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Rookies to Look For: David Purcey

Christopher Solberg, Editor
6/16/2008

Toronto Blue Jays starter David Purcey is on the verge of joining an already talented Blue Jays rotation.  The Jays already have perennial All-Star Roy Halladay, oft-injured but talented A.J. Burnett, future star Dustin McGowan, and control artist Shaun Marcum form an impressive top four.  But Purcey may be joining them in a short time.

The 6-foot-5 left-hander from the University of Oklahoma has a 91-93 mph fastball with good movement, a plus curve, and a changeup that is in the works.  After he was drafted (for a third time) in the first round of the 2004 draft, David pitched well in his first two seasons in the minors.  But his peripheral stats were not that impressive.

But in 2006 and 2007 he struggled, putting an ERA well above 5.00 along the way.  Much of his problem was rooted in his lack of control.  In 2006 alone he had 82 walks in 142 innings.  He was also pitching in the upper levels of the minors where it is tougher to be a starter with just two viable pitches.

But this season David has displayed the potential that he’s lacked.  In 72-2/3 innings this season for Triple-A Syracuse, he’s posted a 2.41 ERA while keeping his walks down (24) and not giving up many hits (59).  He’s also struck out 80, showing an ability to strike out more than a batter an inning at the upper levels.  An article on The Batter’s Box discusses his control problems a little more and how the Blue Jays were working with his mechanics that could be the reasoning for this improvement.

If he’s truly improved his control and his changeup, Purcey could possibly be a number three starter in the majors.  But it is more likely that he’ll be a fourth or fifth starter.

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