CDN in MILB Recap

We say hello to 🍁RHP Noah Skirrow...

NOAH SKIRROW

RHP, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies Triple-A)

6ft 3in, 215 lbs, dob. 07/21/1998 (25 yrs old), Cambridge ON

Acquired: UDFA signing, June 2020 by Philadelphia from Liberty University

SMURF’S SYNOPSIS:

A well-built RHP that can be a potential spot-starter with a 4-pitch arsenal (FB/Cutter-SL/CB/CU) if they can improve both their command and control which are currently below average.

YTD STATS (as of 08/08/23):

84.2 IP, G-GS: 19-14, SV: 1, 7-4, 6.06 ERA, 62 K, 42 BB, 1.67 WHIP

OUTINGS OBSERVED: July 27 v Syracuse (NYM) & August 4 v Buffalo (TOR)

PLAYER & GAME NOTES:

• Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A) 2022 strikeout leader (98.2 IP, 21 starts, 115 K, 32 BB)

• Well put together with minimal physical projection remaining

• Operates from the stretch using a waist-high leg kick with no runners on and using a quicker slide step with runners on base

• Delivery is simple with a higher arm slot

• 4 pitch mix: Fastball (92 avg, T94), Cutter/Slider (87 mph), Curveball (80 mph), Change Up (86 mph)

• Both of these outings were very high-stress:

  • July 27, relief appearance, entered T6 - 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, K, HR, 1.61 WHIP, 75 pitches, 43 strikes

  • Aug 4, starting pitcher - 3.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, HR, 1.67 WHIP, 75 pitches, 41 strikes

• Those WHIP numbers are not in a comfortable place and YTD they’re also in a rather uncomfortable place (1.67 YTD)

• A K/9 of 6.59 is a bit strange as it’s firmly below average after 2022 where he lead the Double-A club in strikeouts…which brings about…the double-digit walk rate (10.9%) is simply too high

• Above average Fly Ball rate (42.9%) plus an offensively generous HR/FB rate (14.4%) can sometimes equal = BARGER 421 FT HR

These outings frayed my nerves. There simply weren’t many at-bats that were anything close to comfortable. Noah was operating from the back foot a lot over these appearances. There were absolutely flashes of the Fightin Phils strikeout leader from 2022. The fastball played well up in the zone, generating some swing-and-miss. His curveball has a more vertical break with an 11-5ish shape that can get outs as well. Skirrow can also manipulate the shape of his cutter from a tighter action to a more traditional slider along with a change-up that shows decent arm-side run. There’s just an inconsistency in control and command as he struggled to get into the strike zone and hit his targets through both appearances. There may be a spot starter here as Noah has shown the ability to start over his pro career where he has appeared in 62 games, starting 49 of them. Noah improving his control and command is a must for any continued success. I’m pulling for him. Why? An undrafted Canadian, signing in 2020, and has made their way to Triple-A? I can get on board with that kind of story.

OFP RANGE: 30-40 (up/down emergency depth - spot starter/long-low leverage relief)

Thank you for checking in today and I’ll be talking with you all in a while. Until the next time…KEEP IT 80 GRADE.