Ryan O’Sullivan was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 16, 2012 as the PTBNL to complete the August 3^rd trade of Joe Blanton to the Dodgers. He pitched effectively in a relief role for the Clearwater Threshers in 2013. I have to admit he was one of my favorite pitchers that year, I bid on and won his “game-worn” autographed jersey on Testicular Cancer Awareness Night. He pitched well enough to start the 2014 season with the Reading Fightin’ Phils. He was used in a variety of roles in Reading. He made 37 appearances – 12 as a starter and twice in failed save opportunities. He compiled a 7-8 record on a team that finished in last place with a 66-76 record and 22 games back. His regular season numbers at Reading were –

•          G         IP       H      R    ER   HR  HB   BB    K     Avg.   WHIP   GO/AO   W   L   SV  SVO
• AA   37   112.2   112   55   49    10    8      42   70   .258     1.37      1.56        7    8    0      2

He posted a 3.91 ERA. His 5.63 K/9 was slightly better than in Clearwater. His 3.38 BB/9 was almost a full walk better than in 2013.

O’Sullivan opened in Arizona as a starter in his first appearance. He was knocked around for 6 runs in 2.1 innings. He followed that up with another 6 runs in 1.1 innings of relief 6 days later. He continued in relief over his final 8 appearances. He fared much better in those 8 appearances allowing only 4 runs in 11.2 innings. He lost 2 games and blew his only save opportunity before recording a win in the Scorpions last game. His fall stats breakdown –

•            G      IP     H     R    ER HR HB BB  K   Avg.  WHIP GO/AO ERA      K/9   BB/9 K/BB   %S
• 1-2     2     3.2    13   12   12   0    1     2    0   .481   4.09    2.33     29.67   0.00  4.90   0.00   60%
• 3-10   8   11.2   11     4      4   0    0     3    7   .244   1.20    1.50       3.08   5.40   2.31   2.33   66%
• Tot.  10  15.1   24   16   16   0    1     5    7   .333   1.89    1.73       9.39   4.11   2.98   1.40   63%

As you can see above, his numbers in games 3 thru 10 were much better than in his first two appearances.

O’Sullivan threw 145 strikes in his 230 pitches for a 63% strike rate. He inherited 7 base runners and let 3 of them score. He never pitched more than 2 innings after his first appearance. Seven of his 9 relief appearances spannd 2 innings.

O’Sullivan pitched once at Surprise Stadium, his first appearance. He faced 15 batters and threw 48 pitches in 2.1 innings.

Gameday indicated that O‘Sullivan threw 26 fastballs, 12 changeups, 2 curveballs, 1 cutter, and 7 sliders. His fastball topped out at 92 mph and was mostly in the 90-91 mph range. Eight of the 15 fastball strikes he threw were put in play – 5 for outs and 3 run-scoring doubles. Five more were fouled off.

His 2 curveballs were at 80 mph and 81 mph, one for a ball and the other a run-scoring double.

His lone cutter was clocked at 91 mph and was taken for a ball.

His 7 sliders were in the 80-83 mph range. He threw 6 in the strike zone, three were put in play – 2 for fly ball outs and another for a run-scoring single.

His 12 changeups ranged from 80-86 mph. Eight were thrown in the strike zone. Two were put in play – one a ground out and the other a ground single. Of note here, the only 2 pitches where O’Sullivan was able to induce a swing and miss were changeups.

O’Sullivan is also eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this year. He’s a gutsy performer, but I would be surprised if he was protected.