The Padres announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Eric Yardley. Outfielder Travis Jankowski has been optioned to Triple-A to create 25-man roster space.
The call-up represents a belated, and undoubtedly very welcome, belated birthday gift for Yardley, who turned 29 on Sunday. As noted by Baseball America’s Kyle Glaser, Yardley was an undrafted player who began his pro career in the independent Pecos League in 2013 before catching on with the Padres.
The righty has a 2.87 ERA, 7.0 K/9, and 3.46 K/BB rate over 413 1/3 career minor league innings, all in San Diego’s farm system. Yardley is an extreme groundball pitcher, easily topping the 60% grounder rate threshold in each of his professional seasons. This includes a 63.7% rate at Triple-A El Paso this year, so between keeping the ball out of the air and some pinpoint control (1.9 BB/9), it isn’t a surprise that Yardley has been able to hold his own in the extremely hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this season — he has a 2.63 ERA, 7.4 K/9, and 3.92 K/BB rate over 61 2/3 relief innings in 2019.
After being sidelined for much of the season due to a broken wrist, Jankowski appeared in just four games for the Padres before returning to the minors. Jankowski has displayed some impressive speed and defense over 313 games with San Diego since the start of the 2015 campaign, though in the wake of his lost season, he could now be a non-tender candidate this winter. Jankowski wouldn’t be in line for much of a raise on his $1.165MM salary and (as a Super Two player) he has three arbitration years remaining, but the Padres could prefer to just move on, given their depth of outfield options.
Jankowski is just another example of a player once with potential not met who then is injured and the placed on the scrap heap – hope he saved some money.
He couldn’t hit major league pitching. He figures it out and then gets injured. With myers contract where do you play jank? Margot though a little slowly actually hits better than jank even though it’s from the right side
Jankowski hit better in 2018 than Margot did. Margot is not exactly setting the world on fire this season with a .242 BA. Replacing Margot with Jankowski was not out of the question.
But with Naylor, Mejia, Myers, Margot, and Renfroe all getting time in the OF, there was really no place for Jankowski. I was surprised he was called up at all.
belated.
I’m ok with this. On another subject, in hindsight, was management wrong in trading Reyes instead of Renfroe? ?
It’s hard to say. I think Franmil will be a better hitter over time and Renfroe a better defender but honestly I don’t think either one is a guy I’d trust on a playoff team. Renfroe fooled a lot of people with a hot few months but he’s back to the same old guy swinging through trash pitches and not getting on base.
I agree with your take on the trade but as of today, I’d rather have Franmil. It appears that Franmil brought competition with Renfroe into the line up and may have been his motivation. It looks like Renfroe has lost all motivation.
No, in the national league defense matters and Renfroes D set him apart. Renfroe has scuffled, but Reyes currently has a slashline of 156/.200/.281 with the Indians.
Offense matters in both leagues. Renfroe has to contribute offensively in order to play defense, as it is clear with Greene’s most recent line up choices. Offense is still king.
Also, Franmil is still adjusting to the AL pitchers. What is Renfroe’s excuse?
Renfroe just isn’t that good. He hits home runs, but misses a lot as well. He needs to maintain .250/325obp plus.
Let’s see how he finishes out the season
Reyes also has to contribute offensively. Has a .481 OPS with Cleveland so far this season and nearly a full win below replacement.
Renfroe is literally their best player…
He’s finishing like wet noodle
Longshot but I’m hoping Reyes doesn’t turn things around and Preller is able to trade back for him for pennies on the dollar…
Sadly this might be the end for Travis in SD, who will be out of minor league options after this season.
Padres finally figure out Janko can’t hit took them long enough.
Renfroe falling off map. .183, 4 homers, 12 RBI’s he’s obviously not adjusting.
Since All Star break^