The Nationals have made their signing of right-hander Erasmo Ramirez official, announcing the move today. In a corresponding move, fellow righty Gerardo Carrillo was designated for assignment. Additionally, infielder Lucius Fox cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A.
Carrillo, 24, began his professional career with the Dodgers but went to the Nats as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in 2021. Prior to the deal, he had been placed at the back end of Baseball America’s list of top 30 Dodger prospects for three straight years beginning in 2019. He had showed enough promise that the Dodgers added him to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.
The major knock on Carrillo has been his lack of control and that has continued to be true after moving to his new organization. He has yet to reach Triple-A but has double-digit walk rates at High-A and Double-A. In 2022, he made a few appearances in April but went on the injured list and didn’t return until July. That limited him to just 21 appearances on the season as a whole, including a rehab assignment, with Carrillo posting a 6.94 ERA in that time. He struck out a solid 24.3% of batters faced but walked 11.3% of them. The Nats will now have a week to trade him or pass him through waivers.
As for Fox, 25, he was once a well-regarded glove-first prospect with the Giants but his power hasn’t developed as hoped. He was traded to the Rays and Royals, subsequently going to the Orioles and Nationals on waiver claims. He made his MLB debut in 2022 but hit just .080/.115/.080 in 28 trips to the plate. In 216 minor league plate appearances for the year, he hit .241/.321/.352 for a wRC+ of 81. He was designated for assignment last week but will now stick with the organization without occupying a roster spot.
Batman will be happy to take him back.
Didn’t you get the memo?
I thought Lucious Fox was a stripper? I want my dollar back
Come on Curly. You’re supposed to be the smart one
This is the same Lucius Fox that the Giants gave a huge international signing bonus years ago?
yes
Exactly what I was thinking. This guy was seen as top prospect and I am pretty sure he is the one that fought against being in the amateur draft. He was seen as a definite 1st round pick but used a loophole to get signed as an international free agent instead. Smart on his end because it doesn’t look like he is gonna have much of an MLB career.
Something something Batman reference something something Morgan Freeman something something dark side…
You had a well-regarded glove-first prospect, and your plan was to demote this person?
Good luck.
He’s returning to AAA, he’s just not on the 40 man anymore. He has all of 25 AB in MLB. Not really a demotion…