The Diamondbacks announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Buddy Kennedy. In corresponding moves, they optioned infielder Emmanuel Rivera and designated outfielder Kristian Robinson for assignment.
Robinson hit .271/.384/.452 in 185 combined plate appearances at three different minor league levels — a game of rookie ball, 32 games at A-level Visalla and 10 games at high-A Hillsboro. It marked his first on-field action since the 2019 season, as Robinson had been on the restricted list for almost three years. Back in May, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco detailed the legal and visa hurdles that stalled Robinson’s career, stemming from an April 2020 incident that initially resulted in Robinson pleading guilty to a felony assault charge. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor if Robinson completed an 18-month probation period, and while that probation period was up in the spring, Robinson had to essentially put his baseball career on hold until its completion.
Though Robinson’s numbers in the minors are pretty solid, and he is only a couple of years removed from top-100 prospect status, the D’Backs are willing to move on from the 22-year-old outfielder. Claiming Robinson would require a 40-man roster spot from an interested team, but it would seem like someone will certainly take a flier on a player with his pedigree. That said, it would stand to reason that Arizona might’ve shopped Robinson on the trade market while opting for the DFA, but apparently didn’t find any acceptable offers. Because Robinson was on the 40-man roster, he is ineligible to be dealt after the trade deadline.
Rivera’s .267/.311/.376 slash line over 238 PA doesn’t quite tell the whole story of the infielder’s season, as Rivera got off to a blazing start and started getting regular duty at third base in place of Evan Longoria and Josh Rojas. However, Rivera has markedly slowed down at the plate, with only a .519 OPS in his last 123 PA. With Rivera sent to Triple-A to regroup, Longoria on the 10-day injured list, and Rojas traded to the Mariners as part of the Paul Sewald deal, utilityman Jace Peterson and Kennedy now look like the starting platoon at third base.
Kennedy was a fifth-round pick for the Diamondbacks in the 2017 draft, and he made his MLB debut last season in the form of 30 games and 94 plate appearances (hitting .217/.287/.325). The D’Backs outrighted him off the 40-man roster after the season and he has been tearing up Triple-A pitching in 2023, hitting .318/.447/.480 over 407 PA with Triple-A Reno with five homers and 22 doubles.
Most of Kennedy’s professional playing time has come as a third baseman, though he logged a lot of innings at second base and gotten some work at first base and left field. It could be that Kennedy will just be a stopgap until Longoria is able to return, but it represents another move at a position that has been a problem area for the Diamondbacks all season. The revolving door at third base is just one of many issues for a struggling Arizona team that is 8-25 since the start of July, and currently mired in a nine-game losing streak.
A couple dumb decisions may have ruined his career.
Wow! Didn’t expect this DFA. Robinson’s power and speed still showing and his BtAvg was good too. So I don’t think his DFA was for baseball reasons. But I don’t know what’s going on in Kristian’s head. I hope whatever is going on, as a human being, he can overcome any obstacles and have a healthy life, whether it’s as a baseball player or not.
I agree, he was looking pretty solid in the minors this year for not having played in almost three years and is still very young, which leads me to believe this DFA may be about more than just his performance on the field. I for one feel badly for Robinson. What he did (assaulting a police officer) was obviously unacceptable, but by all accounts his actions were the result of a mental health crisis, as opposed to him just being a punk or whatever. I read a recent interview with him, and he doesn’t seem like a bad guy. I hope that he can overcome his issues, as it would be a great story if he someday became a successful major league player (or even just a successful human being) despite all of his setbacks.
Violent people are the line in the sand and get no sympathy from me. Your attitude is what helps violent people contine to be violent and a threat to the rest of us. Of course you would not feel the same, if it were your family member that was attacked, but you’ll get up on a soap box when it’s someone else’s family.
Would you like a tissue?
I don’t give anybody a free pass for violence, but many if not most of those guys who do that stuff come from bad homes/families and have been abused themselves. Maybe it’s only a few, but some learn their lessons and get the help they need to control themselves and deal with their issues, and lead reformed lives. I don’t think the comment you replied to condoned violence, sounded like he was just wishing the best for the future of a screwed up human being, for his sake as well as others. If he repeats his crimes, he belongs in and probably will wind up in jail.
Dude looks pissed off in his baseball reference photo, mug shot?
He’s done literally nothing else violent in his lifetime. You never got in a fight in school, mlbfan?
Whatever happened to second chances?
Poppycock, Augusto! People are not victims of their environment. They are the product of the decisions they make.
Robinson made a bad decision the night he assaulted a police officer. I doubt he was thinking about his early home life while throwing punches.
Still, I believe if he’s over those issues, and at 22 is more mature than when he was 19, some team will/should give him a chance. Too much talent to ignore.
Let’s hope they kept Mrs. Robinson because she knows where joltin’ Joe went…
I saw him play for Visalia earlier this season. He looked uninspired to me. I was surprised when he got promoted.
Looks like the A’s are gonna get themselves a nice prospect.
Would the Athletics still have the number one waiver priority though? They claimed Tayler Scott off waivers from Boston on July 19. I thought per rules, it resets and the A’s go back to the bottom of the list.
From MLB.com
“If a club has already previously claimed a player on outright waivers in a given year, the club’s claiming priority will be moved to last among the 30 clubs.”
That’s if that club were to place a claim on that specific player again; it’s to avoid the type of situation where Jacob Nottingham ping-ponged back and forth between the Brewers and Mariners four times in about a month.
The A’s would have bottom priority on Tayler Scott if he went to another club and then was again designated for assignment. They maintain the top waiver priority on other players, by virtue of their record.
Call up Phillip Evans!
Well, we know now what the D’Backs will be looking for this off season, 3rd base. Let’s see would they try and sign Chapman as a free agent for big dollars. Yeah, here’s wishing they would, but I know the reality they will grab someone off the scrap heap that will cost a little of nothing. like they did with a 38-year-old Longoria.
Why do fans want their team to sign the most expensive free agent? Rarely do those deals ever work out. If you’re a fan, a intelligent one you should want your team to draft and develop players, if your favourite team signs a free agent you want them signed for one year and one year only.
Remember just a few weeks ago when Arizona thought they were contenders. Good times.
Tigers should give him a whirl. Cut Nevin from the 40 man and stick Robinson on there.
Big offseason for the snakes. As constructed + prospects graduating to mlb, the roster isn’t good enough to win a championship. Kendrick must spend major dollars on the rotation and pen in FA. Further, Hazen is going to have to trade some guys from the ML team and/or top prospects that many fans will be unwilling/unhappy to move. Kelly will be 35 and Gallen is getting his bag in 2 years. There is a 2 year window to do something, the time to shoot the wad is this offseason.
Supreme
The Dbacks will never again go “the outspend the big money teams” route. So don’t hold your breath on that happening. However, that does not automatically mean they are doomed to be mediocre. Several teams have already been successful choosing a different pathway to championship level baseball Most recently, the Rays.
I do agree with you that the Dbacks must trade some players on the current roster and some upper level prospects to achieve success. Especially to get starting pitching.
It’s too late now, but I had advocated trading Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. back when he was still red hot, but knowing they would get nothing for him now and can’t retain him for next year. Fans who hated my idea then, can perhaps see why your position on trading favorite players actually has a lot of merit.
The Tigers have young pitching and the Dbacks have young hitters. Sounds like solid trading partners.
Trying to think of the last time Detroit developed a great young pitcher?
Skubal. Verlander. Morris.
A part of me wouldn’t mind seeing Skubal in a Dbacks uni, considering he went to HS in AZ.
Hard no. Skubal is going to be our best pitcher next year.
Verlander and Morris, yes. Skubal great? Hahahaha.
I wish nothing but a positive outcome for the kid but this is a massive disappointment.
Damn, was really hoping to see him bounce back and reach his potential. Wish him nothing but the best wherever he ends up.
The Dodgers have dominated the MLB West for over a decade the Pads, Giants, Rockies and Dbacks are all pathetic teams going nowhere. Another year of no competition probably be Phils, Cubs and Reds or Brew Crew in the Wildcard round. The Giants are truly pathetic doing a complete face plant like all other teams in the West except L.A.. who will surely choke like usual in the playoffs. Fire Zaidi and Kapler both emotionless short sighted company men. One title in a Covid shortened season is truly pitiful with all the Division titles under L.A.’s belt. Bring on the NFL season let’s get Bosa signed!
Whole lot of stupid in that short story.
Another great trade by the DBACKS, add it to Dansby Swanson, Max Scherzer, JD Martinez, Paul Goldshmidt, it’s tough watching the DBACKS
But does anyone know why he was on the 40 man already to begin with? Given that he was likely a minimum of 1-2 years away from the bigs, why have him on the 40 man?
I think because of his sercice time. He was signed in 2017 for $2.5 million.
As such prospects have to be added to the 40 man eventually (5 years), or you expose them to the rule 5 draft.
I think the issues have been that since he was on the restricted list, does that count towrds his minor league serive time.
It seems he was playing with Drew Jones the other night at the ACL, so that must mean he cleared waivers?
Royals wasted a waiver claim on Bubba Thompson over this guy?