PawSox Player Profile: Mike Shawaryn

Ryan L. Fox

​​We continue our series of PawSox Player Profiles with an up and coming pitching prospect in the Boston Red Sox farm system, RHP Mike Shawaryn. A fast riser through the farm system levels, is it possible for the righty out of the University of Maryland to make the major league level this season? Let's check him out.

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Bio
Full Name: Michael Thomas Shawaryn
Date of Birth: September 17, 1994
Age Going into 2019 Season: 24
Position:  Starting Pitcher (SP)
Acquired: Drafted in 5th Round by the Boston Red Sox (148th overall) during 2016 MLB Draft
Bats/Throws: R/R

Background Prior to 2018
Mike was originally drafted out of Gloucester Catholic High School (NJ) in the 32nd round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Royals. Rather than sign with the Royals, Mike elected to attend college at the University of Maryland.

In 3 years with the Terps, Mike accumulated a career record of 30-10, a career ERA of 3.02, a career WHIP of 1.048, and accumulated 307 career strikeouts in 48 career starts. This included a sophomore year where he went 13-2 in 17 starts, had an ERA of 1.71, and a K/9 ratio of 10.71.
Then in 2016, Mike decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft. He was selected in the 5th round (148th overall) by the Boston Red Sox and signed with them on July 15. Mike was then assigned 2 days later to the Lowell Spinners of Short-Season A. He ended up finishing the year appearing in 6 games with the Spinners with 6 starts, accumulating a 0-1 record with an ERA of 2.87, a 1.40 WHIP, walking 7 batters, striking out 22 more, had a K/9 of 13.16, and allowed opposing batters to hit .254 in 15.2 innings of work.

Prior to the start of the 2017 season, Mike was promoted to the Greenville Drive of Low-A. He ended up making 10 starts in 10 appearances with the Drive, recording a 3-2 record with an ERA of 3.88 and a WHIP of 1.07. He also allowed 13 walks, hit 5 batters, and struck out 78 more, accumulated a K/9 of 10.07, and held opposing batters to a .222 batting average while pitching in 53.1 total innings.

Then on June 4, Mike was promoted to the Salem Red Sox of Advanced-A where he finished out the rest of his 2017 season. He appeared in 16 games with Salem, starting in all of them. Mike recorded a 5-5 record while accumulating an ERA of 3.76 and a WHIP of 1.30. He also allowed 35 walks, hit 4 batters, and struck out 91 more, accumulated a K/9 of 10.07, and held batters to a .232 batting average while pitching in 81.1 innings.

2018 Season Review
Prior to the start of the 2018 season, Mike was promoted to Double-A to the Portland Sea Dogs. He appeared in 19 games with the Sea Dogs, starting in all of them. Mike recorded a 6-8 record while accumulating an ERA of 3.28 and a WHIP of 1.13. He also allowed 27 walks, hit 5 batters, and struck out 99 more, accumulated a K/9 of 7.91, and held batters to a .238 batting average while pitching in 112.2 innings. Mike also recorded his first a complete game in his minor league career on April 25, pitching in 5 innings of a rain shortened game against the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, Connecticut.

Then on August 3, Mike was called up to the Pawtucket Red Sox in Triple-A as he made his start that very day in a home game against the visiting Rochester Red Wings. Mike pitched in 6.1 innings, giving up 7 hit and 4 runs (all earned) while striking out 6 batters and walking 1. He was awarded the No-Decision as the PawSox ended up winning 7-4.

Mike went on to finish the rest of the 2018 season with the PawSox. Overall, he appeared in 7 games, starting in 6 of them. Mike recorded a 3-2 record while accumulating an ERA of 3.93 and a WHIP of 1.12. He also allowed 11 walks, hit 1 batter, struck out 33 more, accumulated a K/9 of 8.20, and held batters to a .221 batting average while pitching in 36.2 innings.

Mike also recorded his first career complete game shut-out awarded his first a complete game in his minor league career on August 14 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Norfolk Tides at McCoy Stadium. Mike ended up pitching in all 7 innings while giving up 2 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 6 batters while recording the victory as the PawSox won 4-0.

After the end of the 2018 International League season, Mike went on to pitch in Arizona Fall League with the Mesa Solar Sox along with fellow Red Sox farm players 3B Bobby Dalbec, LHP Dawinzon Hernandez, 2B Esteban Quiroz, 1B Josh Ockimey, RHP Teddy Stankiewicz, and LHP Josh Taylor. Mike appeared in 9 games with the Solar Sox (mostly in relief) while starting in 1 game. He recorded a 1-0 record while accumulating an ERA of 2.13 and a WHIP of 1.18. He also allowed 4 walks, struck out 15 batters, recorded 1 save, and accumulated a K/9 of 10.66 in 12.2 innings.

2019 Season Preview
Going into the 2019 season, Mike was ranked the 13th prospect overall in the Red Sox Farm System by MLB.com. He is currently down in Ft. Myers with the Boston Red Sox during spring training as a Non-Roster Invitee.

The consensus role that many scouts are projecting him in is that of a long-relief role, coming in to pitch 2-3 innings should something happen to the starting pitcher with the #5 starter role as the ceiling.

Although he has good off speed pitches (slider in low to mid 80s mph, cutter at mid 80s mph) and has improved his control, his fastball tops out at around 94 mph and it tends to dip in velocity in the later innings of a game according to some scouting reports.

More likely than not, Mike will start the year down in Triple-A with the Pawtucket Red Sox. This will be the best case scenario as it'll give him more time to get adjusted in facing against major league/major league ready talent.

But in the wake of the Steven Wright PED suspension, this could open the door for man Mike to make the Opening Day roster. With Spring Training just a couple weeks away from ending, a critical decision will have to be made. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

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