The Diamondbacks acquired outfielder Nick Heath from the Royals this afternoon, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic was among those to relay (Twitter link). Right-hander Eduardo Herrera is headed back to Kansas City in return. To clear space for Heath on the 40-man roster, Arizona designated righty Jeremy Beasley for assignment.
The Royals had designated Heath for assignment earlier this week. The speedy outfielder has only taken 18 MLB plate appearances and has only picked up marginally more playing time at Triple-A. He does have rather significant experience at the Double-A level, though, where he’s compiled a .255/.333/.372 line over 500 plate appearances. The 27-year-old Heath also has all three minor league option years remaining, so he’ll give Arizona a center field capable player with roster flexibility. Ketel Marte is currently on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
Beasley’s MLB experience consists of a third of an inning in one relief appearance. The 25-year-old has worked as a starter in the minors, compiling a 3.59 ERA in 153 career innings at Double-A. Arizona will have a week to trade Beasley or attempt to pass him through outright waivers.
Herrera was originally signed by the D-Backs as a position player, but he converted to the mound in 2019. He has struck out 40 and issued 19 walks in 25.2 low minors innings. FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen wrote last month that Herrera throws in the mid-90’s but has inconsistent breaking ball feel and command, hardly a surprise for someone so new to pitching.
Junction City, Kansas kid. Hope he gets a shot in the desert.
First time reading this. I read “hope he gets shot in the desert” I thought I need some coffee lol
Drafted in the 16th round and pick number 493. It’s impressive he actually debuted.
Heath appears to be a Billy Hamilton type player while Herrera is a Ert young two way talent. Royals had designated Heath so I definitely sliver they did great to obtain the young prospect for a 26 AAA / pinch runner
By acquiring him they’re Raising The Bar for the whole league..
It’s OK Grant, you can uh, use this one too.
If Beasley doesn’t make it back to the bigs he would be the pitching equivalent of Moonlight Graham. He would be a perfect character for a Field of Dreams sequel.
It’s a little too early for this take, sorry.
They already have Locastro, are they trying to be a new “speed” team like KC is always trying to be, because it worked in 2015 and never again?
Locastro dislocated his pinky this morning and might have to miss time. They’re short on outfield depth right now and have injuries
Dback’s problem is that both Pavin Smith and Heath are left handed, as are LF Peralta and RF Calhoun, so Heath isn’t what the Dbacks need. They need a right handed bat for CF backup.
Dback’s problem is that the front office is incompetent. Need to clean house and start over.
Snakes & arrows?
D’backs problem is that they have a bunch of Infielders playing the Outfield. Reddick was a nice signing but is redundant with a healthy Calhoun. They had a true CF in Starling Marte and traded him away.
HoHum trade, but at least it’s for the correct position. Ketel Marte has been injured in each of the two seasons he’s in CF and healthy the rest of the time at 2b and SS. I hope the Dbacks are getting the message that Marte needs to be an IFer and the Dbacks need a CF until Corbin Carroll is ready. No, Heath is not the answer, but at least there is movement at the correct position.
3-4 and a road W in his debut. Keep it up young man!