“We like Jerry’s physical tools,” said assistant general manager Jose Cabrera. Bourque is a lanky 6’6”, 185 pounder from Regina, Canada. He throws mostly junk—curveball, changup, and sinker at 93 miles an hour. Scouts suggest the curve and sinker project into solid pitches, the change, as is its wont, needs some work. “We think he might grow into a starter’s role,” Cabrera added. He later noted that the club was impressed with their interview of him, and that he graduated toward the top of his class, which suggests he’ll be highly coachable.
It’s a good story, anyway. From our view it would be better said that this is a wasted draft pick, and just move on. That narrative wasn’t included in the press conference, though. Instead, Cabrera finished by saying the club expects him to spend the season in their rookie ball organization, likely in an attempt to stretch him. He threw only 32 innings in his high school competition, so he’s got some cap room.