Jake Odorizzi
Age: March 27th, 1990 (29)Traditional Stats: 15-7, 3.51 ERA, 1.208 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 10.1 K/9
Advanced Stats: 3.6 bWAR, 4.3 fWAR, 131 ERA+, 3.36 FIP
Jake Odorizzi was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 MLB draft.
In 2010, Odorizzi was dealt to the Kansas City Royals in a mega-deal package with the Milwaukee Brewers along with Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, and Jeremy Jeffress in exchange for Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt in 2010. Prior to the 2011 season, Baseball America named Odorizzi the 69th best prospect in major league baseball. By mid-season, he improved this ranking to 23rd best in the league.
Odorizzi appeared in the 2012 Futures Game and went on to make his major league debut later that season in September. Three months later, Odorizzi was once again a part of an off-season trade as the Royals sent him, Will Myers, Mike Montgomery, and Patrick Leonard to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitchers Wade Davis and James Shield.
From 2013-2017, Odorizzi made 124 starts with the Rays going 40-37 with a 3.85 ERA and struck out 629 batters. In February of 2018, Odorizzi was traded for the third time in his career to the Minnesota Twins for minor league shortstop Jermaine Palacios.
Despite an underwhelming first season with the Twins (7-10, 4.49 ERA, 4.19 FIP, 1.345 WHIP), Odorizzi bounced back for a breakout 2019 campaign. The right-hander made his first All-Star appearance and helped the Twins capture their first division title since 2010. Odorizzi went 15-7 with a 3.6 bWar, 3.51 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 1.208 WHIP.
Odorizzi pitched game three of the 2019 ALDS against the New York Yankees earlier in October going five innings allowing two-runs on five hits while striking out five. Unfortunately, the Twins lost this game, which eliminated them from the Playoffs after being swept by the Yankees three-games-to-none.
Odorizzi throws five pitches including a four seam fastball between 91-96 mph, a cutter and splitter in the mid-80s, a slider in the low-80s, and a curveball that hangs around the mid-to-low 70s.
Contract
Odorizzi could command a deal close to the one Nathan Eovaldi signed last off-season for $17 million a season with the Red Sox. Odorizzi is turning just 30 in March, so he will likely be seeking a multi-year deal.
Recommendation
Odorizzi would be a solid addition to any team’s rotation as a third or fourth starter. If the Twins choose to let him walk in free agency, Odorizzi could be an intriguing option for pitcher needy teams like the Phillies, Brewers, Cubs, or Red Sox. If Zack Wheeler departs from Queens, the Mets could look into the right-handed starter, as well.
