While much of the focus around the game remains on the ongoing draft, let’s take a peek in at the latest from the American League:
- The Royals will soon have to make a call between catchers Drew Butera and Erik Kratz, Jeffrey Flanagan writes for MLB.com. Neither of the reserve backstops can be optioned, and Kratz is nearing the end of a rehab assignment. “If I were to handicap both of them, I would say Butera is the better defensive player and Kratz is the better offensive player,” said skipper Ned Yost, who explained that he had yet to speak with GM Dayton Moore about the decision.
- The Rangers rotation has held together well enough, and has received a nice boost from Chi Chi Gonzalez, but nevertheless remains an area to watch as the team continues to play solid baseball. Texas may well look to add in the rotation, particularly since the club now seems unlikely to welcome back lefty Derek Holland until right around the trade deadline. Holland has not progressed as well as hoped from his sub-scapular strain, GM Jon Daniels told reporters including Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link). It now looks like he’ll be out until at least late July or even into August, per Daniels.
- In more positive news, fellow Rangers southpaw Matt Harrison has managed to return to the hill and is throwing in the low-90s, as Kevin Sherrington writes for the Dallas Morning News. The results haven’t been there for Harrison in his work thus far at Triple-A — he’s allowed eight earned in ten innings — but that is secondary to his overall health at this point given the serious back issues he has dealt with. Harrison still has work to do, clearly, but he could bolster the Texas rotation by early July. He’s owed $13MM annually this year and the next two, while the team holds a $13.25MM option ($2MM buyout) for 2018.
- As expected, the Indians have officially called up third baseman Giovanny Urshela, a 23-year-old who’ll see his first big league action. Urshela, who entered the year as the system’s 11th-best prospect in the eyes of Baseball America, has slashed .275/.301/.475 in his 83 Triple-A plate appearances this year. He’s said to be more advanced defensively than at the plate, but has significant raw power and solid contact ability (though he does not take many free passes).
I like Kratz and I think his defense holds up well against Butera’s.
Urshela’s offensive numbers aren’t very impressive but I guess he is coming up to be a late inning defense sub?
The Indians are fairly desperate on the left side of the infield. Urshula apparently has a fairly extreme reverse split, so he apparently will face right handers, while Walters will face left handers. Urshela is supposed to be a very advanced fielder, and the Indians need all the help they can get, in that area. (although, inexplicably, Chisenhall’s fielding wasn’t too bad, this year.) I don’t think the Indians see this as a “final solution”, but I do think they see it as a “solution for now.”
I think we will be looking for a 3b at the deadline, if we are in contention.
Butera and Kratz are probably like 2nd and 3rd in All star votes for AL catcher behind Perez with the way KC fans are voting.
That statement from Yost doesn’t say much for Butera when Kratz is the offensive powerhouse between the two.
May as well just drop both catchers. Salvy hardly has a day off anyway. Yes I’m kidding for you people who can’t sense sarcasm.