The A’s announced Thursday that right-hander David McKay has been designated for assignment. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to lefty Ken Waldichuk, whose previously reported promotion to the big leagues is now official. Oakland also recalled outfielder Cody Thomas from Triple-A Las Vegas.
McKay, 27, was a waiver claim out of the Rays organization back in July. He pitched 2 2/3 innings with the A’s, who were his third big league team of the season (Rays, Yankees). All told, McKay allowed five runs in 6 2/3 Major League innings between the three teams in 2022. He’s tallied 33 1/3 innings in his big league career, dating back to 2020, and has a 6.21 ERA with an above-average 24.7% strikeout rate but a grisly 14.7% walk rate.
McKay has also pitched with the Triple-A affiliates for all three of those organizations in 2022, working to a collective 4.50 ERA with a 25.1% strikeout rate that’s similar to his big league rate and a 10.4% walk rate (an improvement over his MLB numbers but still much higher than average). He’ll be placed on waivers or released within the week, as he’s ineligible to be traded at this point.
Thomas, like Waldichuk, will make his big league debut when he first takes the field for the A’s. The 27-year-old was a 13th-round pick by the Dodgers back in 2016 but landed with the A’s organization as part of the trade that sent infielder Sheldon Neuse to Los Angeles. (Neuse has since returned to the A’s on a waiver claim.)
Thomas has missed nearly the entire season after undergoing surgery to repair his Achilles tendon in Spring Training, but he went out on a minor league rehab assignment in mid-August and got 10 games under his belt before today’s call to The Show. Thomas hit just .226/.306/.419 in 36 minor league plate appearances, but the A’s have surely wanted to get a look at him ever since last year’s massive .289/.363/.665 showing in Triple-A (143 wRC+).
Despite tallying just 245 plate appearances in 2021, Thomas racked up 18 home runs, 20 doubles and four triples. He whiffed in 31.8% of his plate appearances, which is an obvious concern, but Thomas also posted a solid 10.2% walk rate in Vegas a year ago. He’ll turn 28 next month, making him much older than the standard “prospect,” but last year’s big showing certainly merits at least a late audition at the MLB level.
Next year he will be pitching overseas on some team. His stats shows a guy who has not been getting better but worse the last few years. he needs to start over in a foreign league.
A’s fan’s enjoy Waldichuk. I really hope he succeeds with you guys. Good guy to.
A little surprised they Called up Cody Thomas instead of Luis Barrera, but either would be an upgrade over playing a 2nd Baseman like Tony Kemp in Left field, which we have been doing for the past month.
When Kemp plays in the Outfield, it means another light weight HItter in the lineup at a Position that traditionally is populated with a Power hitter.
Factor in Machin has been playing at 3B, Nick Allen at SS, and Stevenson CF and Kemp in LF is like an attempt to field the Lowest slugging percentage lineup of all time.
I welcome Cody Thomas to the outfield mix.
Kemp will be a question in off season if they offer him a contract. 50/50 they don’t. Machin will take over Pinder spot as utility player because Pinder is a FA. Stevenson is the A’s 4th outfielder next year. Allen will be their starting SS. There will be a lot of OF changes next year for the A’s.
If light hitting Cal Stevenson makes the A’s roster next season then the team is in real trouble.
Cal has enough OBA to stick as a 4th outfielder. He also hits Left handed so that is a plus. I am more concerned about Seth Brown poor plate disciple. all he wants to do is hit a home run or strike out. So you rather have a guy who hits a home run now and then but never is on base.
A lot? I’m not sure, Pache will be in center – doubt they trade Laureano (RF) until the trade deadline since he is hurt, again. Bolt or Brown in left…. Seems like the same group as this year. I think in ’24 there will be a lot of changes…
Just wanted to add that David McKay is currently hurt and will have to be placed on release waivers.
Billy-the-Bean at it again … so exciting for a’s fans (both of ’em).
Sounds like you always posting the same comment. You even like your own comment is even more pathetic. ADS
Give Billy Beane the same Financial Resources that other GMs enjoy and he will Win a Chip.
The guy is given Crap to work with, and asked to turn it into Diamonds, which means little to no margin for error.
I’m amazed he has gotten so many Player decisions right and has been able to steer the team to 11 Playoff Appearances since year 2000. Pretty amazing considering he is working with Bottom 5 Team payrolls every year.
What is the Mariners excuse? 1 Playoff appearance since 2001, despite being owned by Nintendo and having much larger team payrolls?
Wow. He pitched in a total of 4 games for 3 different MLB teams this season. That’s almost surreal. Doesn’t sound like he is being give much of a chance anywhere he goes.
His stats shows he hasn’t been good at any of the stops.