Signed a month apart in 2019, Jays prospects Robberse, Zulueta reunite at Futures Game
SEATTLE – Sem Robberse and Yosver Zulueta are the fruits of some further worldwide bonus pool house the Toronto Blue Jays acquired in 2019 trades transport out Kendrys Morales and Dwight Smith Jr., so it’s becoming the right-handers shared an inning of labor on the Futures Game.
Signed about month aside 4 years in the past, their paths within the membership’s farm system rapidly diverged; Robberse, 21, embarking on a sluggish and regular construct that’s carried him to double-A New Hampshire this yr, Zulueta, 25, overcoming Tommy John surgical procedure and a subsequent knee damage to blaze his method as much as triple-A Buffalo.
On Saturday, amid their continued push to the majors, they reunited at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park for Major League Baseball’s annual prospect showcase, Robberse permitting two groundball singles earlier than putting out his ultimate hitter, Zulueta following him with a success batter, a three-run double and two strikeouts trying, every name surviving an ABS (Automated Balls and Strikes) Challenge.
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Results apart, lining up alongside Robberse within the American League’s 5-0 loss to the National League “is something beautiful,” Zulueta stated earlier than the sport by way of interpreter Danny Sanchez. “It’s one of those experiences that we’re fortunate enough to have through the game of baseball and hopefully we’re able to continue on to the big-leagues, too, together.”
Added Robberse: “Starting at the same spot, at the same time, in a sense, and then being able to do this together is pretty cool.”
Of important significance to the Blue Jays is the place their paths lead from right here.
Zulueta, showing within the Futures Game for a second straight yr, needs to be first to achieve the majors, particularly after the group moved him out of the Bisons rotation right into a shorter, mid-to-high leverage reduction function. Given the Cuban’s age and time misplaced to accidents, getting him a enough base of labor to haul starter innings was unlikely, and his closer-stuff profile makes him viable as a late-inning bullpen arm greater than a bulk-inning candidate.
He’s struck out 47 batters and allowed only one house run in 41 innings over 26 video games, seven of them begins, at Buffalo however carried a 4.61 ERA that could be a by-product of ongoing command points resulting in an unpleasant 7.2 walks-per-nine fee.
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Not surprisingly, Zulueta identifies improved “command” and “getting ahead of hitters, getting that first strike” as his high developmental priorities. “Once I get that mastered,” he added, “I’m going to be ready.”
To that finish, he believes improved mechanics will get him there, saying he must “to be more consistent” along with his supply. But the transition to a shorter reduction stints is working for him, Zulueta saying, “I feel comfortable, I like that role, it’s a role that I feel good in.”
“I like the fact that when I’m pitching, it’s usually in pressure situations late in the game,” he continued. “I feel more adrenaline and I like that aspect to it.”
Robberse, in the meantime, stays methodical and unwavering in his pursuit of each achieve he can discover on the mound. Through 15 begins with the Fisher Cats, he’s posted a 4.19 ERA throughout 73 innings with 69 strikeouts, whereas making beneficial properties in his velocity, getting as much as 96 m.p.h. along with his fastball.
He enhances the heater with a slider, a cutter and a changeup and “the way I’ve been staying in the strike zone,” is what he most likes about his season to this point.
“I’ve been able to throw a lot of strikes and not shy away from that,” he continued. “I’ve given up some home runs (12), but I like to still think that I can attack and get the guys out with my stuff, even in the strike zone. So I’m happy that I’ve been able to have that mindset over the course of a half-season so far.”
Robberse’s velocity dipped a tick final yr, one thing he attributed to a decline in weight which he addressed this low season by upping his caloric consumption.
Believed to be the primary Netherlands-born participant to play within the Futures Game, every little thing he does on the mound is deliberate and well-thought out, refusing to depart something to probability.
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“I want to make sure that I know how I prepare my body, how my pitches work, what pitches I have,” Robberse stated. “I want to pitch and play and compete with my strengths and knowing what I can do. If I can add stuff to that list of my skills, then that becomes even harder for the opponent to get something done.”
At instances he’ll make changes from outing-to-outing, however he tends to consider adjustments extra when it comes to 4-to-6 week progressions, with a purpose to construct the muscle reminiscence essential to make one thing pure.
From a supply standpoint, “that’s kind of where I’ve been at right now, trying to find a way to reach my back leg the best and keep my velo consistent throughout the game,” he defined. “And alongside that, being more aware that I get to my spot and execute my pitches because that’s where I’ve been hurt. Whenever I leave something middle, damage gets done and I need to eliminate that. So I’ve been able to focus on executing my pitches.”
Robberse, who topped out at 95.1 m.p.h., was hit or miss on that entrance within the Futures Game, giving up singles to Yanquiel Fernandez and Brady House earlier than recovering to get B.J. Murray Jr. swinging on a fairly changeup.
Zulueta, getting as much as 97.9 m.p.h., took over and hit Dalton Rushing with a backfoot slider earlier than Nasim Nunez hooked his double down the left-field line. Then Justin Crawford and Victor Scott II each unsuccessfully challenged fastballs that caught a sliver of strike zone.
While not the best way both would have drawn it up, the chance is a memorable cease on what they hope is their eventual technique to the big-leagues.
“Obviously, there are a lot of eyes on you, especially in the baseball world,” stated Zulueta. “So to be here and share this with my teammates and be a part of this experience is really great.”
Said Robberse: “The fact that the dream has become a goal and it’s becoming closer and closer means I’ve been doing the right things. If I just keep going like that and find my weaknesses and make them stronger, I think we’re in a good spot.”
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