SARASOTA, Fla.— Logan Verrett is ecstatic to be a part of the Orioles organization.
Baltimore pulled the 24-year-old from the New York Mets during the 2014 Winter Meetings last December. The Rule 5 draft was used for the acquisition, enabling a Major League team to obtain a minor-league player from a different affiliation.
“The Rule 5 was the best thing that’s happen to me,” said Verrett. “I’m happier overall with having this opportunity that I do.
“As long as I’m going to be with a club that’s going to give me a real chance of pitching in the big leagues and letting me show them what I can do in contributing to the team, that’s where I’ll be the happiest. And that’s what the Orioles are doing for me.”
Prior to joining Baltimore, Verrett played for four different minor-league teams with New York. He appeared with the Las Vegas 51s in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League last season, ending with an 11-5 record, a 4.33 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 28 games started.
Verrett now enters big-league spring training for the second time after being a non-roster invite with the Mets. However, the new member of the Orioles’ 40-man roster has a lot to prove to both his old and new franchises.
“I was very upset when the Mets left me off the roster but it ended up being a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to be picked up by the Orioles,” said Verrett. “I know we play New York in May and I hope I get the opportunity to get out there, take the mound at Citi Field and just show [the Mets] what they are missing out on.”
The pitcher is continuing to work on the accuracy of his fastball and slider during spring training and upcoming season. But as a long-term personal goal, Verrett’s measure of a successful Major League career is to enjoy playing the game for as long as he can.
“My dream has always been to pitch in the big leagues,” said Verrett. “The question is always how much is enough and everyone is always wanting more of everything.
“As long as I’m still having fun playing the game, I’ll be happy … as long as I have good friends and my family by my side, and I’m doing what I love for a living.”
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