The Mariners announced Thursday that they’ve claimed outfielder Phil Ervin off waivers from the Reds, who’d designated him for assignment earlier in the week. Seattle also added right-hander Walker Lockett, another recent waiver claim, to the active roster.
Now 28 years old, Ervin was the 27th overall selection in the draft by the Reds back in 2013. He’s struggled immensely at the plate in 2020, going 3-for-35 with eight strikeouts and six walks. There’s some poor luck at play, evidenced by a ghastly .111 average on balls in play, but Ervin’s hard-hit rate has plummeted from 34.6 percent in 2018 to just 18.5 percent in 2020, per Statcast. He’s always been prone to weak contact when he doesn’t barrel the ball (career 85.4 mph exit velocity), but Ervin’s contact has been weak across the board in 2020.
That said, the 2020 season is a sample of just 42 plate appearances, and Ervin was a roughly league-average bat in parts of three prior seasons. From 2017-19, the former Samford University star hit .262/.326/.438 (98 wRC+ and OPS+) with 17 home runs, 23 doubles, eight triples and 14 stolen bases in 571 trips to the plate. He has experience at all three outfield positions but grades out much better in a corner than he has in his more limited sample of 283 center field innings (-1 DRS, -3.7 UZR).
Ervin doesn’t have minor league options remaining, so he’ll need to stick on the big league club or else be designated for assignment a second time. For now, he’ll give the Mariners a right-handed-hitting backup option in the outfield — one who could potentially fill that role again in future seasons if he shows well in his forthcoming audition.
Low risk. Can’t blame them for trying.
good claim
Dumpster-Divin’ Jerry!
Ervin is a good player who was endlessly jerked around while he was in Cincy. Hope he gets a fair shot, if not some measure of consistency in how he’s utilized. He kills left handed pitching and over a full season if made a starter I could see him being a .280 avg, 170 hits, 40 doubles type of player.
Ervin is a good dude and a solid player. However, he wasn’t good enough to keep up with Akiyama and Castellanos. With the need for more arms, Ervin became expendable.
Not to mention Winker and Senzel.
So that means Seattle is sending someone back correct?
No the waiver trade deadline isn’t a thing anymore. It’s just a standard claim
No
More than likely cash these days after the deadline
Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Just assuming the contract.
Former padres players that end up Seattle are never heard of again
Those this guy wasn’t there are a lot that are to include Lockett
What?
Homie, I think you’re having a stroke
Mets traded Plaweki for two players…both players were then given up to the mariners for nothing. BWV strikes again
Might as well, maybe lightening will strike
Ervin is a good player but probably a fourth outfielder long term. But with Julio, Kelenic, Trammell, and others in the system, that’s probably what he’d be anyway. Solid claim.
Has to be added to the major league roster. How much he’ll play is the question. The Mariners have some pretty good future outfield options but he’ll need to play.
Good options in the minors for the coming years. But so much on the major league roster
He can play long enough next year to add another year of club control with Kelenic. AAAA players are useful
The way it looks now is the top 3 spots are filled next year or the year after. Moore will be a super utility guy giving them a bit more flexibility.
Will be interesting to see what happens with Haniger. Smith will be traded or cut Fraley is probably an add on piece of a trade. There are others who will be trade pieces because they are blocked. I am assuming Lewis Kelenic and Rodriguez all play to their potential.