Sept. 20: The A’s have formally announced Estes’ promotion to the big leagues. Righty Devin Sweet was optioned to Triple-A in order to open a spot on the active roster, while lefty Sean Newcomb has been transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Newcomb was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week with a left knee strain, and that injury will formally end his season.
Sept. 18: The A’s are poised to select the contract of right-hander Joey Estes, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The club will need to clear space on both the 40-man and active rosters in order to make room for Estes.
Estes, 21, was a piece of the package that Oakland acquired from the Braves in exchange for first baseman Matt Olson alongside Cristian Pache, Shea Langeliers, and Ryan Cusick. Estes ranks as the club’s #13 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and #21 over at Fangraphs. Though prospect evaluators seem to generally agree that he’ll have a chance to stick in the rotation, a lack of clearly above-average secondary pitches is expected to hold Estes back from becoming more than a back-end rotation option, though his fastball does have impressive movement.
Estes was impressive in 104 1/3 innings of work at the Double-A level this year, posting a 3.28 ERA in 20 appearances (17 starts) with a 23.3% strikeout rate against a 7.2% walk rate. Those results have fallen off since his promotion to Triple-A as Estes has posted a less inspiring 5.23 ERA with a 21.5% strikeout rate in his first 32 2/3 innings at the level, though it’s worth noting that inflated offensive environment of the Pacific Coast League.
Now, Estes figures to get a taste of big league action before the 2023 season comes to a close, setting him up as a potential rotation option for the A’s headed into Spring Training next year. Estes follows right-hand Joe Boyle in being called up for a late-season cup of coffee, as Boyle tossed three scoreless innings on four strikeouts, one hit, and two walks in his big league debut after being selected to the roster himself yesterday.
Joey is not related to Shawn Estes, in case you were wondering.
If I wasn’t wondering, then would they be related?
If you weren’t wondering, then you already knew that you are Joey’s father.
Congratulations!
Hey, I said “if” I wasn’t wondering. I was very much wondering and am not his father. While it would be cool to have a son in the majors, my wife would not be happy with such a shocking revelation.
Well, okay! I meant adopted, too, in case you were wondering, but please make sure to not if don’t not wonder again.
Both Joey and Shawn played in low T-ball.
Pretty sure we woulda heard about him by now from Shawn if that were the case(on a broadcast). Still remember the day I was running late to the I think NLDS game in 2014 (pence on a fence) and I was running down 3rd right along side him so he could make it for broadcasting haha! Was super nice guy took time even in his rush to share a conversation going down the street!
Realize this statement could be misinterpreted, the giants stadium lies on 3rd st and king st. We were not running from 3rd base haha!
Son of Will Estes.
7.32 FIP at AAA? Welcome to the Big Show, Joey!
Lol Those PCL numbers are almost all horrible. Especially so for Oakland pitchers. They go from AAA where everything leaves the yard into a ballpark with a ton of space. Even Blackburn was throwing BP in AAA this year.
He was the small underrated piece of the trade. He’ll be solid
Agreed and he’s only 21 so plenty of time to develop which is what the young A’s will be doing the next 2-3 years being competitive yet again unless there is sudden solid positive turn around of baseball events which happens from time to time. Again, time will tell…
I get they couldn’t afford to keep around Olsen long term but man this was a very poor trade. Even without hindsight, Pache was a deeply flawed defensive first player, and the other guys were nothing special either. Shea is playing everyday and really not doing anything. Like my fellow Pirates, you’d have to imagine the odds should be in their favor for one of these minor league prospects eventually breaking out and being valuable. Seems like some teams have all their young guys excel and some never have success in the majors.
The A’s could afford to keep Olson but the A’s owner is too cheap. He is bleeding money and taking loans out on the team to keep from going bankrupt. If the A’s kept together their team we would be talking contending for a playoff spot but instead the worst A’s team ever.
Exciting for fans of Shawn as well as a’s fans (both of them!)
Any relation to Shawn?
No
If you’re a minor leaguer in the A’s or Royals system this year, you’ve basically struck gold. The likelihood of promotion despite middling results is substantially higher, which means a big league paycheck and permanent health insurance, and also the chance to get $30k per year for the rest of your life for just 40 days on the big league roster, even if you suck.
A’s are in such disarray – their only hitters that are worthy of anything are Gelof, Rooker, and Ruiz.
Pitching is atrocious not one pitcher they have is showing much of any worth
Billy Beane in last few years as lost on most trades and their drafts have not produced in recent years outside Gelof.
The fact that they are promoting guys with subpar ERA is testimonial to a bad run org.
Blackburn and Sears have both had quality seasons.
He now has a 9.64 ERA after one start. He fits right in!