Jose A. Ferrer began the 2024 marketing campaign on the IL after struggling a strained teres main muscle in his higher again in Spring Coaching, and the 23-year-old southpaw didn’t pitch within the majors till mid-July, however in an abbreviated season, he made a powerful impression on Davey Martinez.
In 31 video games and 32 innings pitched on the 12 months, Ferrer, who signed with the Nationals as a world free agent in 2017, put up a 3.38 ERA, 2.76 FIP, six walks (1.69 BB/9), 25 Ks (7.03 Ok/9), and a .227/.271/.277 line towards general.
Ferrer held left-handed hitters to, “a .167 opponents’ common (7-for-42) with one extra-base hit (3B) this season,” because the Nationals famous of their 2024 Season in Evaluation, “… with left-handed hitters, “2-for-22 (.091) with six strikeouts and no walks in his final 15 appearances whereas going through a left-handed batter.”
Ferrer additionally put up, “a 1.42 ERA (4 ER/25.1 IP) with 19 strikeouts and two walks from Aug. 10-end of the season,” and through that stretch his supervisor talked typically in regards to the progress he noticed the reliever making.
“I believed when he first obtained damage, and so they advised me what it was, he was going to overlook a really very long time,” Martinez mentioned in mid-September. “However he’s a powerful child. He labored actually onerous to come back again. And the perfect factor is, he didn’t lose any of his velo.”
Ferrer’s sinker, which he threw 58.8% of the time, averaged 97.9 MPH, and opposing hitters hit simply .247 on the pitch, and he combined in a changeup (19.1%; 88.3 MPH; .227 BAA), his four-seamer (16.6%; 98.3 MPH; .235 BAA), and the occasional slider (5.5%; 88.0 MPH; .000 BAA).
“Every part’s intact,” Martinez continued.
“He’s understanding he has to keep up his power all through the season. He does all his work within the coaching room, and his legs are sturdy.
“I’m actually joyful that he bounced again the best way he did.”
Ferrer earned his first save within the majors just a few days after these feedback, boosting his personal confidence and Martinez’s confidence in him.
“I’ve all the time advised him that if he can management the strike zone and throw strikes, that he can pitch in high-leverage conditions,” Martinez mentioned after the save.
“He’s obtained an unbelievable fastball, numerous motion, changeup is admittedly, actually good, so with these two elite pitches, so long as he’s across the zone, he’s actually good.
“And tonight he was simply pumping strikes. Fastballs had been down, sink, changeup was actually good, efficient.”
Requested a pair days later in regards to the left-hander’s ceiling, Martinez mentioned he might see Ferrer persevering with to pitch in high-leverage conditions going ahead in a late-inning position.
“I feel he positively — if he retains doing what he’s doing he’s a again finish of the bullpen man.
“I have a look at him now and there’s not too many lefties popping out and throwing like him. The one one I can keep in mind is [Josh] Hader.”
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Photograph by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Photographs
“He’s finished nicely,” the skipper added.
“The largest factor with him is the power for him to throw strikes proper now and throw his fastball for strikes, and he’s obtained confidence, he’s obtained numerous confidence proper now, and I like that about him.”
“Once I first obtained right here, I had some unhealthy outings,” Ferrer mentioned, as quoted by MASN author Mark Zuckerman in September.
“And I used to be capable of hold working onerous and concentrate on the strike zone.
“I feel that helped me loads and gained some confidence.”
Over the ultimate weekend of the season, the Nationals’ supervisor was fielding questions on Ferrer probably closing for the membership sooner or later, and he didn’t dismiss the likelihood it’s the place Ferrer might find yourself.
“I positively see him as probably pitching high-leverage conditions on the again finish of the bullpen,” Martinez mentioned.
“He’s finished very well. I’ve been giving him extra alternatives to do this and he’s finished very well. Can I see him grow to be one thing else? Presumably, yeah. He’s powerful.
“He’s powerful on lefties and righties. He’s finished very well.
“He’s come a good distance. The damage he had earlier, we weren’t too positive when he was going to pitch once more, however he labored his means again and he’s doing very well now.”
Requested then why Ferrer’s sinker is so efficient, Martinez mentioned to maintain the sinker discuss on the hush-hush.
“I don’t know if he is aware of he throws a sinker, he simply throws the ball, and it’s very onerous, and the ball has superb horizontal break on it, yeah. However it’s very efficient, yeah. The explanation why I say that, I don’t need to begin placing issues in his head, and hastily he says, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to throw a sinker.’ Subsequent factor you realize he’s throwing bowling balls, so he’s doing nicely, yeah.”
