MLBTR Chat Transcript: 7/17/21
Click here to view today’s chat transcript.
Phillies Sign First-Rounder Andrew Painter, 10 Other Top Picks
7:36PM: Painter signed for a $3.9MM bonus, MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports, landing under the $4,197,300 slot value. As for Philadelphia’s other picks, MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reports that second-rounder Ethan Wilson signed for a $1,507,600, matching the slot price for the 49th overall pick.
6:15PM: The Phillies have made quick work of the top end of their 2021 draft class, announcing that they have come to terms with all 11 of their picks through the draft’s first 11 rounds. This includes first-round pick Andrew Painter, the high school right-hander selected 13th overall. No financial terms were announced for any of the signings — the 13th overall selection has an assigned slot price of $4,197,300.
Baseball America ranked Painter 15th on their list of prospects in this year’s draft class, while MLB Pipeline and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel each had Painter 18th, Fangraphs 22nd, and The Athletic’s Keith Law put the righty in 24th. As McDaniel notes, the additional risk involved in drafting high school pitchers might be the only red flag against Painter, since “basically everything Painter…does grades as a 55 or 60, and the frame, delivery and feel all check out.”
To that point, Pipeline and BA’s grades give high marks to Painter’s four-pitch arsenal, headlined by a fastball that sits in the 93-97mph range and is already considered a plus pitch. There could be more potential for future velocity since the 18-year-old is already either 6’6″ or 6’7″ and weighs between 210-230 pounds. Painter’s control is also very highly regarded, which Baseball America notes is something of a rarity for a high school arm.
Brewers Place Devin Williams On 10-Day Injured List
The Brewers have placed right-hander Devin Williams on the 10-day injured due to discomfort in his right elbow. The team also announced that southpaw Angel Perdomo has been called up from Triple-A to take Williams’ spot on the active roster.
Milwaukee president of baseball operations David Stearns provided some background on the injury to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and other reporters, saying that Williams felt some soreness while warming up yesterday. (The righty, as you might expect, didn’t end up pitching in the Brewers’ 11-6 win over the Reds.) An MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage, Stearns said, noting “We do not expect this to be a lengthy absence and are treating this with caution.”
The reigning NL Rookie Of The Year has taken a probably inevitable step back from his otherworldly 2020 numbers, but Williams has still been solid with a 2.97 ERA and a 36.1% strikeout rate that ranks in the 96th percentile of all pitchers. While Williams has continued to miss bats, however, his 13.9% walk rate ranks as one of the lowest (sixth percentile) in baseball.
Those control problems aside, Williams has continued to be a big piece of the Brewers’ end-of-the-game puzzle, combining with Brad Boxberger and Brent Suter to set up All-Star closer Josh Hader. While Williams’ injury could end up being as relatively innocuous as Stearns suggests, it’s probably safe to assume the Brewers (like any contender) are still interested in adding further relief depth to the bullpen for the pennant race.
Jacob deGrom Halts Throwing Due To Forearm Tightness
Mets ace Jacob deGrom has been dealing with tightness in his right forearm and has been shut down until the discomfort subsides. Manager Luis Rojas told Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News (Twitter links), SNY’s Steve Gelbs, and other reporters that an MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage to deGrom’s forearm.
The problem existed prior the All-Star break, as Rojas said deGrom felt tightness while throwing a bullpen session last weekend. The forearm tightness continued during a side session on Friday, so the Mets opted to halt deGrom’s throwing so further testing could be done. No mention was made of the injured list, though an IL stint seems inevitable considering that the Mets will surely take every precaution in making sure deGrom is fully healthy.
DeGrom has already hit the IL once this season, missing two weeks due to tightness in his right side. Despite that missed time and other nagging injuries, the right-hander is in the midst of his most spectacular season yet, with a record-challenging 1.08 ERA over 92 innings and a wealth of league-leading numbers in most major categories (14.3 K/9, 13.27 K/BB rate, 1.1 BB/9, and an absurd 365 ERA+).
Losing deGrom for any amount of time would be a major blow to a Mets team hanging onto first place in the NL East, and the specter of a long-term forearm injury would be nothing short of devastating. DeGrom has a Tommy John surgery on his record, as he underwent the procedure just a few months after the Mets selected him in the ninth round of the 2010 draft. The major surgery and a few other lesser arm problems over the years didn’t stop deGrom from becoming arguably the best pitcher of his generation, winning NL Cy Young Awards in 2018-19 and looking to be on track for a third this season.
There is no way to actually replace deGrom in the event of a longer-term absence, and the task will be even more difficult for a Mets team that was already looking to add some rotation help at the trade deadline. The trio of deGrom, Marcus Stroman, and Taijuan Walker has been excellent, while the back end of the rotation has been a revolving door thanks to injuries and underperformance. The team is hopeful that Carlos Carrasco will be able to make his Mets debut soon, and rookie Tylor Megill has started his career off with a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings, perhaps earning a longer look if New York can’t find a more experienced option on the trade market.
Braves Designate Jonathan Lucroy For Assignment
The Braves announced that catcher Jonathan Lucroy has been designated for assignment. The move opens up a roster spot for another veteran catcher in Stephen Vogt, who was acquired in a trade from the Diamondbacks.
Lucroy signed a minor league deal with Atlanta in May, and appeared in two games for the Braves after his contract was selected 10 days ago. In 23 total plate appearances with the Braves and Nationals this season, Lucroy has a .316/.409/.368 slash line, though it isn’t clear whether that small sample size might earn Lucroy a look with another team if the Braves do indeed part ways with the 35-year-old.
The former All-Star has appeared in eight total Major League games since the start of the 2020 season, and apart from a second-half outburst as a member of the Rockies in 2017, he hasn’t been an above-average hitter since the last of those All-Star campaigns in 2016. With catching depth always a scarcity around baseball, the odds are probably in favor of Lucroy landing elsewhere on another minor league deal, or a team could even claim him off DFA waiver or arrange a trade with Atlanta.
Lucroy is one of six different catchers who have suited up behind the plate for the Braves this season, as injuries (particularly to projected starter Travis d’Arnaud) have turned the catching position into a big weak spot for the team. D’Arnaud is expected to return at some point in August, while the combo of Vogt and Kevan Smith will hold the fort in the interim.
Royals Sign First-Rounder Frank Mozzicato
The Royals have announced a deal with left-hander Frank Mozzicato, selected seventh overall by K.C. in last week’s amateur draft. MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reports (Twitter link) that Mozzicato signed for a bonus of $3.55MM, considerably below the $5,432,400 slot value attached to the seventh overall pick.
The savings will allow to the Royals to spend more of their $10,917,700 bonus pool on their other picks, and there was some expectation that Mozzicato would take a below-slot deal since Kansas City exceeded the projections of draft pundits by taking Mozzicato with the seventh pick. There was a fairly wide range of opinion about Mozzicato’s draft stock, with ESPN.com’s Kiley McDaniel coming in highest by ranking Mozzicato as the 21st-best prospect in the class. (Fangraphs had the left-hander 29th, MLB Pipeline 39th, Baseball America 41st, and The Athletic’s Keith Law 54th.)
Mozzicato elevated his profile with an outstanding finish to his Connecticut high school career this spring, including a rather incredible stretch of four consecutive no-hitters. As noted in Fangraphs’ scouting report, “it’s tough to measure the performance of Northeast prep players due to the level of competition,” but clearly the Royals feel Mozzicato’s potential was worthy of such a high pick.
A plus curveball is Mozzicato’s signature pitch, receiving a 60 grade (on the 20-80 scouting scale) from both Pipeline and BA. McDaniel even writes that some scouts were even more bullish on Mozzicato’s curve, putting it in the 65-70 range. “Mozzicato already manipulates speeds on his curveball based on the situation like a veteran, with an ability to consistently execute and command the pitch well beyond his years,” according to Baseball America. Beyond the big breaking ball, Mozzicato has a fastball that sits in the early 90’s but with the potential for more velocity to be added.
Padres Reinstate Blake Snell, Drew Pomeranz From 10-Day IL; Place Ryan Weathers On 10-Day IL
The Padres have reinstated left-handers Blake Snell and Drew Pomeranz from the 10-day injured list, the team announced. Right-hander James Norwood was optioned to Triple-A, and yesterday San Diego officially placed southpaw Ryan Weathers on the 10-day IL due to a right ankle fracture.
Both Snell and Pomeranz are returning as expected after minimal 10-day IL stints, and Snell (who had gastroentiritis) is lined up to start tonight’s game with the Nationals. Pomeranz had inflammation in his throwing forearm, though this somewhat ominous injury wasn’t considered particularly serious, as Padres manager Jayce Tingler indicated to reporters at the time of Pomeranz’s placement.
The Padres will welcome all the arms they can get in the wake of multiple pitching injuries, with Weathers representing the latest absence. On the plus side, Weathers’ ankle issue seems a little less serious than it first appeared when he had to be helped off the field last Sunday, and the left-hander might potentially be able to return before July is over. Even with Snell back and Weathers perhaps not a long-term concern, San Diego is still expected to focus on adding pitching help prior to the July 30 trade deadline.
Marlins Place Pablo Lopez On 10-Day Injured List
The Marlins have placed right-hander Pablo Lopez on the 10-day injured list due to a right rotator cuff strain. The placement is retroactive to July 14. Right-hander John Curtiss has been reinstated from the 10-day IL to take Lopez’s spot on the active roster, while righty Jordan Holloway was optioned back to Triple-A after serving as the 27th man for yesterday’s doubleheader with the Phillies.
Lopez heads to the IL in the aftermath of a history-making achievement, as his last start on July 11 saw Lopez become the first MLB pitcher to ever strike out his first nine batters faced in a game. That entry into the record books has been the highlight of an overall strong season for the righty, who has a 3.03 ERA/3.48 SIERA over 101 innings for Miami and above-average strikeout (27.1%) and walk (6.1%) rates, to go along with a 47.3% grounder rate.
Lopez’s 2020 numbers were also good, and the 25-year-old is now looking like a nice building block within a Marlins pitching mix that has plenty of intriguing arms. As Man On Second’s Joe Frisaro notes, however, several of these pitchers are already nearing career highs in innings pitched, so particularly in the wake of the shortened 2020 season, it remains to be seen how the Marlins will manage their rotation innings the rest of the way.
In Lopez’s case, his previous career high was 145 1/3 IP in A-ball back in 2017, so this 10-day IL stint might act as something of a natural rest point that allows him to pitch regularly the rest of the season, assuming a relatively quick return. That said, Lopez has also had shoulder issues in the past, and the Marlins will undoubtedly carefully monitor his condition to prevent any further injury. Depending on the severity of his rotator cuff strain, it’s possible Lopez could be shut down entirely for the season, considering that Miami already seems to be looking ahead to 2022.
If the Marlins opted for a starter-by-committee or an opener/bulk pitcher approach to fill Lopez’s rotation spot, Curtiss might be in line for more “starts,” after receiving a few opener assignments with the Rays and Marlins over the last two years. Curtiss was placed on the 10-day IL due to neck stiffness back on July 4, and he has pitched well in his first season as a Marlin — a 2.67 ERA over 33 2/3 innings, despite some lackluster hard-hit ball numbers. Curtiss is controlled through the 2025 season, so the Marlins are probably less likely to move him before other relievers in potential deals prior to the July 30 trade deadline.
Rangers Reinstate Sam Huff From 60-Day IL, Designate Tyler Phillips
The Rangers have designated right-hander Tyler Phillips for assignment, the club announced. The move opens up a 40-man roster spot for top prospect Sam Huff, who has been activated from the 60-day injured list and been optioned to Double-A Frisco.
Huff underwent knee surgery back in April, and it seems quite possible that without that injury, he might already be back in the majors. Huff has yet to play at Triple-A ball and he has only 14 plate appearances at the Double-A level, but the Rangers thought enough of his performance at their alternate training site last season that they promoted Huff to the big leagues in September. From there, Huff hit three home runs and posted a 1.136 OPS over 33 PA, providing a tantalizing glimpse into his potential as a slugging cornerstone of a future Rangers lineup.
It remains to be seen if Huff will get any time at catcher, as he has played exclusively as a first baseman this season. It could be that Texas is just easing Huff back into things in the wake of his knee surgery, and he’ll eventually get some action behind the plate before the year is out. Assuming Huff continues to rake at Double-A and then at Triple-A, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him receive another September call-up before the year is out, as the Rangers could then be eyeing him as a candidate for more regular big-league duty for 2022.
A 16th-round pick for Texas in the 2015 draft, Phillips posted solid numbers in the lower levels of the farm system but began to hit some struggles in Double-A, and his Triple-A debut this season has been even more problematic. Phillips has a 9.90 ERA over 10 Triple-A frames, with more walks (12) than strikeouts (11). These control issues are a troubling new development for Phillips, as limiting walks was a strength for the right-hander over his first five pro seasons.
Royals Reinstate Wade Davis From 10-Day IL, Designate Anthony Swarzak
The Royals have reinstated veteran reliever Wade Davis from the 10-day injured list, the team announced. In a corresponding move, right-hander Anthony Swarzak has been designated for assignment.
A right forearm strain sent Davis to the IL on June 30, continuing what has been another tough season for the 35-year-old. After a pair of dismal, injury-plagued seasons with the Rockies, Davis signed a minor league deal with the Royals, looking to revive his career at the site of his 2014-16 glory days.
However, Davis has struggled to an 8.06 ERA over 25 2/3 innings out of the K.C. bullpen, surrendering an ungainly seven home runs over that limited sample size. With the Royals falling out of contention and more likely to want to look at younger pitchers down the stretch, it remains to be seen whether or not Davis will continue on the roster, though the organization could very well give some extra leeway to such a respected pitcher in the franchise’s history.
Swarzak also caught on with the Royals on a minors deal back in May, after the Diamondbacks released the righty from an earlier minor league contract in April. After not pitching during the 2020 season, Swarzak has had a rocky return to the mound, with a 9.49 ERA over 12 1/3 combined innings with Arizona and Kansas City.