Minor League Profile: Matt Gorgen

by FreeZorilla on Jun 3, 2009 4:18 PM EDT

Name: Matt Gorgen RHRP

Ht: 6'0 Wt: 210 BD: 1/27/87

Acquired: 16^th rd pick in 2008 out of UC Berkeley

Current Level: A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs

Upon being drafted, Gorgen was assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades. In Hudson Valley he struck out an insane 43.2% of batters faced with a 7 K:BB ratio. Gorgen posted a FIP of 2.07 with an ERA of 1.96 in 23 innings of relief work. Gorgen also induced a delectable 66.7% ground balls of ball in play. The Rays decided to bypass Bowling Green and assigned Gorgen directly to the A+ level Stone Crabs.

Despite skipping a level, Gorgen continues his domination out of the bullpen. He is striking out 33% of batters faced while his K/BB has fallen to a good but more earthly 2.91. He has stranded 97.7% of runners while posting a FIP of 2.72 and an ERA of 0.36. Yes, 0.36. All in a tidy 25 innings of work spanning 15 games. Yes, he has demonstrated the ability to go multiple innings. Gorgen works primarily off his mid 80's cutter and a fastball in the low 90's. It would be nice to see him develop a trustworthy off speed pitch to increase the chance of future success at higher levels.

He seems to have great potential as a reliever with a high strikeout rate and ground ball %, limited walks and ability to keep the ball within the stadium perimeter.

Gorgen's twin brother Scott was drafted into the Cardinals organization in the 4^th round. Despite being drafting 12 rounds later, Matt has had the more promising beginning. Scott, who does feature a changeup, is also in A+ ball but is being featured as a starter with a FIP of 4.77. Keep an eye of the development of Matt Gorgen as he continues his rise through the farm system. His traditional and advanced stats can be found below courtesy of fangraphs:

Season	Team	ERA	G	SV	IP	TBF	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
2008	HV A-	1.96	22	13	23	81	7	5	2	5	35
2009	Charlotte A+	0.36	15	8	25	97	14	1	1	11	32

Year	Team	K/9	BB/9	K/BB	HR/9	AVG	WHIP	BABIP	LOB%	FIP
2008	HV A-	13.7	1.96	7	0.78	0.097	0.52	0.143	78.40%	2.07
2009	Char A+	11.52	3.96	2.91	0.36	0.166	1	0.252	97.70%	2.72

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Love love love Gorgen

www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jun 3, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

any chance Gorgen ends up in Montgomery by the ASB.

I was hoping Ryan Reid would end up in Durham by than but he has struggled with command this year.

by Dbullsfan on Jun 3, 2009 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

67 strikeouts in only 45 innings

Wow. Does he throw anything other than fastball and cutter?

by GvilleRay on Jun 3, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

*48 innings

by GvilleRay on Jun 3, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

He's been in the bullpen for a while(since he stepped foot on a collge campus)

So he’s probably only needed the two pitches.

www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jun 3, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I read and enjoyed this posting.

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jun 3, 2009 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

Best of a number of better RP's

in Rays lower minors. This has been a major gap in the Rays system for a few years – but that’s no fault of the current FO. A number of ’07 and ’08 draftees are doing well in the lower level pens. Not much to speak of from the 3 drafts prior to that.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Jun 3, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

There's more high upside guys from before then

Davis, Hellickson, etc.

Besides, minor league RPs tend to be fungible. It’s nice to get one that pans out, but more often than not, it’s going to be someone who’s a starter moving up the ladder. I liked Gorgen when we drafted him though, and I was surprised he dropped as far as he did. Once upon a time he was considered to be the better Gorgen brother.

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"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Jun 3, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions