Randy Messenger
Born:
08/13/1981 (Age: 42)
Bats:
Right
Throws: Right
Arm Slot: Over the top
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 260
Primary Position: RHRP
Seconday Position: -
Throws: Right
Arm Slot: Over the top
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 260
Primary Position: RHRP
Seconday Position: -
Acquisition Period:
Signed as free agent (3-yr contract) by Hanshin Tigers (2013); Originally drafted 11th Rd.,1999 MLB First-Year Player Draft (MIA)
Entry Point: High School
Entry Point: High School
Report Info
| Evaluator: | Dave DeFreitas |
| Report Date: | June 26th, 2016 |
| Dates Seen: | 6/18 |
| Level: | MLB |
| Affiliate: | Hanshin Tigers - NPB Japan |
| MLB Team: | N/A |
Physical Description
Massive frame; long legs, thick lower half. Broad shoulders with soft midsection.
Mechanical Notes
Smooth, compact delivery; repeatable. Stays tall and gets very good angle. Stays online and gets good extension.
| MLB ETA | Future Floor | Future Ceiling | Realistic Role | Risk | 2017 | 40 | 50 | Role 50: #5 Starter | Moderate |
|---|
| Pitch | Present | Future | Sitting | Max | Comments |
| Fastball | |||||
| Fastball | 55 | 55 | 89-93 | 95 | Straight with some flat run; locates to both sides and will change eye level. Angle plays up; will get some ride up in the zone. |
| Straight with some flat run; locates to both sides and will change eye level. Angle plays up; will get some ride up in the zone. | |||||
| Curveball | |||||
| Curveball | 50 | 50 | 72-75 | 76 | 12-to-6 breaker, big shape. Has feel with it; use to both RHH and LHH; back-door. Will dial up some snap for put away. Same as the fastball out of hand, arm action plays it up. |
| 12-to-6 breaker, big shape. Has feel with it; use to both RHH and LHH; back-door. Will dial up some snap for put away. Same as the fastball out of hand, arm action plays it up. | |||||
| Slider | |||||
| Slider | 45 | 45 | 82-85 | 87 | Cutter/Slider variations; shallow, below-average depth; uses for strikes, back-door feel. Occasionally will show some late dart to glove side. |
| Cutter/Slider variations; shallow, below-average depth; uses for strikes, back-door feel. Occasionally will show some late dart to glove side. | |||||
| Splitter | |||||
| Splitter | 55 | 55 | 83-86 | 87 | Split-change action; deception in the arm speed with gradual fade, dive. Locates middle to arm side; will use to both RHH and LHH. |
| Split-change action; deception in the arm speed with gradual fade, dive. Locates middle to arm side; will use to both RHH and LHH. | |||||
| Overall Command | |||||
| Overall Command | 50 | 50 | |||
| Overall Control | |||||
| Overall Control | 50 | 50 | |||
MiLB Stats
Overall Summary
Durable RHSP who throws strikes and changes speeds well. Uses a 3-to-4 pitch mix and gets very good angle, drives downhill, keeps the ball on the ground. Downside of his career, but has value as a second-tier free agent option with some ability to eat innings in the back end of a MLB rotation. Fastball gets some flat run to both sides; likes to use in on left-handed hitters. Will pitch up in the zone with it at times, but by design; able to overpower some of the weaker NPB hitters. Split is go-to pitch; not the same hard bottom he has shown in years' past, but above-average feel and arm action plays it up. Showing an average curveball with ability to locate to both sides; big shape/hump; throws for strikes, will tighten up and take hitters out of zone. Cutter/Slider variations; majority were cutters in this look; stays on the edges, but up; slider is shallow, gradual, but located. Showed occasional late dart to glove side. Consistently around the zone, he will give up his hits; swing-and-miss rate is down, but still has that extra gear and maintains velo deep into starts. He is a better athlete than the body lets on and has been incredibly durable throughout his time in Japan. Chances are he stays in Japan where he stands to get a significantly larger contract. Expect two years and $6 million if he decides to leave the NPB.
