The Tigers have announced that right-hander Drew Carlton has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. Carlton had been designated for assignment last week.
Carlton, 26, has seen sporadic MLB action over the past couple of seasons, throwing 3 2/3 innings out of Detroit’s bullpen last year and another 8 2/3 frames this year. He has a tidy 2.92 ERA in that small sample, but with a mediocre 15.7% strikeout rate along with average-ish walk and ground ball rates of 7.8% and 39.5%, respectively.
Carlton’s numbers at Triple-A this year are more concerning, however. Despite a 2.92 ERA with the Mud Hens last year, he has a 6.91 mark here in 2022. Despite solid strikeout and walk rates of 24.2% and 4.8%, respectively, he seems to have been undone by a .341 BABIP and 54.5% strand rate, both of which are much worse than the typical averages.
This is Carlton’s second outright of his career, meaning he has the right to reject the assignment and elect free agency. However, it’s not yet clear if he has made a decision in that regard. If he does decide to test the open market, he could still garner interest from teams, most likely on a minor league deal, given that he just cleared waivers. He still has options and is fairly young. If any team were willing to chalk up his poor Triple-A performance to bad luck, they could see the value in adding him as a depth option that doesn’t require a roster spot.
Won’t he retain the right to be a free agent at year-end regardless of what he chooses now? If so, he’s probably better off pitching regularly in Toledo to re-build his record rather than sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.
Stay in Detroit. An unloading of the bullpen will be happening in the next two weeks.
Chafin and Fulmer are as good as gone. Hopefully, they pick up a big bat or two.
I say again, his AAA numbers are skewed. He had 2 rough outings in AAA in very early July (8 runs on July 4th). Before those 2 outings where be gave up 13 runs, he had a 3.75 ERA for the Mud Hens.. The Tigers called him up and he performed well for them.
I hope he sticks around.
Correct you are. I really like Chafin, and I have an irrational thought to hold on him and hope that he stays in Detroit for his opt out year, but that would be unlikely.
Kerry Carpenter getting promoted?
Kerry Carpenter appears to be ready as a hitter but maybe has no place on the diamond. The conversion from 1B to the OF hasn’t looked good and 1B is for super hyped prospect Spencer Torkelson only. He could DH instead of Miguel Cabrera if it wasn’t for Cabrera’s legacy, 50 million and hurt feelings which is far more important to the Tigers than anything else.
He will be back and maybe in the Tigers rotation after the trade deadline.
I expect at least 2 or 3 Tigers relievers to be traded.
RHSP Michael Pineda is pitching better and would make a nice #4 or #5 Starter on a contender.
Tigers also have some young rotation pitching rookies that will be on “innings limits”
Veterans wanting to prove their mettle for future jobs and contracts would be smart
to stay close since there will be a lot of innings to fill after the trade deadline.
Love the name. I was hoping he was Steve Carlton’s son. Hoping he’s another generational pitcher. Wish the Phillies would sign him, just because……
They might be distant relations both hail from Florida. Not a common last name.