington

Xaos · Post #3 » by **Xaos** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:34 am

is he eligible for the postseason? We need him in the bullpen.

bluerap23 · Post #4 » by **bluerap23** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 4:57 pm

Desperation move

Post #5 » by **Schad** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 4:58 pm

It's been baffling that Venditte hasn't received more of a chance; novelty of switch-pitching aside, guys who succeed as slider-heavy sidearmers in the mid-80s aren't that rare. While minor league dominance doesn't always translate to major league competence, it's nuts that it took him until age 30 to get so much as a look at the major league level.