Matt Purke

34-Year-Old PitcherP

Free Agent

2024 Stats

W-L

0-0

ERA

0.00

WHIP

0.00

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W-L

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Matt Purke in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats L

Throws L

40 Man No

Height 6'4"

Weight 214

DOB 7/17/1990

Drafted 3rd Rd 2011

Reassigned to minors camp

PNew York Mets

March 20, 2018

The Mets reassigned Purke to their minor-league camp Tuesday.

ANALYSIS
Purke had been auditioning for a relief role with the Mets in spring training but was likely removed from consideration after starting candidates Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman shifted to the bullpen. It's likely that Purke will report to Triple-A Las Vegas after spending the entire 2017 campaign in the International League as a member of the White Sox organization.

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

2017

2015

2014

2013

2012

Injuries have largely hampered Purke's career thus far, although he finally got to show his stuff at the upper farm levels without inhibition. The left-hander started off the season with Triple-A Charlotte and had a fair amount of success, sporting a 3.52 ERA and an 8.9 K/9 through 38.1 innings pitched. This punched him a ticket to the big leagues, although his success didn't translate. Purke started out well enough, putting up zeroes in five out of his first six relief appearances, but then he proceeded to cough up seven earned runs over his next six outings, leading to a trip back to Charlotte. The 26-year-old struggled with control at both levels last season and has proved to be fairly inconsistent in terms of strikeout rate and strand rate, but he still has shown some glimpses of why he was drafted in the third round by the Nationals back in 2011. Purke was outrighted off the 40-man roster this offseason, so he will likely open the year back at Triple-A.

Drafted by the Nationals in 2011 despite known arm issues, Purke has so far been a medical risk that hasn't panned out for the club. Between his 2012 shoulder surgery and 2014 Tommy John procedure, the left-hander managed to throw just 136.2 mostly-ugly and ineffective innings, and the Nats elected to outright him off the 40-man roster this offseason. They kept him in the fold on a minor league deal, and will give him one more shot to prove he was worth their initial investment, but given that he'll turn 25 around the All-Star break, it's pretty much now or never for Purke. If he can't show some glimmer of potential when he gets back on the mound, it could be the end of the road.

The Nationals treated Purke with kid gloves after 2012 shoulder surgery, and while the cautious approach seemed to pay off when he dominated Low-A in six appearances the lefty found High-A to be a lot more challenging after a promotion. He'll turn 24 this season, an age at which a lot of pitchers with his talent and pedigree would be knocking on the door to the majors in they weren't already there, so if Purke looks fully healthy this spring expect the Nats to challenge him with an aggressive promotion schedule. A big campaign could put him firmly in the club's 2015 plans.

Purke got first-round money after dropping to the third round in 2011 due to concerns over the health of his shoulder, and those concerns proved to be well-founded as he made just three starts last year before going under the knife. The surgery was not serious, as shoulder surgeries go, and he should move quickly through the system if he is at full strength given his plus fastball/slider combo and developing changeup. The Nationals' pitching depth is as good as anyone's though, so Purke likely will not be a factor in the majors until 2014 at the earliest.

Purke was taken in the third round of the 2011 draft by the Nationals after being a former first-round pick by the Rangers in 2009. Many considered him one of the top pitchers heading into the draft, but shoulder bursitis cut his velocity and limited his innings. His fastball sits in the low-90s, and can touch 96 mph. He also implements an above average slider and a fringe change-up. Expect him to spend most of the season in Double-A, and it would be a surprise if he gets any major league action in 2012.

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