The Rays have designated infielder Ryan Schimpf for assignment (h/t Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). The team needed his spot on the 40-man roster to make room for the recently-signed Carlos Gomez.
The 29-year-old Schimpf made his major league debut with the Padres in 2016, posting a .217/.336/.533 batting line across 330 plate appearances en route to 2.5 fWAR. However, he followed it up with an unfortunate .158/.284/.424 line with a 35.5% strikeout rate in 2017, which led him to a replacement-level campaign. Fangraphs.com described him as “the poster child for the fly ball revolution going too far”, noting that his first two MLB seasons rank second and third in fly ball rate among all player seasons dating back to 2002.
The Rays had only recently acquired the left-handed hitter back in December, shipping out minor leaguer Deion Tansel. While he could clear waivers, there are probably a number of other clubs who might be willing to take a chance on his power and walk rate. The Rockies, for example, are in need of a utility infielder after learning that Pat Valaika and Shawn O’Malley are expected to miss time.
The move seems even more curious considering Schimpf was projected to make the Rays’ opening day roster as a bench player. Instead, the team will likely rely on a mix of Joey Wendle and Daniel Robertson behind a starting infield mix that includes Brad Miller, C.J. Cron, Adeiny Hechavarria and Matt Duffy until Christian Arroyo and Willy Adames force their way onto the MLB scene.
He’s definitely a super-unique player. Total TTO guy; his 2016 with San Diego was pretty fun: 20 homers, 17 doubles, 5 triples and 18 singles. Last year he doubled twice, hit fourteen homers and hit ten singles. If he had any defensive value at all he might be a useful bench bat but he really can’t play second or third very well.
Was thinking the same thing. Really intriguing bat to experiment with, but the fielding just isn’t enough to support the rest of his game.
Yeah. But he can definitely hit for power. He will probably get claimed or signed as a FA
Lol
86 career hits and 34 were home run s
86 career hits and 34hrs, yeah he’s part of the floor ball revoltution
“fly ball” brain dead!!!
This guy in Colorado would be fun. Those doubles and triples would turn into homers and he might end with a 3:1 homer to single ratio.
Sorta like joey gallo
Least funny of the Stooges.
The Cardinals need a left hand hitting bat for the bench.
Paging Mr. Bridich