The Tampa Bay Rays have recalled Ian Gibaut to make his major league debut, the team announced (via Twitter). Much-lauded two-way player Brendan McKay has been optioned to Triple-A to make room.
McKay’s first taste of the majors did little to quell the excitement about his eventual arrival as a regular two-way player. He took two turns through the rotation, accumulating 0.3 rWAR in the process and earning his first major league win. After going six scoreless against the Rangers in his sterling debut, he got a no-decision in giving up three earned runs across five innings against the vaunted Yankees. He returns to Triple-A after 11 innings, three earned runs, seven hits, six strikeouts and a walk.
As a batter, McKay remains largely uninitiated, as he went 0-4 in his only start as a designated hitter. McKay is generally regarded as less advanced as a hitter than a pitcher. The Rays do not likely view him as a contributor on that side of the ball until next season at the earliest. On the hill, however, there’s a good chance he will see another opportunity at some point in 2019.
As for Gibaut, the 25-year-old Texan was an 11th round pick by the Rays in 2015. He missed two months of this season with injury, but since returning to Triple-A Durham, Gibaut has been on his game: 9 appearances, 1.93 ERA, 3.9 H/9, 15.4 K/9, 6.8 BB/9. Outside of some location issues, Gibaut has all the makings of a late-game reliever. He has recorded 35 saves in the minors, though the Rays will no doubt look to leverage his opportunities early on given the depth of their relief corps.
Before everyone overreacts about McKay, he’ll get his turn in the rotation at Triple A over the All-Star Break then likely get the call back up.
I’m pretty sure he’s in the futures game, July 7th, which has a little to do with it. So does manipulating service time. It’s frustrating to see them lose Cron for nothing more than saving $4,000,000 or so. I would have traded him last year or started the year with him. He’s contributed over half the production of Cruz while earning less than half. They could have traded him and some money (along with Vasquez/Velasquez utility player they just traded or Sadler etc) for J Gray in the off-season or someone like that. It would have been great to send him to the Yankees for a better package or not, and trade part of the return for Voit. It would cost the Yankees five million more at least.
I hope this post is a joke. Cron may be playing well but he had next to no value in the offseason.
Yeh….I always getta kick outta ‘let’s trade our junk for your good players’ posts. Makes me rme every time.
A lot of hype around Gibaut. Could turn out to be a solid big league reliever
I doubt “Two-Way” throws any pitches for Durham. They’ll bring him back as the 26th man for the double header Saturday, then reinstate him to the 25. A logical move.
As for Gibault, “outside of some location issues, Gibault has all the makings of a late inning reliever” is about the definition of ringing endorsement…….”Besides that, Mrs. Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?”……
You’re annoying
^
Gee. Didn’t see this coming….
He would have already been up had he not injured himself.