Eric Orze Explained

Eric Paul Orze (born August 21, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Career

Orze attended Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois, and the University of New Orleans, where he played college baseball for the New Orleans Privateers. While at New Orleans, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and skin cancer.^{[1] [2]}

New York Mets

The New York Mets selected Orze in the fifth round, with the 150th overall pick, of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.^[3] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[4] Orze made his professional debut in 2021 with the High–A Brooklyn Cyclones and was promoted to the Double–A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Triple–A Syracuse Mets during the season.^[5] Over 34 relief appearances between the three teams, Orze went 4–2 with a 3.08 ERA and 67 strikeouts over innings.^[6]

Orze spent the majority of 2022 with Syracuse, also making two scoreless appearances for the Single–A St. Lucie Mets. In 32 appearances out of the bullpen for Syracuse, he recorded a 5.13 ERA with 64 strikeouts across innings pitched.^[7] Orze returned to Syracuse in 2023, making 39 appearances and posting a 3–4 record and 5.31 ERA with 81 strikeouts over 61 innings.^[8]

Orze began the 2024 campaign with Syracuse, compiling a 3.76 ERA with 56 strikeouts and two saves across innings pitched. On July 6, 2024, Orze was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.^[9] He made two appearances during his rookie campaign, striking out one batters across innings pitched.

Tampa Bay Rays

On November 19, 2024, the Mets traded Orze to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jose Siri.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 'Night and day' difference for Orze post-cancer. MLB.com.
2. Web site: Inside Eric Orze's Resilient Journey to the Mets. September 25, 2020 .
3. Web site: Mets draft RHP Orze, a 2-time cancer survivor. June 12, 2020.
4. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. August 6, 2024. mlb.com. en.
5. Web site: Rumble Ponies' Adam Oller, Eric Orze called up to Triple-A Syracuse. August 11, 2021.
6. Web site: NY Mets prospect Eric Orze has the stuff to become a future closer. November 4, 2021 .
7. Web site: Eric Orze - Baseball Stats. August 6, 2024. thebaseballcube.com. en.
8. Web site: Eric Orze - Stats - Pitching. August 6, 2024. fangraphs.com. en.
9. Web site: Two-time cancer survivor Eric Orze called up to make big league debut with Mets . .
10. News: Olney . Buster . Mets acquire OF Jose Siri from Rays for reliever Eric Orze . November 19, 2024 . ESPN.com . November 19, 2024.