Bryan Warzek: From Privateer Silver and Blue to Dodger Blue

Posted By on November 21, 2018

The past number of days AC and MT have been on fire. I’m not sure a blog has ever seen such in depth analyses of Dodger needs and possible solutions.  I doubt that AF has as much on the big board in his office. However, I do expect he has some ideas. If not, he should read LADT regularly.

 

To try to follow in the path blazed by AC and MT would be more than risky so I will retreat to my first baseball love, the minor leagues. Unfortunately, there is not much going on as so few Dodger minor leaguers are playing winter ball at this point. Gersel Pitre has started play in the Venezuelan League and has two hits in five at bats. He is listed as a catcher which is helpful as part of his resume, but his future is not behind the plate in the Dodgers organization. During the 2018 season with the Loons – out of necessity – he mostly caught but played some first base and outfield. He does hit well and may well make it to the big time at some point.

 

By the time this is posted the Dodgers will have named who they will be protecting from the Rule 5 Draft and how 40-man roster spots have been cleared. Then minor league signings of free agents will accelerate.

 

In the meantime, something caught my eye from a previous article I had written. A while back I wrote about Justin Yurchak whom the Dodgers had acquired in a trade with the White Sox for left-hander Manny Banuelos. When I did a bit of research on Yurchak I noted he had attended Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, New York. That rang a bit of a bell for me as how often do we come across “Shenendehowa”? I had seen it before and had to search a bit to jog my memory.

 

Ever more slowly each year my memory kicks in and I knew to check the Loons 2018 roster. It turns out one of my favorite Loons, accompanied by high expectations for him, attended high school with Justin Yurchak during the 2013-2014 seasons. That Loon is left-hander Bryan Warzek.  The two should be reunited in 2019, not only in spring training, but at some point, with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes during the upcoming season. I expect Yurchak to begin the season with the Loons and Warzek with the Quakes.

 

Warzek was selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2018 First-Year Player draft out of the University of New Orleans. This is the highest a Privateer player has gone since Johnny Giavotella went in the second round in 2008. Giavotella has hit .303 over 862 minor league games and .255 in 360 MLB games.

 

There is not much about Bryan Warzek in terms of his personal life but enough from his coaches along the way to gather some insight into his make up as a prospective MLB pitcher.  Perhaps something like a vignette with three scenes.

 

Scene 1 – High School Ball

 

Warzek, as a junior at Shenendehowa High School on June 16, 2014, faced the strong Section I champion Ketcham Indians in a semifinal game. In his first inning of work he loaded the bases on eight pitches. That was just about it for the game. Not for the young left-hander, but for the Indians. He finished off the inning with a strikeout, a fly ball out and another strikeout. Those three outs were recorded against Ketcham’s top hitters. He went on to win the game 5-0 recording 14 strikeouts and allowing only two hits.

 

Warzek said the Ketcham student section that was set up beside the Shenendehowa bullpen was raucous, but they didn’t affect him.

 

“I didn’t let it bother me, but the first inning got a little rough,” he said. “Some of my pitches weren’t working, but I got out of it, and then my batters, they did what they do.”

 

Coach Greg Christodulu painted the picture we all want to see. “Bryan had pitched into some situations throughout the course of the game, and probably the thing that kept Bryan in was he continued to battle back,” Christodulu said. “Even when he fell behind in the count, he battled back.”

 

Warzek further helped his own cause by shutting down the Ketcham running game.

 

“He kept their runners close,” Christodulu said. “They had a ton of stolen bases throughout the course of the season. A lot of their guys in their lineup ran, and I know they only had one stolen base today. Bryan kept them at bay with their running game, which is a big part of their offense.”

 

Scene 2 –  College Ball

 

During his junior year with New Orleans Warzek posted a 2.82 ERA along with a 1.21 WHIP allowing 75 hits over 95.2 innings while striking out 127 and walking 41. His 127 strikeout led the the Southland Conference and were the 13th highest in the nation. He finished with a league-best 2.13 ERA in 2017.

 

As with his high school work, he was called upon at the college level to carry the team in a game that would cement a play-off position. On May 19, 2018 he shut out Northwestern State through eight innings of an 8-1 victory in the first game of a regular-season ending doubleheader. Warzek was acknowledged by his coach as being the go to guy throughout the season.

 

“He’s obviously been our stallion all year,” coach Blake Dean said. “You can’t ask for anything more than eight shutout innings.”

 

“We are extremely excited for the opportunity Bryan has been presented with,” said head coach Blake Dean. “The Dodgers are a first-class organization with a rich history. I witnessed the growth of a young man who came in and struggled as a freshman but worked tirelessly to turn himself into one of the best pitchers to ever wear Privateers across his chest. His future is bright, and we appreciate his commitment to our program, university and the city of New Orleans.”

 

Scene 3 – Professional Ball

 

“It is a surreal feeling,” said Warzek. “I want to thank my coaches, teammates, family and friends. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to play for New Orleans. To be drafted by an amazing organization is a blessing.”

 

Bryan Warzek began his professional career on July 7 pitching a scoreless inning against the Diamondbacks in the Arizona League. After two appearances with the AZL Dodgers he debuted with the Great Lakes Loons on July 19.

 

On the season in the Midwest League he recorded a 2.75 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP along with 33 strikeouts over 19.2 innings. He walked but three. He made three starts in his eight appearances with the Loons and was on a strict 45-pitch count regime. His K/9 during his 22.1 innings in 2018 was 15.3.

 

That is the type of pitcher that Warzek strives to be. That is, one in tight situations and one that puts hitters away.

 

“I’ve always tried to be a strikeout guy,” explained Warzek. “I want to be that guy you want out there in a tight situation, and I think I’m doing a great job so far. But I also need to give a lot of credit to my catchers, because the pitch calling has been excellent and that helps more than anything.”

 

Brian Crawford of Baseball Essentials writes: “What makes Warzek so hard for hitters to figure out is the feel he has for his three pitches: fastball, curveball, and changeup. It’s not the variety that makes the lefty hard to hit, it’s the fact he can use any pitch as an out pitch.”

 

“I can use my fastball as an out pitch, but I’m more comfortable with my breaking pitch and changeup,” said Warzek. “Every pitch can be used as a setup pitch and vice versa, and I think that helps me a lot.”

 

Scene 4

 

Scene 4 is yet to be played out. I expect Bryan Warzek to begin the 2019 campaign with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and to resume his work as a starter at some point. His success may depend on his stamina as a professional and his ability to get right-handers out by means other than strikeouts. Forty-five of his college 46 appearances were as starters.

 

If you have a little blue book of Dodger prospects, add the 21-year-old lefty (22 in January) to your list.

 

This article has 48 Comments

  1. I love to hear about our farm kids. So few make it to the majors. It has to be a labor of love for everyone. Good article. Yes, this sight has great information. Everyone respects each other’s opinions. Love it.

  2. Yurchak & Warzek high school teammates who may/will be playing together on the same professional team. How cool is that? I am sure that it happens more than I would think, but admittedly, that is not something I think about. My son only had one high school teammate who ever played professional baseball, but Joey Roselli played for the Giants.
    .
    On the last thread, Dionysis asked – AC–Is there any difference in the status of jackson/santana/sopko vs. Joe? Thanks
    .
    I assume that with status you are referring to the Rule 5 Draft. I am also assuming that you are referring to Cristian Santana, and not Dennis. The answer for the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft is that there is no difference. They are all eligible to be selected on December 13. As far as being protected for the minor league portion, I do not know who has been protected yet.
    .
    I do not see C. Santana or Andy Sopko being selected in the Major League Rule 5 draft. It is possible that Drew Jackson and Connor Joe can be selected as both might be able to stick with a ML team as a utility player for the year.
    .
    One other thought that came to me with respect to Tim Locastro being designated…Could he be SF bound? Farhan traded for him once before. SF could easily make room on their 40 man for a utility player. We know Zaidi loves his utility players for that depth and flexibility.

  3. DC, – Great Read! You are definitely not lagging. We love this stuff. It reminds me of my yuoungest son, who doesn’t really like baseball. He played T-ball and that was it. He was always a football guy from the 3rd grade on and ended his football career with a State Championship, Team MVP and All-State Honors. However, as a freshman, he decided to try baseball. He’s a LH so they put him at 1B and pitcher. On the opening day of the season, they put him at starting pither because he could throw hard… nevermind the control. He walked the first 8 batters and that was his last season…

  4. Just read an article on Forbes about how the Indians need outfielders. Is there a match? I like Yan Gomes and think he’d be a perfect fit.

      1. Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers are talking to the Indians about starters and Gomes. My choice would be Joc, Taylor, Wood, Alvarez, Fields, Smith and Rios for Kluber and Gomes

        1. I would absolutely love to have both Kluber and Gomes. While none of the Dodgers included are irreplaceable in the short or long term, it is still a 7 for 2 deal which is probably too much from the Dodgers. However, the big problem with your proposal is that the Indians would be losing 2 from the 40 man, but would have to include 6 (Wood, Joc, CT3, Fields, Alvarez, & Rios). They are at 40 so this is going to be an issue. I am sure that nothing is insurmountable, but as proposed it cannot work.
          .
          As you proposed it, financially it helps both teams. The Indians are more concerned about “real” payroll vs CBT payroll, which they are not close to exceeding the threshold. The Indians will be giving up $22MM of “real” payroll, and assuming $19.3MM. But the Dodgers will be losing $19.3MM CBT payroll and assuming only $11.533 MM.
          .
          I like the addition of Smith because the Indians traded their top catcher prospect, Francisco Mejia, to the Pads for Brad Hand. They need to replace Mejia as a top rated catcher (MLB #2), and Smith (MLB #8) gives them that opportunity. Being from Louisville, he probably grew up a Reds fan, but maybe a little Cleveland. Plus Smith does not have to be included on the 40 man.
          .
          I am sure that a Kluber and Gomes transaction is doable and being researched, but it needs to be configured so that the roster is workable.

          2. Great points and my bad. I think Joc, Wood and CT3 would be in a deal maybe add White, Sierra and Cody Thomas maybe a low level arm would get it done

    1. I am a Tim Locastro fan, and I want him to find a team he can stick with. If it is the Giants, so be it. At least I would have one player that I would root for (except against LAD). Although admittedly I am a closet Buster Posey fan. But don’t let anybody else know.

        1. Posey, Trout, and Corey, all seem to have that same type of make up.

          Because these guys don’t let their emotions, get in the way of their game.

          That is the difference between Harper and Trout, too.

    1. Gomes’ true payroll is $7MM, but his CBT payroll is $3.833MM. He can easily be infused into the Dodgers’ self imposed financial constraints. Just considering OFers, Joc & Puig would offset the CBT payroll, and CT3 would be close. Joc and Farmer for Gomes?

      3. AC

        I am with you, about those self imposed financial constraints.

        This is LA and the Dodgers are the second most valuable team, in baseball.

        And I am not saying I want them to spend foolishly.

        I just hope that proposal was more to sell a share of the team, to a prospective buyers.

  8. Love these articles DC! Thanks for taking the time to provide the detail and insight on some of the lesser known prospects. It’s many a young man’s dream to be a major league baseball player and it is an extremely difficult goal to achieve. Moreover, the life of a minor league player leaves a whole lot to be desired. I followed Warzek after he was drafted and was impressed by his success (which I know is hard to measure in the minor leagues, since statistics can be skewed by the concept of “player development”). I’m going to root for him even more now.
    .
    for a trade with Cleveland, I propose the following: Pederson//Will Smith/Sheffield/Heredia/and Robinson Ortiz for Kluber or Bauer/Gomes and Quentin Holmes.

    2. Thanks 2D2. As mentioned before, I personally assign the same value to every minor league player. That is, as young men all chasing an impossible dream.

  9. The Yankees have acquired outfielder Tim Locastro from the Dodgers, per a club announcement. Righty Drew Finley and cash considerations will head to Los Angeles in return.

  10. Yankees Acquire Tim Locastro
    By Jeff Todd | November 21, 2018 at 1:47pm CDT

    The Yankees have acquired infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro from the Dodgers, per a club announcement. Righty Drew Finley and cash considerations will head to Los Angeles in return.

    Locastro was dropped from the L.A. 40-man yesterday, among many other moves. He has experience all over the diamond, with most of his time in the minors coming at second base and shortstop, but was announced by the Yanks as an outfielder.

    It seems his likeliest fit, though, is as a pure utility piece; perhaps he’ll have a shot at competing with Ronald Torreyes (assuming he’s tendered), Hanser Alberto, and any other potential contenders to take up a reserve role. It’s not hard to see why the Yankees had interest, given that broad defensive background combined with Locastro’s generally productive numbers at the plate in the upper minors. He’s a .283/.354/.401 hitter through 626 Double-A plate appearances and has turned in an eyebrow-raising .307/.402/.443 slash in his 471 trips to the dish at the game’s highest level.

    Finley, a 22-year-old righty, has yet to move past the low A level despite three attempts. In 120 innings as a professional over four seasons, he carries an unsightly 5.48 ERA with 9.7 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9. That said, Finley was a third-round pick back in 2015, and it could well be that the Dodgers still think there’s some talent to be unlocked.

        1. I never forget about our prospects no matter how small. I am still pulling for Luke Raley and Corey Copping. Heck, I still like Joey Curletta.

          1. Well, I do still have a soft spot for Luke prokopec and I once prayed at the Baseball America-lit alter of Joel Guzman, but today I’m focused more on the guys that can help us directly or indirectly. Locastro will not be my carlos santana.

      1. Did everyone know that pitcher Drew Finley, was the son of the Dodger’s Vice President of amateur and international scouting?

      2. I remember Billy Loes. He said he never wanted to win 20 games because then it would be expected every year.

    2. True story: I never believed in him. Martin was my favorite. Kemp and Guzman had the tools. Billingsley was supposed to be our longterm #2. And loney was the power-will-come guy. Broxton fell a bit short in the NLcs twice. Good times though.

  12. Wow. Next deadline is 11/30. Ten arbitration eligible Dodgers need to be tendered contracts or cut loose. Chances of all ten seem remote.

  13. While the Hot Stove league exercises are fun the purse strings are indeed tight. This may be a slower off season than last year if that is possible! Meanwhile I have turkey to cook and Football to watch so Happy Thanksgiving to all!

  15. Greg miller might have been the most disappointing prospect I’ve ever followed. He and e-jax were concurrent.

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