The Astros announced on Tuesday that they have designated right-hander Juan Minaya for assignment in order to clear a spot on the roster for infielder Danny Worth, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Fresno. Worth will step into Luke Gregerson’s 25-man roster spot for the time being, as Gregerson has been placed on the family medical emergency list.
[Related: Updated Houston Astros depth chart]
Minaya, 25, has pitched to a 3.91 ERA with a 19-to-10 K/BB ratio through 25 1/3 innings out of the Triple-A bullpen this season. He has yet to make it to the Major League level in his career, though he did enjoy an excellent season at Triple-A in 2015, when he logged a 2.80 ERA with 9.7 K/9 against 3.5 BB/9 in 54 2/3 innings of work. He didn’t crack Baseball America’s list of Top 30 Astros prospects this offseason and hasn’t done so in the past, but Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis of MLB.com currently have him ranked 23rd among Astros farmhands. Callis and Mayo praise his 95-96 mph fastball that can touch 98 giving the pitch a 70-grade on the 20-80 scouting scale and also crediting him with a 55-grade slider. However, their report indicates that he still needs work when it comes to throwing strikes more consistently, and walks have indeed been a problem for him throughout his minor league tenure.
Worth, 30, appeared in parts of five big league seasons with the Tigers from 2010-14 and is a career .230/.293/.295 hitter at the Major League level. He’s capable of playing second base, third base and shortstop, and he’s in the midst of an outstanding season at Triple-A, where he’s batting .330/.449/.550 with eight homers through 235 trips to the plate. He can provide the ’Stros with depth all around the infield.
Seems odd to dfa a wildcard like this for someone like Danny worth.
I agree, Minaya has the stuff to potentially become a 7th or 8th inning guy– I think Chapman should have been the casualty== he has a 6.92 ERA at Fresno, he’s 28 and his velo only hits 93.
Looking over his numbers.. Other than 2012? Every season has been in heavily offensive MiLB farm leagues, that *could* be a little of it, though imagine being wild is still the major part.
Kid could throw 100 and get hammered.. Roman Mendez sits mid 90’s and touches 97+, gets hammered at AAA. Pat Light sits 96-98 and touches 100.. Gets hammered at Pawtucket… Ya got to know where the ball is going to succeed.
Check again, Pat Light is doing great.