Here are today’s minor moves from around the league…
- The Reds have announced that RHP Barrett Astin cleared waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A Louisville. Astin, 25, was selected 90th overall by the Brewers in the 2013 draft, and traded to the Reds along with righty Kevin Shackelford for reliever Jonathan Broxton in August of the following year. During April and May, Astin bounced between Louisville and the majors, but struggled with command, walking seven batters and striking out just two across eight innings while allowing six earned runs. He’s a sinkerballer, throwing that pitch over half the time at about 92 MPH, but the changeup he features is just 6 MPH slower. He also throws a slider that clocks in around 88 MPH.
- Right-hander Brooks Pounders, who was designated for assignment by the Angels earlier this month, cleared waivers and was outrighted off the 40-man roster, per the team’s transactions page at MLB.com. Pounders, 26, appeared in 11 games for the Halos this season and 13 for the Royals in 2016, but he’s struggled considerably at the big league level. In 23 career innings, he’s pitched to a 9.78 ERA thanks largely to a whopping 10 homers allowed. Pounders does have a solid 25-to-8 K/BB ratio in that time, and he owns a career 2.94 ERA with 9.5 K/9 against 3.6 BB/9 in 131 2/3 Triple-A innings.
You heard it from me first. Brooks Pounders sounds like a cheeseburger. Quarter-pounder Brooks Pounders.
Worst name for a pitcher since Bob Walk. #PoundersGetsPounded
DL Hall is another quality one, Grant Balfour too
Former Indians closer David Riske and current White Sox RP Aaron Bummer are topped solely by the alltime greatest, Grant Balfour
Pounder isn’t even necessarily a bad one – something along lines of “(Strike)Zone Pounder” would be very positive, and his with his high K rates he has at least a chance to earn it in the future
Anthony Slama is another good/bad one…
Why would you say anything other than “…but he was pounded for…”
I had Brooks in chapel when he was in the minor leagues. He’s a good guy. I wish him well.
A few years ago I noticed Josh Outman had a 8.19 ERA. Sad!
Saw him pitch several times at the Big A. No movement on fastball. His stuff looked like a kids meal.
How can we be having a legitimate conversation about bad pitcher names and leave out Scott Blewett?
Absolute classics! Great names & this is why baseball fans are the best!!