The A’s have announced a series of roster moves this morning, as the club selected the contract of right-hander Garrett Acton and activated infielder Aledmys Diaz from the 10-day injured list. To clear room for the pair on the active roster, right-hander James Kaprielian and infielder Kevin Smith have been optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Acton, 25, joined the A’s organization in 2021 and has a career 4.37 ERA in 148 1/3 minor league innings. His first appearance with the A’s this season will be his major league debut. Acton joins the roster alongside the return of Diaz, who joined the A’s on a two-year, $14MM deal this offseason. Diaz struggled badly to open the season with Oakland, slashing just .153/.226/.212 in 93 plate appearances before heading to the IL. While Diaz’s struggles with the bat were pronounced, he did show off his trademark versatility, appearing at all four infield spots prior to his IL stint.
Making room for the duo on the roster are Smith, 26, and Kaprielian, 29. Smith provides a similar versatility to Diaz, with experience at both outfield corners and all four infield spots throughout his career to this point. Since coming over to the A’s as part of the Matt Chapman trade, Smith has slashed just .181/.212/.307 in 233 plate appearances with the club. Kaprielian, meanwhile, was a first round pick by the Yankees in the 2015 draft, and made his debut for Oakland in 2020. Despite his draft pedigree, Kaprielian has struggled mightily in the big leagues during parts of four seasons with the A’s, posting a 4.69 ERA (84 ERA+) in 280 innings of work. That figure includes a ghastly 10.17 ERA in 23 innings this season.
Finally some Acton in Oakland
It’s acton time
This guy always Acton the fool
Interesting player, was never much of a prospect because he’s a reliever, but his fastball is hitting 98 – as a reliever that’s a nice weapon. Definitely similar to Zach Jackson. Having a 4.00 ERA in the PCL might as well mean 1.50 in normal AAA.
The pun game in the comment section is hot today.
If there is a pun opportunity, we have to Acton it.
Ok, but yours was actually good. Here, take my upvote sir.
Garrett’s piching coach has recently marvelled at the pitcher’s footwork.
He was quoted as saying “I rate your athletic feet a ten, Acton!”
Smith has been one of the very best hitters in all the MiLB dating back to the last month and a half of the ‘22 season. Sadly, at this point, I think it might be safe to say he’s very likely a AAAA player, although it would be cool to see him figure things out eventually. Still relatively young.
Might have been Smith’s last chance.
There are other Infielders in the A’s Minor league system near ready – Zack Gelof, Brett Harris, Logan Davidson, Jeremy Eierman, etc.
The A’s gave up on Nick Allen’s bat and sent him to AAA. They told Smith just hit better than Nick Allen and the shortstop job is yours. He couldn’t do it. This guy is a fringe player.
Pretending like being called up to Oakland is an actual promotion might be Garrett’s best Acton job yet…
Forgot Garrett why not just call yourself action
There are a lot of fans in Oakland Acton as empty seats!
Oakland’s scouting and trading has just went down the toilet recently. They used to be good but there looks to be hardly anything from this latest crop of talent and acquisitions. Pretty much just guys who are in the majors because the team is so poor.
Start the sentence with meanwhile, don’t put it in the middle, Nick