The Rangers released outfielder Carlos Tocci from his contract at Triple-A Nashville today, according to a tweet from team VP John Blake (link).
Tocci originally signed out of Venezuela in 2011 via a $759K agreement with the Phillies. He became a Rule 5 draft pick of the White Sox in 2018 and was ultimately traded to the Rangers for cash. The defensively gifted outfielder was then stashed on Texas’s big league roster throughout the entirety of the 2018 campaign, despite profound struggles in limited playing time (.225/.271/.283 slash in 135 at-bats). At just 23 years of age, it would stand to reason that Tocci would be worth keeping around the Rangers org–if not for his upside, then certainly for the substantial commitment Texas has already placed in him.
Apparently, though, Texas found Tocci’s 2019 production with Nashville to be underwhelming enough to justify walking away altogether. After being designated for assignment on July 22nd, Tocci was outrighted last week to the club’s Triple-A roster–a roster where he recorded just a 55 wRC+ in 367 Pacific Coast League at-bats on the year.
What a waste of space on the 40 man roster
Excellent job of scouting for the 2018 Rule 5 Draft. Hard to believe an MLB organization scouted, drafted, and dedicated a 25 man roster spot to a player, only to cut him the next season. How do these guys get their jobs? What did they do before that Rule 5 draft, draw out of a hat? Seriously, did any fan ever see Tocci play and think he was a future MLB player? His defense, his only strength, wasn’t even anything special. He couldn’t hit a lick, not even in the minors.
He was basically an automatic out last year. Even “good defensive players” should look competent in the batters box. This guy was the worst players in the majors last year.
He actually had a better Weighted On-Base Average (WOBA) then Chris Davis last year (.247 Vs. .239).
That probably says more about Davis then it does Tocci though.
So most rule 5’s get sent back and he made it the whole year. His bat was starting to come around at the end of last year but this year he regressed.
Boy, it’s a good thing they kept him the entire season to have the rights to release him.
Jon Daniels and Ray Davis at their best…….always wanting something for nothing!
I mean, they had good success with Delino Deshields, can you blame them for trying again?
Meanwhile Scott Heineman put up a .306 .371 .445 .816 slash line last year with good speed. Didn’t even get a call up. The rangers are always wasting time on reclamation projects with high ceiling-high risk guys. The problem is.. the rangers suck at developing their own guys.. especially pitching.
Heineman is getting his shot now and producing, so settle down. GM’ing from you arm chair is always easiest. They tried, it didn’t work. Why is everyone in a twist. Stop being so but hurt and move on. If the Rangers suck that much, feel free to find another team’s banner to wave. Sick of all the hate in here.
heineman had suegery and was in rehab. He is finally getting his shot now.
Can you imagine the outrage from these same fans had JD called up a guy last year to play for Tocci and the guy was on the DL?