The Rays have signed Ryon Healy to a minor league contract, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray (Twitter link). Healy will be making his return to North American baseball after playing with the Korea Baseball Organization’s Hanwha Eagles in 2021.
A veteran of five MLB seasons, Healy’s last appearance in The Show came on a big stage, as he served as the Brewers’ DH and cleanup hitter in Game Two of their wild card series game with the Dodgers in 2020. Injuries had thinned Milwaukee’s roster to the point that Healy (who had played only four regular-season games with the Brew Crew) got the nod for the elimination game, as the Dodgers knocked the Brewers out of the best-of-three series.
Healy has a .261/.298/.450 slash line over 1606 career plate appearances in the majors, almost all with the A’s in 2016-17 and then the Mariners in 2018-19. A noted prospect on his way up in Oakland’s farm system, the Athletics dealt Healy to Seattle in November 2017 since Matt Olson and Matt Chapman were blocking the way at Healy’s two corner infield positions. While Healy followed up a 25-homer campaign in 2017 by hitting 24 long balls in his debut season with the M’s, his hitting numbers declined overall, and injuries limited him to 47 games in 2019.
From there, Healy bounced to the Brewers, and then to the KBO League. The Eagles released Healy in July after he hit .257/.306/.394 over 268 PA for the Daejeon-based team. Both in South Korea and in the majors, Healy has struggled to consistently get on base, and his power dropoff with the Eagles is also a bit of a step backwards for a player who at least used to fit the three-true-outcomes model.
The Rays have been known to be looking for a right-handed hitter with first base ability, and while Healy fits that description, he might be viewed as more of a backup plan than as a true answer to Tampa Bay’s needs. Still, the Rays have been known to find hidden gems in the past, and if Healy is able to get on track, he could be an interesting complement to Ji-Man Choi or Austin Meadows (both left-handed hitters) as the Rays’ top choices at first base or DH.
A’s should have brought him back since they’re getting the old gang back together
That means they should’ve signed Kurt Suzuki too. Heck, lets bring Adam Rosales and Coco Crisp out of retirement, maybe Rajai Davis too, while we’re at it. Jed Lowrie’s still a FA, too.
Ahahaha
@PeteLaCock
Suzuki signed with the Angels so they couldn’t.
But I’d bring back Eckersley, Rickey & Dave Henderson, Canseco, Weiss, Stewart, Lansford, Honeycutt, Moore, McGwire, Welch. Steinbach, Mike Gallego.
Yea, which is why I clearly stated “should’ve” when saying what I said. But yes, you have succeeded in showing how many old A’s players you know of. Good for you, pat on the back.
The guy has a great swing. But never put it together. I pride myself on picking out good prospects in general. I don’t miss often. But he was one I thought for sure was under scouted and would be big time….. boy was I wrong
If this is the Rays’ Plan B after losing the Freddie Freeman sweepstakes, all I can ask for is a moment of silence
The way his name is spelled has always annoyed me. Which has made me root against him as a player.
Is that logical? No. But does it make perfect sense? Yes.
I hear you on that. I always feel like I have to stretch out Ry-yon.
Yes! Ry-Yon Heely. Like some sort of sci-fi shoe with wheels in it.
The cojones on this dude to force this name on baseball fans.
It’s a minor league deal so worth a try.
Who we’re you expecting Jorge Soler? Lol. Sting Rays still using Groupons.
Kid, stay in school. I know it’s difficult to focus when the Rays live rent free in YOUR dome.
Let the troll have his fun, Besides what else does he have to do… go on his first date with a girl? Lol
Fun fact about Daejeon, in a Korean poll the city was voted the most boring city in South Korea.