Scouting Report Jair Jurrjens

The Mets faced 24-year old Jair Jurrjens on April 24th when he took the loss, going 6 2/3 innings, allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. He missed some time this spring training with shoulder weakness, then missed 2 months this year with a torn hamstring. Last year the righty faced the Mets 5 times, and went 4-0 with a 1.60 ERA.


This is what I had written back on April 24th:
Jair Jurrjens was one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball last year, and finished with a 2.60 ERA, as a result of giving up three runs or less in 26 of his 34 starts (and never more than five runs). He has a smooth, easily repeatable delivery, with a 3/4 arm slot. He knows how to pitch, and adds/subtracts on his fastball depending on the situation, and it ranges from 88-94 mph. He took a big step forward last year by adding a slider (80 mph) with good bite to his excellent change-up (83 mph). He is a good athlete, but is not a pitcher that will contend for a ERA title again in my opinion (had an unrepeatable/uncontrollable .268 BAPIP last year).I would project him for a 3.8-3.9 ERA this year.

What has he done this year? Well in his 16 starts (95 innings), he has a 4.36 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He's striking out a below league average 6.2 K/9, and walking a respectable 3.0 W/9. His slider has been his best pitch this year, with his change-up getting hit hard. He throws 1st pitch fastball 72% of the time. He's 5-1 since returning from the DL at the end of June, with a 3.67 ERA in 71 innings, with 8 quality starts out of 11 games. His last start he got hit hard @ Colorado, lasting only 5 1/3 innings and letting 7 runs cross the plate, on 9 hits and 2 walks.