Jose A. Ferrer started the 2024 season on the IL after suffering a teres major strain in his upper back during spring training, but the 23-year-old southpaw won’t be able to pitch in the majors until mid-July. He didn’t, but he pitched in the shortened game. He made a strong impression on Davey Martinez during the season.
Ferrer, who signed with the Nationals as an international free agent in 2017, pitched 31 games and 32 innings that year, posting a 3.38 ERA, 2.76 FIP, six walks (1.69 BB/9), and 25 Ks (7.03 K/). left behind. 9), a line of .227/.271/.277 overall.
As the Nationals said in their review of the 2024 season, Ferrer held left-handed hitters to a “.167 average (7 hits in 42 at bats) against left-handed hitters this season, with one extra-base hit (3B).” When facing left-handed batters: “In the past 15 games against left-handed batters, he has recorded 2 hits in 22 at bats (.091), 6 strikeouts, and no walks.”
Ferrer also achieved a “1.42 ERA (4 ERA/25.1 ERA) with 19 strikeouts and 2 walks from August 10 until the end of the season,” and during that period, his managers observed the progress of relief pitchers. I talked a lot about it.
“When he first got injured, when they told me what it was, I thought he was going to be out for a very long time,” Martinez said in mid-September. “But he’s a strong kid. He worked really hard to come back and the best part is he didn’t lose any of his velo.”
The sinkers that Ferrer pitched 58.8% of the time averaged 97.9 mph, opposing batters hit just .247, and he threw his changeup (19.1%, 88.3 mph, .227 BAA), four-seamer (16.6 %; 98.3 MPH; 0.235 BAA), and sometimes sliders (5.5%; 88.0 MPH; 0.000 BAA).
“Everything is intact,” Martinez continued.
“He understands that he has to maintain his strength throughout the season. He does all the work in the training room and his legs are strong.
“I’m really happy he bounced back like that.”
A few days after those comments, Ferrer made his first save in the majors, increasing his and Martinez’s confidence in him.
“I’ve always told him that if he can control the strike zone and throw strikes, he can throw in high-leverage situations,” Martinez said after the save.
“He’s got an unbelievable fastball, he’s got a lot of movement, he’s really, really good with his changeup, so as long as he’s around the zone, with those two elite pitches, he’s really good.
“And tonight, he was just throwing strikes. His fastball was dropping and sinking and his changeup was really good and effective.”
A few days later, when asked about the left-handed pitcher’s limitations, Martinez said Ferrer could continue pitching in a late-inning role and in high-leverage situations.
“I think he’s definitely going to be a bit part bullpen guy if he continues like this.
“Looking at him now, there aren’t that many left-handed pitchers who can throw like he can. The only thing I remember is, [Josh] Hader. ”
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Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images
“He did well,” the captain added.
“His biggest thing is his ability to throw strikes right now and throw fastballs for strikes. He’s confident. He’s very confident right now. I think that’s where he is. I love it.”
“When I first got here, there were some bad things that happened,” Ferrer said. Quoted by MASN writer Mark Zuckerman In September.
“And I was able to continue to work hard and focus on the strike zone.
“I think it really helped me and gave me confidence.”
During the final weekend of the season, the Nationals manager answered a question about the possibility of Ferrer closing down the club in the future, and did not rule out the possibility of Ferrer eventually leaving.
“I definitely see him having the potential to pitch in high-leverage situations at the back of the bullpen,” Martinez said.
“He’s done really well. I’ve been giving him more opportunities to do that, and he’s done really well. Can we see him grow into something else? Probably. He’s tough.
“He’s tough on lefties and righties. He did really well.
“He’s come a long way. Because of the injury he had earlier, we didn’t really know when he’d be able to pitch again, but he’s worked hard to recover and he’s feeling really good right now.”
Next, when asked why Ferrer’s sinker was so effective, Martinez said he would keep the sinker story private.
“I don’t know if he knows he throws a sinker, but he just throws the ball, and it’s very hard and the ball has very good horizontal break, ” But it’s very effective, yes. The reason I say that is because I don’t want him to start thinking about something and all of a sudden he says, “Oh yeah, I’m going to throw a sinker.” Next thing you know he’s throwing a bowling ball and he’s doing great, yeah. ”
