Notes and quotes on Jake Irvin before and after the All-Star break…
In 20 starts prior to the All-Star break this season, Jake Irvin posted a (7-8) record, a 3.49 ERA, a 3.86 FIP, 29 walks (2.25 BB/9), 99 Ks (7.68 K/9), and a .231/.283/.395 line against in 116 innings pitched.
In the so-called “second-half” of 2024, Irvin, 27, went (3-6) in 13 outings with a 5.90 ERA, a 5.30 FIP, 23 walks (2.89 BB/9), 57 Ks (7.16 K/9), and a .264/.322/.480 line against in 71 2⁄3 IP.
Jake Irvin’s 2Ks in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/1ddco5nUtq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 16, 2024
Irvin gave up 14 home runs (1.09 HR/9) in 116 IP in the first half, and 15 in 71 2⁄3 (1.88 HR/9) in the second.
“I know it didn’t end up the way he wanted it to end up,” manager Davey Martinez told reporters after Irvin’s 33rd and final start of the season, “but he’s a guy we’re going to count on again in 2025. So, he’s going to go home, but work on some things and come [back] ready to go.”
Overall, the 2018 4th Round pick out of the University of Oklahoma, finished up with a 4.41 ERA, a 4.41 FIP, 52 walks (2.49 BB/9), 156 strikeouts (7.48 K/9), and a .244/.299/.428 line against in 187 2⁄3 IP.
“From a personal standpoint, the second half was not what I expect from myself,” Irvin said following his final outing, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman. “It was disappointing, for sure. But there’s a lot to learn from, and a lot to build off of. Looking at the big picture, I’m definitely excited for the things I’ve learned, what I can build on, how I can get better learning from a lot of stuff this year.”
His manager pinpointed what he thought was the issue in the second-half.
“The walks. It all starts with the walks with him,” Martinez explained. “We’ve got to limit the walks and limit the damage. But he’s come a long way, again. He pitched really well.”
“The first thing is not to be so fine,” he added when asked where the focus will be over the winter. “When he attacks the strike zone and gets the ball over the plate, he’s really good. His stuff is good.”
The positive, Martinez stressed, is that he made it through the season healthy, and Irvin showed himself what he’s capable of for the future.
“It was awesome. it was awesome,” the skipper said of Irvin posting up all year. “The good thing is now he knows he can do that. And do it effectively. I told him I said, ‘You know, you’re there. Now you’ve just got to get a little more consistent,’ and he’s going to be really good.”
Jake Irvin’s 2Ks in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/2ig7ooEjj8
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 11, 2024
Irvin said he knew he had plenty to build on in spite of the way things went for him in the final months.
“For me, it’s just fuel for the fire,” he said.
“I’m going to go into the offseason and hopefully continue to stay healthy. But the biggest focus is to get better, come back in the spring ready to compete for a championship. I’m fired up about it.”