Matt Purke

33-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Matt Purke in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a minor league contract with the White Sox in January of 2016.
Reassigned to minors camp
PNew York Mets  
March 20, 2018
The Mets reassigned Purke to their minor-league camp Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Purke had been auditioning for a relief role with the Mets in spring training but was likely removed from consideration after starting candidates Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman shifted to the bullpen. It's likely that Purke will report to Triple-A Las Vegas after spending the entire 2017 campaign in the International League as a member of the White Sox organization.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2015
2014
2013
2012
Injuries have largely hampered Purke's career thus far, although he finally got to show his stuff at the upper farm levels without inhibition. The left-hander started off the season with Triple-A Charlotte and had a fair amount of success, sporting a 3.52 ERA and an 8.9 K/9 through 38.1 innings pitched. This punched him a ticket to the big leagues, although his success didn't translate. Purke started out well enough, putting up zeroes in five out of his first six relief appearances, but then he proceeded to cough up seven earned runs over his next six outings, leading to a trip back to Charlotte. The 26-year-old struggled with control at both levels last season and has proved to be fairly inconsistent in terms of strikeout rate and strand rate, but he still has shown some glimpses of why he was drafted in the third round by the Nationals back in 2011. Purke was outrighted off the 40-man roster this offseason, so he will likely open the year back at Triple-A.
Drafted by the Nationals in 2011 despite known arm issues, Purke has so far been a medical risk that hasn't panned out for the club. Between his 2012 shoulder surgery and 2014 Tommy John procedure, the left-hander managed to throw just 136.2 mostly-ugly and ineffective innings, and the Nats elected to outright him off the 40-man roster this offseason. They kept him in the fold on a minor league deal, and will give him one more shot to prove he was worth their initial investment, but given that he'll turn 25 around the All-Star break, it's pretty much now or never for Purke. If he can't show some glimmer of potential when he gets back on the mound, it could be the end of the road.
The Nationals treated Purke with kid gloves after 2012 shoulder surgery, and while the cautious approach seemed to pay off when he dominated Low-A in six appearances the lefty found High-A to be a lot more challenging after a promotion. He'll turn 24 this season, an age at which a lot of pitchers with his talent and pedigree would be knocking on the door to the majors in they weren't already there, so if Purke looks fully healthy this spring expect the Nats to challenge him with an aggressive promotion schedule. A big campaign could put him firmly in the club's 2015 plans.
Purke got first-round money after dropping to the third round in 2011 due to concerns over the health of his shoulder, and those concerns proved to be well-founded as he made just three starts last year before going under the knife. The surgery was not serious, as shoulder surgeries go, and he should move quickly through the system if he is at full strength given his plus fastball/slider combo and developing changeup. The Nationals' pitching depth is as good as anyone's though, so Purke likely will not be a factor in the majors until 2014 at the earliest.
Purke was taken in the third round of the 2011 draft by the Nationals after being a former first-round pick by the Rangers in 2009. Many considered him one of the top pitchers heading into the draft, but shoulder bursitis cut his velocity and limited his innings. His fastball sits in the low-90s, and can touch 96 mph. He also implements an above average slider and a fringe change-up. Expect him to spend most of the season in Double-A, and it would be a surprise if he gets any major league action in 2012.
More Fantasy News
Sent home with illness
PNew York Mets  
Illness
February 15, 2018
Purke has been sent home with the flu and will be back at spring camp once he's fully recovered, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
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Signs with Mets
PNew York Mets  
November 17, 2017
Purke signed a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training with the Mets on Friday.
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Sent to minor-league camp
PChicago White Sox  
March 28, 2017
Purke was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.
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Clears waivers Wednesday
PChicago White Sox  
December 21, 2016
Purke cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
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Designated for assignment
PChicago White Sox  
December 14, 2016
Purke was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Wednesday.
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