Biographical

Portrait of Anthony Varvaro

Anthony Varvaro PRed Sox

Red Sox Player Cards | Red Sox Team Audit | Red Sox Depth Chart

2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 34)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
34.0 4.39 1.45 34 2 1 1 0.2
Birth Date10-31-1984
Height6' 0"
Weight190 lbs
Age39 years, 4 months, 26 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
0.22015
2016
2017
2018
0.22019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2010 SEA MLB 4 0 4.0 0 1 0 6 6 5 2 98 13.5 13.5 4.5 11.3 0% .364 3.00 11.54 11.25 109 4.64 104.8 0.0
2011 ATL MLB 18 0 24.0 0 2 0 15 11 23 3 95 5.6 4.1 1.1 8.6 0% .203 1.08 4.07 2.63 91 3.73 86.8 0.3
2012 ATL MLB 12 0 16.7 1 1 0 16 9 21 2 100 8.6 4.9 1.1 11.3 0% .333 1.50 4.15 5.40 90 3.33 76.2 0.3
2013 ATL MLB 62 0 73.3 3 1 1 68 25 43 3 98 8.3 3.1 0.4 5.3 0% .278 1.27 3.44 2.82 101 4.12 98.7 0.4
2014 ATL MLB 61 0 54.7 3 3 0 46 13 50 5 96 7.6 2.1 0.8 8.2 0% .273 1.08 3.17 2.63 90 2.89 70.9 1.1
2015 BOS MLB 9 0 11.0 0 1 0 14 6 8 0 118 11.5 4.9 0.0 6.5 0% .378 1.82 3.28 4.09 96 3.32 77.5 0.2
CareerMLB1660183.77911657015015988.13.40.77.447%.2741.283.673.23953.6085.72.3

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2006 MRN Rk AZL 5 3 11.0 0 2 0 7 5 15 0 108 5.7 4.1 0.0 12.3 0% .304 1.09 3.44 1.64 90 3.00 62.9
2007 WIS A MDW 22 21 103.7 4 11 1 94 51 112 7 95 8.2 4.4 0.6 9.7 0% .305 1.40 3.74 4.69 98 4.81 98.8
2008 HDS A+ CLF 30 24 122.7 3 9 0 154 82 113 22 110 11.3 6.0 1.6 8.3 0% .362 1.92 6.58 7.11 125 7.56 154.7
2009 HDS A+ CLF 8 0 7.7 0 0 4 9 6 10 0 122 10.5 7.0 0.0 11.7 0% .391 1.95 3.50 7.01 93 4.85 102.0
2009 WTN AA SOU 36 0 54.3 4 3 8 30 44 63 1 95 5.0 7.3 0.2 10.4 0% .230 1.36 3.77 2.82 99 3.19 67.1
2009 PEJ Wnt AFL 10 0 13.3 1 0 2 12 3 11 1 8.1 2.0 0.7 7.4 0% .275 1.13 4.24 4.06 0 0.00 0.0
2010 SEA MLB AL 4 0 4.0 0 1 0 6 6 5 2 98 13.5 13.5 4.5 11.3 0% .364 3.00 11.54 11.25 109 4.64 104.8
2010 WTN AA SOU 31 0 39.3 1 3 9 27 21 46 2 6.2 4.8 0.5 10.5 0% .260 1.22 3.30 3.21 0 0.00 0.0
2010 TAC AAA PCL 19 0 25.7 0 0 0 24 14 26 1 8.4 4.9 0.4 9.1 0% .311 1.48 4.16 5.25 0 0.00 0.0
2011 ATL MLB NL 18 0 24.0 0 2 0 15 11 23 3 95 5.6 4.1 1.1 8.6 0% .203 1.08 4.07 2.63 91 3.73 86.8
2011 GWN AAA INT 38 0 59.0 2 8 1 37 35 69 3 5.6 5.3 0.5 10.5 0% .250 1.22 3.43 2.90 89 3.19 65.1
2012 ATL MLB NL 12 0 16.7 1 1 0 16 9 21 2 100 8.6 4.9 1.1 11.3 0% .333 1.50 4.15 5.40 90 3.33 76.2
2012 GWN AAA INT 33 1 44.3 0 2 6 39 24 47 1 92 7.9 4.9 0.2 9.5 0% .312 1.42 3.02 2.23 86 3.89 81.1
2013 ATL MLB NL 62 0 73.3 3 1 1 68 25 43 3 98 8.3 3.1 0.4 5.3 0% .278 1.27 3.44 2.82 101 4.12 98.7
2014 ATL MLB NL 61 0 54.7 3 3 0 46 13 50 5 96 7.6 2.1 0.8 8.2 0% .273 1.08 3.17 2.63 90 2.89 70.9
2015 BOS MLB AL 9 0 11.0 0 1 0 14 6 8 0 118 11.5 4.9 0.0 6.5 0% .378 1.82 3.28 4.09 96 3.32 77.5
2016 PAW AAA INT 18 0 28.7 3 2 1 21 13 31 2 6.6 4.1 0.6 9.7 53% .260 1.19 3.27 2.83 94 3.67 81.1

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2010 93 0.5161 0.3656 0.8235 0.5000 0.2222 0.8750 0.7000 0.1765
2011 377 0.4801 0.4403 0.7349 0.5967 0.2959 0.7870 0.6379 0.2651
2012 317 0.4858 0.4479 0.7324 0.6753 0.2331 0.7885 0.5789 0.2676
2013 1091 0.5170 0.4711 0.8191 0.6507 0.2789 0.8828 0.6599 0.1809
2014 893 0.5118 0.5028 0.7862 0.6761 0.3211 0.8608 0.6214 0.2138
2015 197 0.4569 0.3959 0.7949 0.5556 0.2617 0.8800 0.6429 0.2051
Career29680.50340.46600.78780.64310.28590.85350.63700.2122

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2012-03-26 2012-04-26 15-DL 31 19 Right Chest Recovery From Strain Pectoral Muscle - -
2012-03-24 2012-03-26 Camp 2 0 Right Chest Strain Pectoral Muscle - -
2007-06-20 2007-07-08 Minors 18 0 Right Elbow Strain -
2005-06-27 2005-09-01 Minors 66 0 Right Elbow Surgery Tommy John Surgery 2005-06-27 -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2016 BOS $
2015 BOS $576,500
2014 ATL $515,000
2013 ATL $490,000
2012 ATL $481,250
YearsDescriptionSalary
4 yrPrevious$2,062,750
4 yrTotal$2,062,750

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
3 y 121 d1 year (2016)

Details
  • 1 year (2016). Re-signed by Boston as a free agent 12/15/15 (minor-league contract).
  • 1 year/$0.5765M (2015). Re-signed by Boston 3/8/15. Claimed by Chicago Cubs off waivers 5/3/15 after being DFA by Boston 4/29/15. DFA by Chicago Cubs 5/6/15. Sent outright to Triple-A 5/8/15. Returned by Chicago Cubs to Boston 5/24/15. Refused assignment, elected free agency 11/20/15.
  • 1 year/$0.515M (2014). Re-signed by Atlanta 2/25/14. Acquired by Boston in trade 12/17/14 after being DFA by Atlanta 12/15/14.
  • 1 year/$0.49M (2013). Re-signed by Atlanta 2/27/13.
  • 1 year/$481,250 (2012). Re-signed by Atlanta 3/2/12.
  • 2011. Claimed by Atlanta off waivers 1/13/11 after being DFA by Seattle 1/3/11.
  • 1 year (2010). Contract purchased by Seattle 11/20/09. Re-signed by Seattle 2/26/10.
  • Drafted 2005 (12-353) (St. John's).

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
90o 5.4 0 1.8 36 0 53.1 39 21 52 5 .247 1.12 2.99 3.27 -1.4 -0.2
80o 4.6 0 1.5 31 0 46.2 37 20 45 4 .264 1.23 3.40 3.71 -3.1 -0.3
70o 4.1 0 1.3 28 0 41.4 35 19 41 4 .276 1.31 3.70 4.04 -4.1 -0.4
60o 3.6 0 1.1 26 0 37.5 34 18 37 4 .287 1.38 3.96 4.32 -4.7 -0.5
50o 3.2 0 1 23 0 33.9 32 17 33 4 .297 1.45 4.22 4.59 -5.1 -0.6
40o 2.9 0 0.9 21 0 30.4 30 16 30 4 .307 1.52 4.47 4.87 -5.4 -0.6
30o 2.5 0 0.7 18 0 26.7 28 15 26 3 .317 1.60 4.75 5.17 -5.5 -0.6
20o 2 0 0.6 15 0 22.6 25 13 22 3 .330 1.70 5.08 5.54 -5.4 -0.6
10o 1.5 0 0.4 12 0 17.2 20 11 17 2 .348 1.84 5.56 6.06 -5.0 -0.5
Weighted Mean3.20122033.03117324.2941.434.174.55-4.9-0.5

Preseason Long-Term Forecast (Beyond the 2019 Projections)

Playing time estimates are based on performance, not Depth Charts.
Year Age W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR GB% BABIP WHIP ERA DRA H/9 BB/9 K/9 HR/9 WARP
20203511130044442342649.3041.534.654.919.14.78.71.20.1
20213611130043412242549.2961.454.504.758.54.68.71.00.1
20223710124035331833449.2971.474.594.848.64.78.61.00.1
20233810124035341834449.2991.474.604.858.74.68.71.00.1
20243910125036351935549.2981.494.624.878.74.78.71.20.1
20254010126038372036549.2971.514.674.938.84.88.61.20.1
20264110125036351934549.2961.504.704.968.84.88.51.20.0
20274210122033321731449.2971.484.765.028.74.68.51.10.0
20284310120030291628449.2981.524.805.068.84.98.51.20.0

Comparable Players (Similarity Index 77)

Rank Score Name Year Run Average Trend
1 89 Jean Machi 2016 0.00 DNP
2 87 Geoff Geary 2011 0.00 DNP
3 86 Shawn Camp 2010 3.36
4 86 Randy Flores 2010 3.48
5 85 Todd Coffey 2015 0.00 DNP
6 85 Sean Burnett 2017 0.00 DNP
7 84 Dale Thayer 2015 4.06
8 84 Justin Miller 2012 0.00 DNP
9 83 Carlos Torres 2017 4.58
10 82 Jumbo Diaz 2018 0.00 DNP
11 82 Pat Neshek 2015 4.12
12 82 Craig Stammen 2018 2.85
13 81 Nick Masset 2016 0.00 DNP
14 81 Terry Adams 2007 0.00 DNP
15 80 D.J. Carrasco 2011 6.39
16 80 Blaine Boyer 2016 4.09
17 79 Esteban Yan 2009 0.00 DNP
18 79 Brian Duensing 2017 2.74
19 79 Cesar Ramos 2018 0.00 DNP
20 79 Joey Eischen 2004 5.40
21 79 Tom Wilhelmsen 2018 0.00 DNP
22 79 Phil Coke 2017 0.00 DNP
23 78 Kiko Calero 2009 1.95
24 78 Joel Peralta 2010 2.20
25 78 Tom Gorzelanny 2017 0.00 DNP
26 78 Tony Barnette 2018 3.76
27 78 Jay Witasick 2007 5.46
28 78 Jim Brower 2007 18.90
29 78 Bobby Tiefenauer 1964 4.24
30 78 John Bale 2008 4.39
31 78 Eddie Oropesa 2006 0.00 DNP
32 78 Micah Bowie 2009 0.00 DNP
33 77 Lindy McDaniel 1970 2.33
34 77 Tyler Walker 2010 4.08
35 77 Joe Thatcher 2016 0.00 DNP
36 77 Mark Lowe 2017 0.00 DNP
37 77 Peter Moylan 2013 6.46
38 77 Dave Veres 2001 3.97
39 77 Gary Lavelle 1983 3.41
40 77 Steve Howe 1992 2.86
41 77 Jonathan Broxton 2018 0.00 DNP
42 77 Scott Proctor 2011 7.59
43 76 Valerio De Los Santos 2007 0.00 DNP
44 76 Edward Mujica 2018 0.00 DNP
45 76 Tug McGraw 1979 5.92
46 76 Paul Quantrill 2003 2.21
47 76 Todd Jones 2002 4.70
48 76 Trever Miller 2007 5.44
49 76 Doug Brocail 2001 0.00 DNP
50 76 Chad Qualls 2013 2.61
51 76 Mike Lincoln 2009 8.22
52 76 Will Ohman 2012 6.41
53 76 Hoyt Wilhelm 1957 4.45
54 76 Aaron Heilman 2013 0.00 DNP
55 76 C.J. Nitkowski 2007 0.00 DNP
56 75 Aaron Fultz 2008 0.00 DNP
57 75 Matt Guerrier 2013 4.64
58 75 Gene Garber 1982 2.94
59 75 Dave Giusti 1974 3.58
60 75 Joe Borowski 2005 4.47
61 75 Jamie Walker 2006 2.81
62 75 Jay Howell 1990 2.32
63 75 Craig Breslow 2015 4.57
64 75 Pedro Feliciano 2011 0.00 DNP
65 74 Mike Stanton 2001 2.80
66 74 Neil Wagner 2018 0.00 DNP
67 74 Zach Duke 2017 3.93
68 74 Luis Vizcaino 2009 4.11
69 74 Oliver Perez 2016 4.95
70 74 Andrew Bailey 2018 0.00 DNP
71 74 Bob Locker 1972 2.88
72 74 Mike Maddux 1996 5.18
73 74 Fernando Rodriguez 2018 0.00 DNP
74 74 Ryota Igarashi 2013 0.00 DNP
75 74 Dustin Hermanson 2007 0.00 DNP
76 73 Jim Gott 1994 5.45
77 73 Casey Fien 2018 0.00 DNP
78 73 Jon Rauch 2013 7.56
79 73 Luis Ayala 2012 3.36
80 73 Jason Motte 2016 5.70
81 73 Justin Speier 2008 5.56
82 73 Juan Rincon 2013 0.00 DNP
83 73 Alberto Castillo 2010 10.13
84 73 David Weathers 2004 4.81
85 73 Jeff Parrett 1996 3.53
86 73 Jared Burton 2015 0.00 DNP
87 73 Dennys Reyes 2011 10.80
88 73 Chad Durbin 2012 3.69
89 73 Bruce Sutter 1987 0.00 DNP
90 73 Brian Sanches 2013 0.00 DNP
91 73 Josias Manzanillo 2002 7.62
92 73 Brandon Lyon 2014 0.00 DNP
93 72 Mike Marshall 1977 5.40
94 72 Matt Albers 2017 1.77
95 72 Jeff Russell 1996 3.54
96 72 Jim Brosnan 1964 0.00 DNP
97 72 Jeff Montgomery 1996 4.41
98 72 Matt Herges 2004 6.20
99 72 John Franco 1995 2.96
100 72 Salomon Torres 2006 4.05

BP Annual Player Comments

YearComment
2016 The Red Sox forgot to call “no takezies backzies” when dealing Anthony Varvaro to the Cubs in May. Chicago promptly returned the reliever to Boston upon realizing he required right flexor tendon surgery, which knocked him out for the remainder of the year.
2015 Another waiver claim turned quality reliever, Varvaro continued his odd trend of being better without the platoon advantage. In fact, he was more effective against left-handed hitters than many left-handed relievers were, including Tony Watson, Will Smith, and Javier Lopez; those guys were pretty darn effective. A new development saw Varvaro incorporate his changeup more against those lefties, particularly in hitter's counts, giving him a third look to offer in addition to his fastball and curve. That variety was part of the reason why he was Fredi Gonzalez's best non-Kimbrel option when it came to retiring lefties. In a Boston bullpen that could have just Drake Britton from the left side, he could fill the same role.
2014 For years, it's been assumed Varvaro would crack a big-league bullpen one day. One day, as it turned out, was 2013. The New York native stayed healthy and made the most of his opportunity, flinging mid-90s fastballs, groundball-inducing curves and the occasional changeup at hitters en route to an unheralded successful season. Varvaro's stuff didn't result in a ton of strikeouts, but as long as he continues to keep his fly balls in the parkparticularly against lefties, who slugged .281 against himhe's a keeper.
2013 A strained pectoral muscle sabotaged Varvaros shot at making the Opening Day bullpen. He spent most of the season at Gwinnett, where he pitched well enough to merit a promotion. Varvaros cameo in the majors was more of the same old, same old. He misses bats and the zone consistently, but has not missed barrels enough to become a full-fledged big-league reliever. Varvaro is without options, so he should start the season in the majorswith Atlanta or some other team.
2012 The last time Atlanta rescued a reliever from Seattle, he led the major leagues in earned run average three seasons later. As unlikely as Varvaro is to assume Eric OFlahertys success, he does have perceived upside. With a fastball that can touch the mid-90s and two secondary offeringsa curveball and changeup, vestiges from his days as a starterVarvaro is armed to wage war with any batter, although his time in the majors has shown a favoritism toward righties. Varvaro should split time between Gwinnet and Atlanta.
2011 The Varvaro who made his major-league debut after a September call-up to Seattle sports a different elbow ligament, delivery, and role from the one whose elbow problems dropped him to the 12th round of the 2005 draft. The current models fastball hits the low-90s with good deception, complemented by a major league-caliber curve and changeup. Hes used that repertoire to excellent effect when it comes to striking out minor-league batters, and the five he rung up in his first four innings of major-league labor offer hope that he might continue to miss bats in the majors. However, he also walked six batters in those four frames, which hints at the dark side of his plus stuff, namely that he doesnt always know where its going. Varvaros mechanics improved to an extent following his 2005 elbow reconstruction, but he remains at risk for re-injury and wildness, and should be kept no further than a spot start away from the bullpen at all times.
2010 Anthony Varvaro made an impressive return from Tommy John surgery (his second spin with blowing out his elbow), but he'll need to improve his command beyond the usual case of post-surgical yips.

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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2023, Anthony Varvaro threw 2,998 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2010 and 2015, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2015, he relied primarily on his Fourseam Fastball (92mph) and Curve (80mph), also mixing in a Change (86mph).