Given the prospects dwelling on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats roster, it’s easy to be overlooked. Just examine the case of right-hander T.J. Zeuch for a prime example.
On Monday the starting pitcher was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week following an eight-inning, two-hit performance, yet it barely made headlines. That’s because when you play on a double-A team with fellow Toronto Blue Jays prospects Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio, not to mention Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (currently on the DL), it’s hard to stand out.
But Zeuch, a first-round pick (21st overall) by the Blue Jays in 2016, has quietly found his footing after a rocky start following his promotion from high-A Dunedin in early May.
Congratulations to @EasternLeague Pitcher of the Week, T.J. Zeuch!
He only needed one start to do it: 8 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 K
Read more here: https://t.co/KJrapOJDpK pic.twitter.com/aA5ykFCEld
— NH Fisher Cats (@FisherCats) June 18, 2018
“He’s been outstanding his last five starts,” said Fisher Cats manager John Schneider during Baseball Central Tuesday afternoon on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
Over those five starts Zeuch has allowed just six runs across 35.2 innings (1.51 ERA), while holding opponents to a .189 batting average. The 22-year-old has also generated an impressive 62 per cent ground-ball rate.
“He’s six-foot-seven and he creates such a great angle and his ball sinks so much,” Schneider told hosts Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. “He’s got the ability to get hitters out in the zone, which I think really separates you at this level and up to the big leagues, where you don’t rely on so many chases and you can get guys out while your stuff is in the zone.”
Zeuch, ranked the No. 9 prospect in the Blue Jays system by MLB Pipeline, battled a back injury in 2017, his first full season in pro ball. But he gained momentum during a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League helped by improvements in command of his four pitches.
“He’s incorporated his change-up a little bit more in his game plans every day,” Schneider said. “I think that helps hitters get off his other stuff. At the same time, his breaking ball has been playing a tick up too. The sinker is his pitch, he can throw it any time and get some pretty good results, but when you throw in the mix of the other [pitches] … he’s been phenomenal.
Listen to the full interview with Schneider in the audio player below.
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