Tyler Eppler, who got less than a real shot with the Orix Buffaloes last year, has been invited to the Washington Nationals spring training camp next month according to MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams.
According to analytic site Delta Graphs, his fastball was effective, but his progress was hamstrung by the Buffaloes converting a team-low .594 defensive efficiency rating behind him. On the farm, too, he was the Voros McCracken poster boy, allowing one home run and eight walks over 47 innings, while striking out 37 — yet allowing 62 hits, 31 runs, and a 5.36 ERA.
His NPB English language page is HERE.
HERE is our Japan Baseball Weekly Podcast episode when Tyler was our guest.
Eppler had good movement on his secondary pitches but adjusting to the high percentage of slap hitters in Japan sometimes takes a while. He came back from an extended trip to the farm team to work out the kinks and was fairly effective in middle relief.
