Shea Spitzbarth – Flying Under the Radar

As Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully would often say when introducing a new player to Dodgers fans, “Let’s get the biographical information out of the way for Shea Spitzbarth:”

  • Age: 24 (Born in Staten Island, New York)
  • Height: 6’ 1”
  • Weight: 195 pounds
  • Bats and throws: right-handed
  • High school: Moore Catholic High School, Staten Island
  • College: Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY

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In the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, there were 1,215 players selected. But the junior pitcher from Molloy College never had his name called. It wasn’t that Spitzbarth wasn’t a good college pitcher. In fact, he had just completed a terrific season with a 1.77 ERA, including 89 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched, while holding opposing hitters to a .197 batting average; and as a sophomore, he had a 2.24 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. It’s that he flew under the radar of most baseball scouts.

But not all of them.

After the 2015 MLB draft, Spitzbarth was lights-out in the prestigious Cape Cod League. It was here that he did catch the eye of a scout – a Dodgers scout. As a result, the Dodgers offered the then 20-year-old right-hander a free agent contract. which he accepted.

Spitzbarth signed with the Dodgers on July 7, 2015 as a non-drafted free agent. Two weeks ago he was promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.
(Photo courtesy of LA Dodgers)

What has this ‘undrafted’ pitcher accomplished in his three-plus seasons as a professional in the Dodgers organization?

ERA

  • Rookie ball – 2.20
  • Low Single-A – 1.91
  • Advanced Single-A – 0.57
  • Double-A – 2.79

Strike Outs

  • 306 in 235 innings pitched

BAA

  • Career – .223

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So why wasn’t Spitzbarth drafted when MLB teams are desperate for pitching? Perhaps there is something missing in the talent evaluation equation that does not fit into the commonly accepted 80-scale. How does one measure a player’s “heart?” His commitment to being the best player that he can be? His work ethic? His perseverance? And all of the other intangibles that turn a player into a MLB success story?

As Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, once wrote:

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Although Spitzbarth has yet to appear in a major league game with the Dodgers, he has appeared in 12 spring training games with the big league club since being signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2015. (Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

Spitzbarth has found the transition to Triple-A a challenge, pitching to a 11.74 ERA in his first 15 innings. But he may be one of those special players who earns his way onto the Dodgers team through his dedication and perseverance – kind of like guys named Maury Wills, “Sweet” Lou Johnson, and Wes Parker.

…you know, guys who ‘Flew Under the Radar.’

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2 Responses to “Shea Spitzbarth – Flying Under the Radar”

  1. Manuel says:

    Or he could be potential “throw-in” trade bait when the time comes. Dodgers have better in-house options by comparison (Gonsolin, Kasowski, Sheffield, Scrubb, even that reclamation project Yordy Cabrera who’s steadily been rounding into form of late in his on-going conversion from position player to pitcher dating back the last few years). Doesn’t take away from his feel-good background story, though. Kid worked his tail off to get this far.

    • Jesse Pearce says:

      Trade asset is certainly a possibility, he is the type of player that will be an asset to any teams depth.

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