Ten-year pro Shawn Armstrong is a solid journeyman short reliever with a proven record of consistency. The right-hander joined the Chicago Cubs in early September for what proved to be a failed late-season push. Now, the 34-year-old free agent is looking for his next assignment with what will be his eighth club in eleven seasons.
Solid Journeyman Reliever Looking For His Next Assignment
Shawn Armstrong Player Profile
Armstrong was selected number 548 overall by the then Cleveland Indians in the 2011 draft. The six-foot-two, two-hundred twenty-five-pound pitcher played his college ball at East Carolina University, where he majored in exercise physiology. He and his wife, Sarah, own a private coaching facility called Arm-Strong Performance outside of Raleigh, North Carolina.
After being selected to the International League All-Star team in July 2015, Armstrong was called up to the big leagues. Utilizing a five-pitch arsenal with average velocity, Armstrong has seen mostly limited action from seven different teams. Arguably his best season was 2019 with the Baltimore Orioles. That season, he recorded a 1-0 record in 51 games with a 1.55 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings.
Pitching Statistics And Pitch Selection
Over his career, consistency has been Armstrong’s greatest strength. He has remained relatively healthy, and his career, with a 4.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, is right around the league averages for relief pitchers. He averages just over an inning per outing but has managed an 11-8 record with 29 holds and 360 strikeouts in 347 1/3 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is exactly three to one.
His primary pitches are a 4-seamer, cutter, and sinker. The fastball averages 93 mph and touches 95, and he will also throw a sweeper and slider on occasion. He gets average marks on his breaking run value, according to Baseball Savant, which rates his overall value as below average. Armstrong recorded less than average career stats last year, but his overall 2.4 WAR as measured by Baseball Reference is respectable.
Salary And Market Value Comparisons
The combination of his consistent good health and performance in a short relief role may account for his market value. Spotrac.com calculates Armstrong’s value for 2025 at $2.1M, just above his annual salary of $2.05M from a year ago.
Compare that with another free agent like Dylan Floro (1.8 WAR), whose market value stands at $9.1M. Floro, 34, was DFA’d by the Arizona Diamondbacks after a poor showing (9.37 ERA, 1.65 WHIP over 16 1/3 innings).
Danny Coulombe, 35, missed a large portion of the 2024 season after surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow. Coulombe pitched six scoreless innings after his return in the regular season and the postseason for the Baltimore Orioles. Despite that, the Orioles declined his $4M option, making him a free agent.
A Good Option For Teams Needing Bullpen Support
His relatively young age and low salary impact make Shawn Armstrong a good fit for teams looking for help to boost their bullpens. Wild Card teams like the Kansas City Royals (4.13 bullpen ERA), and the Baltimore Orioles (4.22), for instance.
The Boston Red Sox (4.39), or the Arizona Diamondbacks (4.41), two teams on the outside looking in at season’s end, will also be on the lookout for a solid journeyman short reliever.
Main Photo Credits: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
