; ;

Mets Top Prospects for 2022: No. 20 Eric Orze

By Doug M

February 14, 2022 No comments

20. Eric Orze, RHP

B/T: R/R
Age: 24 (8/21/97)
Ht: 6’4  Wt: 195 LBS
Acquired: Mets 5th round draft pick, 2020 (New Orleans)
ETA: 2022  Previous Rank: N/A
2021 Stats (Brooklyn/Binghamton/Syracuse): 4-2, 3.08 ERA, 34 G, 5 SV, 49.2 IP, 1.047 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 12.1 K/9

When the Mets drafted Eric Orze in the the final round of the abridged 2020 draft out of the University of New Orleans, it was seen as a feel-good story and a bonus pool money-saving pick. Still a wonderful story as Orze is a two-time cancer survivor, the tall right-hander has been an absolute revelation in professional ball with his dastardly two-pitch mix.

Even though Orze signed for a below slot $20,000 bonus from a small college program, the Mets appear to have found an impact bullpen arm. While Orze garnered some praise coming out of the draft for the plus movement he could get with his splitter, everything else he needs to succeed in a major league bullpen seems in place already as well.

Orze dominated the upper minors in 2021, his first full professional season, on the backs of not just his wicked split, but also a fastball that garners plenty of whiffs in it’s own right.

Orze creates a vertical slot with his short arm action, also flattening out his approach angle some with a drop and drive down the mound. His four seam fastball is generally parked in the mid 90’s, cresting as high as 96 mph.

Reported by Prospects Live to have significant induced vertical break (IVB), Orze has the fastball that can thrive at the letters against major league hitters. See the clip below for examples of the significant two-plane movement he gets on his split changeup, showing both late depth and arm-side fade.

Orze not only carries these big-league-ready swing and miss weapons, but he pounds the zone well with his simple, repeatable mechanics and is able to limit free passes more than adequately, illustrated by his 2.54 BB/9.

Fast to the majors relievers with big league swing and miss stuff that also throw strikes are a tremendous asset, especially for a club built to win now like the Mets. Where to slot Orze in our rankings with a pure reliever’s floor and ceiling was lustily debated, but make no doubt about it, Orze is one of the more talented and imminently impactful arms in the Mets system. I have a not-so-sneaky feeling that most Mets fans will come to know his name in short order.

Mets Top Prospects 29-30
Mets Top Prospects 27-28
Mets Top Prospects 25-26
Mets Top Prospects 23-24
Mets Top Prospects 21-22

Share the post "Mets Top Prospects for 2022: No. 20 Eric Orze"

  • Facebook
  • X

Written by Doug M

My fate to bleed the blue and orange for life was laid out before me in 1997. My first Mets prospect I remember getting pumped up about was David Wright, as he just tore through the FSL and Eastern League with ease. Since then, my interest in minor league development has only grown. I hope to grow that interest further here at Mets Minors.

Back to Top ↑