Diamondbacks To Sign Seth Frankoff To Minor-League Deal

The Diamondbacks are signing Seth Frankoff to a minor-league contract, MLBTR has learned. The 32-year-old made his return to MLB last year after spending the previous two seasons in South Korea.

A former Athletics, Cubs and Dodgers farmhand, Frankoff performed well for the Korea Baseball Organization’s Doosan Bears from 2018-19. Over a combined 266.2 innings between the two seasons, the right-hander posted a 3.68 ERA with solid strikeout (21.9%) and walk (7.6%) rates.

That showing earned Frankoff a minor-league deal from the Padres last winter. He failed to crack San Diego’s big league roster, though, and elected free agency. The Vanguard Sports client then signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners and eventually earned his way onto the roster. He made a pair of relief appearances before being optioned out and was eventually outrighted off Seattle’s 40-man.

Frankoff’s big league track record only consists of three MLB games (one with the 2017 Cubs). Nevertheless, he’ll be on hand as a flexible high-minors depth option for the D-Backs. Frankoff’s starting experience in Korea could make him an option for either the rotation or multi-inning relief if he shows well in the spring.