Toronto Blue Jays: Getting to know Oliver Drake

We take a look at new pitcher Oliver Drake, who the Toronto Blue Jays claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.

The biggest new for Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, was understandably trading J.A. Happ to the New York Yankees. While it’s a shame to see Happ leave, it was inevitable once it became clear the team would not be a realistic contender for the postseason.

However, while one pitcher was getting ready to leave Toronto, another was preparing to arrive. As reported by Sportsnet‘s Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Blue Jays have claimed Oliver Drake off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.

The immediate reaction of most people was underwhelming, and with good reason. Drake has an ERA of 7.01 on the year, and the Blue Jays will be the fourth team he has pitched for in 2018.

Regardless, the 31-year-old will join the Jays’ bullpen with immediate effect, as a middle relief pitcher. The question is, does he bring anything of use to the team, or is he effectively just there to make up the numbers?

Certainly, Drake’s career ERA and WHIP both make for uninspiring reading (4.84 and 1.535 respectively). However, he does have some potential to provide value.

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One of the main reasons for hope comes down to the right-handers strikeout rate per nine innings, with him averaging 9.5 on the season, and 9.9 for his career. He also has a decent swinging-strike rate of 13.7 percent this year.

Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors makes reference to Drake’s excellent record in Triple-A. In 110 innings, he has recorded a 2.05 ERA, 155 strikeouts and just 43 walks.

Of course, as impressive as that production is, it won’t matter in the Majors. Drake needs to raise his game at the highest level, in order to prove all the doubters wrong.

One thing fans may find intriguing about the Worcester, Massachusetts native, is that he has added a new pitch to his arsenal this season. After previously relying on a fourseam fastball and splitter, he is now also throwing a curveball.

Drake first started experimenting with his curveball while he was with the Milwaukee Brewers, and has been using it ever since. Speaking about it to J.P. Hoornstra of The Orange County Register last month, he said:

"“It’s just one of those things, the majority of my career I’d just been a fastball/split-finger guy. I thought it was beneficial to have kind of a different look. That was something they talked to me a little bit about in Milwaukee at the end of last year. So I spent some time this offseason working on it. Its turned into a decent pitch for me.”"

Drake has used the curveball on 43 occasions so far in 2018. And the results have been extremely impressive, with just one hit allowed (a single).

Whether the curveball is enough to help the 2008 43rd round draft pick stick around in the Majors, is another matter altogether. But it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on, when he comes in to pitch for the Blue Jays.

In respect of Drake’s contract situation, he is earning $554,300 this season and will be pre-arbitration eligible next year. He is arbitration-eligible between 2020-22 and in line to become a free agent in 2023.

Are you familiar at all with Drake? Are you expecting any type of positive impact, or do you predict he will continue his disappointing season with the Toronto Blue Jays? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.