The Diamondbacks announced Tuesday that they’ve selected the contract of right-hander Stefan Crichton from Triple-A Reno and optioned right-hander Jimmie Sherfy to Reno in a corresponding move.
Crichton, 27, got some experience at the big league level with the Orioles back in 2017, though he tallied just 12 1/3 innings and allowed 11 runs in that brief sample. So far in 2019, he’s pitched 32 1/3 innings out of the Reno bullpen and logged a 4.18 ERA with 8.4 K/9, 3.6 BB/9 and a hefty 59.8 percent ground-ball rate. Crichton has regularly turned in large ground-ball numbers throughout his minor league career, and he’s averaged just over a strikeout per inning to this point in his Triple-A career as well.
It could very well prove to be a brief promotion for Crichton, but he also has a minor league option remaining, which would allow the D-backs to shuttle him back and forth between Phoenix and Reno as their bullpen needs dictate over the course of the season’s final few months. Of course, it’s also not out of the question that Crichton impresses and secures a more long-term spot in the team’s relief corps. While the D-backs have several relievers locked into bullpen roles, there are a couple of bullpen spots that have been in flux throughout the season.
Obligatory Farscape reference
Why do the dbacks keep optioning out Sherfy? Seems to be one of the only ones who can get anyone out.