Marcus Stroman

Marcus Stroman

Stroman pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 6
Starting pitcher
Born: (1991-05-01) May 1, 1991
Medford, New York
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 4, 2014, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Win–loss record 24–16
Earned run average 3.91
Strikeouts 295
WHIP 1.22
Teams

Marcus Earl Stroman (born May 1, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is listed at 180 lbs and is 5' 8" tall,[1] making him one of only six pitchers shorter than 5' 10" to make a start at the MLB level in the 21st century.[2]

High school & college

Stroman attended Patchogue-Medford High School. He was drafted in the 18th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft (532nd overall) by the Washington Nationals, but did not sign.[3] Stroman then attended Duke University, where he played college baseball for the Duke Blue Devils baseball team, and compiled a career record of 15–13 in 48 appearances, in addition to holding the Duke record for career strikeouts (290 over 222 innings pitched). He was also a position player for Duke, making 97 appearances, mostly at second base and shortstop.[4]

On May 15, 2016, Stroman graduated from Duke University with a bachelor's degree in sociology.[5]

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Billed by analysts as the most major league ready player available in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft,[6] Stroman was drafted by the Jays 22nd overall, and became the first Duke player ever selected in the first round.[7] After starting his professional career with the Low-A Vancouver Canadians, the Blue Jays promoted Stroman to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats on August 1, 2012.[8] Stroman was suspended for 50 games on August 28, 2012, for testing positive for methylhexanamine, a banned stimulant.[9]

Having completed his suspension, Stroman started and pitched five scoreless innings to get the win in the May 19, 2013 game for the Fisher Cats.[10][11] On July 2, 2013, Stroman struck out 13 batters over 6 2⁄3 innings in a 3–1 loss to the New Britain Rock Cats.[12] He was ranked as the number 3 prospect in the Blue Jays organization on July 26, 2013, when the revised Top 100 Prospects list was released.[13]

Stroman attended the Blue Jays' 2014 major league spring training camp, and was assigned to the minor league camp on March 19.[14] He was the 2014 Opening Day starting pitcher for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[15]

Major League career

2014 season

Stroman was called up to the Blue Jays on May 3, 2014, after Brandon Morrow was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.[16] At the time of his call-up, he was considered the organization's number two prospect.[17] He earned his first MLB victory on May 6, pitching 1 1⁄3 innings in relief of Drew Hutchison.[18] Stroman was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo on May 18, and was recalled on May 30 to make his first Major League start the following day. He pitched six innings and surrendered only one earned run on five hits, striking out six and issuing no walks to earn the win over the Kansas City Royals.[19] On August 9, Stroman pitched nine innings for the first time in his career, but came away with a no-decision as the Blue Jays defeated the Detroit Tigers 3–2 in extra innings.[20] He would earn his first complete game and shutout on September 8, needing only 93 pitches to beat the Chicago Cubs, 8–0. Stroman yielded only three hits and at one point had retired 19 consecutive batters.[21][22]

On September 17, Stroman was suspended six games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at Caleb Joseph during a game against the Baltimore Orioles. Immediately following the announcement, he filed an appeal of the suspension.[23] On September 21, Stroman dropped his appeal, and MLB reduced his suspension to five games.[24] It was announced shortly afterward that upon his return from the suspension, he would be moved to the bullpen for the remainder of the season.[25] Stroman pitched four innings in relief of Drew Hutchison's final start of the season on September 26, and earned his first career save. He did not appear in the final two games of the Blue Jays season, and finished 2014 with an 11–6 record, 3.65 ERA, 111 strikeouts, and a 1.17 WHIP in 130 2⁄3 innings pitched.[26]

2015 season

Stroman in his 2015 debut

On October 6, 2014, Stroman announced through his Twitter account that he would change his uniform number from 54 to 6 in honor of his grandmother.[27] During spring training in 2015, Stroman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and was seemingly ruled out for 2015.[28] He underwent a successful surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews, to repair his ACL.[29] Stroman was placed on the 60-day disabled list on April 5.[30] While receiving rehab Stroman returned to Duke University to finish his degree, majoring in Sociology with a minor in Markets and Management Studies.[31]

On August 5, it was announced that he would begin a rehab assignment later in the month.[32] He threw off a mound for the first time since his injury on August 11, after receiving medical clearance the day prior.[33] General Manager Alex Anthopoulos stated that Stroman would be stretched out as a starter in his rehab.[34] Stroman threw a 40-pitch simulated game on August 24,[35] and a 51-pitch game on August 28.[36] On September 2, he made his Class-A debut with the Lansing Lugnuts and pitched 4 2⁄3 innings, yielding no hits while walking one and striking out seven.[37] He made his second and final rehab start on September 7, with the Buffalo Bisons.[38] Manager John Gibbons confirmed on September 8 that Stroman would return as a starting pitcher, and make his 2015 debut against the New York Yankees on September 12.[39] He was activated from the 60-day disabled list on September 11,[40] and started the second game of a doubleheader the following day. Stroman would pitch five innings and earn the win, yielding three runs before being removed due to a rain delay.[41] He would make three more starts and finish the 2015 regular season with a 4–0 record, 1.67 ERA, and 18 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched.[26]

Stroman made his MLB postseason debut in Game 2 of the 2015 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers. He gave up three earned runs and struck out five, retiring 14 consecutive batters at one point. He pitched seven innings and received a no-decision in the loss.[42] He started again in game 5 of the same series, allowing six hits and two earned runs over six innings in an eventual 6–3 Blue Jays victory.

2016 season

On March 23, 2016, Stroman was named the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays.[43] He pitched into the ninth inning, holding the Tampa Bay Rays to three runs on six hits, while striking out 5 in a 5–3 win.[44] Stroman established a new career-high in strikeouts, with 9, in a 5–1 win over the Rays on May 1. He also set a Blue Jays franchise-record for strikeouts on a pitcher's birthday, surpassing David Price, Marc Rzepczynski, and Roy Halladay, who each had 8 strikeouts in starts on their birthdays.[45] Stroman improved on his single-game strikeout record on August 1, when he struck out 13 Houston Astros batters in a no-decision.[46] He finished the 2016 regular season with a 9–10 record, 4.37 ERA, and 166 strikeouts over a career-high 204 innings pitched.[26] On October 3, the Blue Jays announced that Stroman would start the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles the following day.[47] He pitched a full six innings, giving up just two earned runs and striking out six, as the Blue Jays won the game 5–2 in extra innings and advanced to the 2016 American League Division Series to play the Texas Rangers.[48] During the offseason, Stroman announced that he would play for Team USA at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[49]

Pitching style

Stroman's repertoire includes 6 pitches: his four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball average 93.5 miles per hour (150.5 km/h) and 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) respectively. His off-speed pitches include a curveball at 82.5 miles per hour (132.8 km/h), a changeup at 85 miles per hour (137 km/h), a cutter at 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), and a slider at 86 miles per hour (138 km/h).[50][51]

Personal life

Stroman was born in Medford, New York,[3] to Earl Stroman and Adlin Auffant,[52] who divorced when he was in 5th grade. His mother is of Puerto Rican descent,[53] and he has stated in the past that he would like to represent Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.[54] His father is a police detective in New York.[55] Stroman has a brother, Jayden, and sister, Sabria.[56] His cousin, Erskine Kelley, played minor league baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs organizations.[57] Stroman has several tattoos, including a large tribute on his left shoulder to his grandmother, Gloria Major, who would regularly attend his high school games and died while he was attending Duke University.[58]

In 1997, a six-year-old Stroman made an appearance on the Nickelodeon game show Figure It Out.[59]

On January 9, 2015, Stroman completed the legal process for trademarking "Height Doesn't Measure Heart" and "HDMH".[60] Since mid-2015, he has produced caps with New Era that feature his trademarks.[61]

References

  1. ↑ Pedias, Matthew (January 10, 2015). "Blue Jays' Stroman trademarks catchphrase". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  2. ↑ Lindbergh, Ben (August 21, 2014). "The Top Prospect Progress Poll". grantland.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Bio - Marcus Stroman". stroshow.com. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Marcus Stroman Bio - Duke University Blue Devils". GoDuke.com. December 15, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Stroman 'can't wait' to walk at Duke graduation". mlb.com. May 15, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  6. ↑ Amos, Craig (August 1, 2012). "Marcus Stroman Extends Scoreless Streak to 10 Innings with Vancouver Canadians". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  7. ↑ Pleskoff, Bernie (December 13, 2013). "Stroman mixes a power arm with a deadly arsenal". MLB.com. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  8. ↑ Ewen, Steve (August 1, 2012). "Marcus Stroman gets the call to Double-A, leaves the Vancouver Canadians". TheProvince.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  9. ↑ Lott, John (August 28, 2012). "Jays prospect Marcus Stroman suspended 50 games for use of banned substance". The National Post. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Homers Lead to Sweep of Rock Cats, 7-4". New Hampshire Fisher Cats. May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  11. ↑ Peaslee, Evan (May 20, 2013). "Elite prospect Stroman makes first '13 start". MLB.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  12. ↑ Roberts, Quinn (July 3, 2013). "Stroman ties Double-A New Hampshire whiff mark". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  13. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (July 26, 2013). "Pitching remains strength in Blue Jays system". MLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Blue Jays assign Marcus Stroman, Ricky Romero to minor league camp". Buffalo Bisons. March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  15. ↑ Moritz, Amy (April 2, 2014). "Herd's Stroman has huge chip on his shoulder". buffalonews.com. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  16. ↑ Baer, Bill (May 3, 2014). "Blue Jays call up pitching prospect Marcus Stroman". hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  17. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (May 3, 2014). "Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect Stroman to join 'pen". MLB.com. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  18. ↑ Doyle, Shaun (May 6, 2014). "Blue Jays Game Recap: Drew Hutchison Shows Grit". jaysjournal.com. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Blue Jays score 7 runs in 1st to crush Royals". Sportsnet. May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  20. ↑ Ross, Jaime (August 9, 2014). "Reimold plays hero with 10th-inning walk-off double". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Stroman pitches first CG shutout in Jays' win". Sportsnet. September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  22. ↑ Davidi, Shi (September 8, 2014). "Stroman more than a flash in the pan for Jays". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  23. ↑ "MLB suspends Jays' Stroman six games; appeal launched". TSN.ca. September 17, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  24. ↑ Davidi, Shi (September 21, 2014). "Stroman gets six-game suspension cut to five". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  25. ↑ Koreen, Eric (September 23, 2014). "Toronto Blue Jays rookie Marcus Stroman's year as a starter comes to a close". sports.nationalpost.com. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  26. 1 2 3 "Marcus Stroman Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  27. ↑ McKenna, Ryan (October 6, 2014). "Blue Jays SP Stroman changing to No. 6 in 2015". Sportsnet. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  28. ↑ Gleeman, Aaron (March 10, 2015). "Blue Jays lose Marcus Stroman for the season with a torn ACL". hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  29. ↑ Short, D.J. (March 19, 2015). "Marcus Stroman undergoes knee surgery". hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  30. ↑ Creech, Edward (April 5, 2015). "Blue Jays Designate Juan Oramas For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  31. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor. "Stroman to finish Duke degree while rehabbing knee". MLB.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Stroman rehab assignment tentatively slated for Aug. 21". Sportsnet. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  33. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (August 10, 2015). "Stroman cleared to begin throwing program". MLB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  34. ↑ Ross, Jamie (August 11, 2015). "Stroman throws off mound for 1st time post-injury". MLB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  35. ↑ Calcaterra, Craig (August 24, 2015). "Marcus Stroman fells "great" after a simulated game; could start a rehab assignment soon". hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  36. ↑ Ross, Jamie (August 28, 2015). "Stroman throws simulated game in Dunedin". MLB.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  37. ↑ Zwelling, Arden (September 2, 2015). "Stroman cruises in rehab start with single-A Lansing". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  38. ↑ Kennedy, Brendan (September 7, 2015). "Marcus Stroman roughed up in final rehab start". thestar.com. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  39. ↑ Collier, Jamal (September 8, 2015). "Stroman to return vs. Yankees on Saturday". MLB.com. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Blue Jays activate Stroman, transfer Travis to 60-day DL". Sportsnet. September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  41. ↑ Kennedy, Brendan (September 12, 2015). "Marcus Stroman makes long-awaited season debut for Jays". thestar.com. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays - Box Score - October 9, 2015". scores.espn.go.com. October 9, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  43. ↑ Wilner, Mike (March 23, 2016). "Marcus Stroman named Blue Jays opening day starter". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  44. ↑ Chastain, Bill; Chisholm, Gregor (April 3, 2016). "Stroman sets tone, Blue Jays hold off Rays in opener". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  45. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (May 1, 2016). "Stroman celebrates in style with shutdown start". MLB.com. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  46. ↑ Ray, Jordan; Chisholm, Gregor (August 2, 2016). "Blue Jays nipped in 14th after Martin's clutch blast". MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Blue Jays' Stroman to start AL wild-card game vs. Orioles". Sportsnet. October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  48. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor; Ghiroli, Brittany (October 5, 2016). "Blue Jays oust O's in 11th on Edwin's blast". MLB.com. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Blue Jays' Stroman announces he's pitching for Team USA at WBC". Sportsnet. December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  50. ↑ "FanGraphs Marcus Stroman Pitch Type". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  51. ↑ Ross, Jaime (August 28, 2014). "Stroman's varied approach spicing things up". MLB.com. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  52. ↑ Rieber, Anthony (June 17, 2014). "Marcus Stroman's first game at Yankee Stadium 'a dream come true'". newsday.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Marcus Stroman on Twitter". Twitter. March 8, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Marcus Stroman on Twitter". Twitter. September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  55. ↑ Lott, John (February 25, 2013). "Blue Jays prospect Marcus Stroman has a big personality, on Twitter and off". sports.nationalpost.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  56. ↑ "Marcus Stroman Bio". goduke.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  57. ↑ Wild, Danny (February 13, 2013). "Q&A: Jays' Stroman eager to start". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  58. ↑ Zwelling, Arden (May 30, 2014). "Blue Jays' RHP Stroman is going to be big". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  59. ↑ Perry, Dayn (December 3, 2015). "WATCH: Here's Marcus Stroman, age 6, on Nickelodeon's 'Figure It Out'". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  60. ↑ Pedias, Matthew (January 9, 2015). "Blue Jays' Stroman trademarks catchphrase". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  61. ↑ "Marcus Stroman teams with New Era to design his own collection of hats". TSN.ca. July 25, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2016.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Drew Hutchison		 Opening Day starting pitcher
for the Toronto Blue Jays
2016 – Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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