Danny Farquhar
| IP | 272 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.938 |
| WHIP | 1.261 |
| BB/9 | 3.507 |
| SO/9 | 10.224 |
- Full name Daniel Andres Farquhar
- Born 02/17/1987 in Pembroke Pines, FL
- Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Louisiana - Lafayette
- Debut 09/13/2011
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Drafted in the 10th round (309th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008 (signed for $112,500).
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Righthander Danny Farquhar averaged 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings for Louisiana-Lafayette as a sophomore and maintained that whiff rate in the Cape Cod League over the summer. He wasn't nearly as dominant this spring (9.8 K/9), and his velocity was down as well. Farquhar pitched in the low 90s in 2007, but this spring he'd only flash that velocity for an inning or two. He likes to varies his arm slots from high three-quarters to sidearm, and his slider was flatter than it had been when he threw from the lower angle. He's just 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, and there's effort in his delivery, so pro teams project him as a reliever.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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After the A's acquired David DeJesus from the Royals in November, they decided Rajai Davis was expendable and sent him to the Blue Jays for Trystan Magnuson and Farquhar, teammates in the Double-A New Hampshire bullpen last season. Farquhar had a difficult junior year as a starter for Louisiana-Lafayette in 2008, so Toronto immediately moved him to the bullpen when he entered pro ball. He has taken to the role, limiting pro hitters to a .186 average while striking out 184 in 172 innings. Farquhar's defining characteristic is his use of two different arm angles. He gets more velocity on his fastball when he uses a high three-quarters arm slot, working at 92-94 mph and touching 96. He gets more sink on his 88-92 mph two-seamer, which he throws with more of a sidearm motion. The slider he throws from the lower arm slot can be a bit sweepy but is his best secondary offering. He also will use an early-count curveball from the higher angle. Farquhar's movement, velocity and ability to give hitters different looks make him difficult to square up, especially for righthanders, who hit .156 against him in 2010. He has trouble throwing consistent strikes, though, a problem he'll have to iron out to earn a role in the majors. He'll open his first season in the A's organization in Triple-A. -
Toronto took a $112,500 gamble on Farquhar in 2008, drafting him in the 10th round after he struggled as Louisiana-Lafayette's ace that spring. Originally a swingman in college, Farquhar returned to the bullpen and had an outstanding pro debut, posting a 1.95 ERA while reaching low Class A. He was even better in his first full pro season, saving 22 games between two stops and having no trouble handling Double-A hitters. Farquhar has good stuff, but his delivery is what sets him apart. He uses a couple of different arm angles to keep hitters off balance. From his higher slot he sits at 93-94 mph and can bump 95-96 with his four-seam fastball. He also can drop down and offer an 88-91 mph two-seamer with sink. His secondary stuff consists of a curveball from the higher slot, as well as a slurvy breaker from down low. He has good life on his pitches thanks to his long arms and is incredibly tough on righthanders. The downside of the different arm slots is that Farquhar battles his command. Farquhar may never locate his pitches well enough to be a big league closer, but he's an asset out of the bullpen and could press for a job in Toronto this year. -
Farquhar struggled as Louisiana-Lafayette's staff ace and lost velocity in 2008, his junior year, after spending his first two seasons in a swingman role. He dropped to the 10th round in the draft, not only because of his backsliding, but also because he's 5-foot-11, has effort in his delivery and is unconventional. The Blue Jays were rewarded for their $112,500 investment, though, as Farquhar thrived in the Auburn bullpen. His pitching style features two distinct arm slots, from which he can throw strikes with both a quality fastball and breaking ball. He sits at 92 mph and touches 94 from a high three-quarters slot and mixes in an average mid-70s curveball and an occasional cutter. From a below-sidearm angle, Farquhar pitches at 89-90 with incredible life, a product of his long and loose arms. From the lower angle, he also throws a sweeping 78-82 mph Frisbee slider that makes righthanders uncomfortable, and a changeup that serves as a show-me pitch. Farquhar is poised to move quickly now that he's a full-time reliever. He could begin 2009 in high Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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After dominating in a swing role for two years at Louisiana-Lafayette, Farquhar struggled as the staff ace and lost velocity in 2008. The Blue Jays took a shot on him with a 10th-round pick and signed him for $112,500, then watched him thrive back in the bullpen. Farquhar stands out with his ability to throw hard from various arm angles. He can sit at 93 mph from a high three-quarters slot, then drop down below sidearm and throw an 89-90 mph fastball with incredible life. "He's a filthy, filthy, filthy young man," an NL scout said. "He was scary good. I don't know what he's going to be, but any manager in the country would love to have that guy. I've never seen anyone throw that hard from that low. You can't throw hard from down there--it's impossible. But he's not just a raw arm speed guy. He's got pitchability." Farquhar maintains fine command and throws a quality breaking ball from both slots. He throws an average power curveball from the higher angle, and drops down to serve up a sweeping 78-82 mph slider that eats up righthanders. He also uses an 84-mph changeup as a show pitch.
