The Rays have optioned left-handed starter Blake Snell to Triple-A Durham, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The club will recall reliever Ryne Stanek to take Snell’s roster spot, Topkin adds (on Twitter).
Tampa Bay elected to demote Snell after he turned in arguably his worst start of the year in a 6-3 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday. The 24-year-old went 5 2/3 innings, marking the seventh time in eight starts this season that he hasn’t completed at least six frames, and yielded six earned runs on six hits and three walks, with five strikeouts. In 42 innings this year, Snell has logged a bloated 4.71 ERA with a disappointing strikeout rate (7.29 per nine innings) and a horrid walk rate (5.36).
Snell also struggled with control as a rookie last season (5.16 BB/9), but the former top prospect managed to offset that to a degree with a stellar 9.91 K/9, which helped him post a quality ERA (3.54) in 89 innings. Since then, though, Snell has lost some fastball velocity and generated fewer swinging strikes, as his rate has fallen from 10.9 percent in 2016 to 8.8 percent this year. Overall, Snell has been the weak link in a Rays rotation that has otherwise been a strength in 2017, with Chris Archer, Alex Cobb, Matt Andriese and Jake Odorizzi having recorded positive results.
With Snell returning to the minors, veteran swingman Erasmo Ramirez is likely to take his rotation spot, per Topkin, though he notes that the Rays might not need a fifth starter imminently. Snell’s demotion shouldn’t affect his long-term control, as he entered the season with 110 days of service time and is now closing in on the 172 necessary to accrue a full year. Thus, assuming Snell returns to the majors this season, he should still remain on track to reach free agency after the 2022 season.
He needs to learn how to throw strikes. If he doesn’t do that when his FA year is wont matter
Rich Hill couldn’t throw strikes for a long period of time until he figured it out. Snell is talented hope he turns it out Bc Rays will need him in the future.
Rich Hill also only pitches like 15 games a year.
I don’t think them optioning him a few days before he hits a full season of service time is insignificant or a coincidence. Not that they are certain or even likely to keep him down the rest of the year, but service time almost certainly was and will be a factor in how they use him.
Clearly you haven’t watched him pitch this year. It’s not service time, he can’t throw strikes or go more than 5 innings. He had five full counts on six batters in one inning today. He is always great for two or three innings and then falls apart. Maybe he is destined for the bullpen, the Rays need major help there anyways.
Jacob Faria should get the 5th spot. He’s been dynamite in AAA.
Brent Honeywell would be a solid choice also. Maybe want to give him half a season or more in AAA.
Faria has significantly more upper level experience and has performed superlatively so far in AAA. He, Honeywell and De Leon should all be getting time in the big leagues this year imo. Cobb/Odorizzi should be getting shopped hard.
Agreed… Cobb and Odorizzi got to be on the block. Honeywell is looking like a stud in the making.
Odorizzi shopped this year? For a big haul? Sure. If not you have 3 seasons of club control left. He looks to be another top 2 pitcher. Those aren’t “cheap” to acquire.
Cobb- wait till near the end of the deadline.
Get the biggest bang
Good idea. Bucs should do the same with Glasnow.
Maybe we could trade Glasnow for Snell?
Snell is actually doing better than TG, so Tampa Bay probably won’t go for it. 😉