The Diamondbacks have designated righty Allen Webster for assignment, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports on Twitter. Righties Jake Barrett and Matt Koch will take up 40-man roster spots along with outfielder Gabby Guerrero, Piecoro adds on Twitter.
Webster, of course, was an important part of the deal that sent Wade Miley to the Red Sox. Unlike the other young righty acquired in that deal, Rubby De La Rosa, he hasn’t shown the ability to transition into a MLB pitcher.
The 25-year-old owns a 6.13 ERA over 120 1/3 total MLB innings, with a miserable 5.7 K/9 against 4.9 BB/9. It’s probably fair to call this past season his worst as a professional, as Webster walked more batters than he struck out in the majors and was bombed for 70 earned runs in his 77 Triple-A frames. Notably, also, his average fastball velocity at the major league level is nearly three miles per hour slower than it was with the Red Sox in 2013.
Nevertheless, there ought to be more than one club with interest in attempting to turn things around for the still-young hurler.
Too bad he never amounted to anything.
Too bad he never amounted to anything.
It always sucks whenever there’s a young prospect who just completely fails in the major leagues.
Spring training of 2013, after Boston had 1st gotten him he was throwing 97-99mph and looking really sweet. Then later on that season, he got a couple of MLB games in and looked scared. Afraid to throw inside and challenge hitters.
That habit was the same in every MLB start he had from then on and his velocity wasn’t 94-96 at the end as a starter (sitting), but would fluctuate lower. He seems to pitch scared and needs some Bruce “buster” Kison mentality infused in him with the kin of pitches he has. No excuse to waste the talent this kid has.
Bet you the Phillies will claim him.
Pretty easy decision for the Brewers or Phillies.
Webster will get claimed.. if I’m a rebuilding team, why not try him in the pen at the least?
Return to the sox seem reasonable? He was seen to have a No. 3 starter ceiling or so, as I recall.
They dont need him.
Webster sounds like a candidate to be picked up by the Cubs. It is almost automatic that Theo signs Red Sox cast offs.
Theo only picks up players he himself drafted, he never drafted Webster.