Red Sox To Sign First-Rounder Triston Casas
The Red Sox are set to sign first-round corner infielder Triston Casas to a $2,552,800 bonus, which is full slot value for his pick (26th overall), Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports. The deal is pending a physical.
The 18-year-old Casas, a high school star from Florida, was anywhere from the 20th- to 48th-best prospect in the draft, according to MLB.com, Baseball America, ESPN’s Keith Law and FanGraphs. MLB.com, the outlet with the highest opinion of Casas, noted entering the draft that the lefty-swinger’s “all about his bat and the power he can produce with it.” Casas packs a wallop when he puts the bat on the ball, though there are some questions about his ability to make contact. Defensively, while Casas currently plays third base and has an impressive arm, he’s likely headed for first, per MLB.com.
The fact that Casas will sign with the Red Sox means he won’t attend the University of Miami, where he had committed. Boston left quite an impression on him during a pre-draft visit, Drellich relays.
“It was a great experience going to Boston,” Casas said. “It was my first time in Boston and in Massachusetts, so I really enjoyed my time there, I really loved the city and I love the build of it and I love the way that Fenway fit right in the middle of it, just like another building. I’m really excited and I can’t be more happy with the way [the draft] turned out. I feel like the park suits my swing well, and hopefully I get up to the big-league club soon and make an impact.”
Rockies Designate Jairo Diaz, Select Jerry Vasto
The Rockies have designated right-hander Jairo Diaz for assignment and selected the contract of left-hander Jerry Vasto from Triple-A, according to a team announcement. Additionally, Colorado has placed reliever Scott Oberg on the disabled list with a back strain.
The hard-throwing Diaz joined the Rockies prior to 2015 and saw action with the team that season and during the 2017 campaign, combining for a 3.75 ERA with 7.5 K/9, 4.13 BB/9 and a strong 57.3 percent groundball rate over 24 innings. But Diaz underwent Tommy John surgery in 2016, causing him to miss that season, and has only tossed 28 2/3 innings between the majors and minors since. Diaz opened 2018 with 3 2/3 frames of four-earned run ball at the Triple-A level, and he has been shelved with forearm tightness since mid-April, Nick Groke of the Denver Post tweets.
Vasto, 26, is set to make his MLB debut after initially joining Colorado as a 24th-round pick in 2014. He ascended to the Triple-A level last season and has been particularly effective this year, having logged a 1.71 ERA with 11.14 K/9, 3.43 BB/9 and a 47.9 percent grounder rate in 21 innings.
Nationals Place Stephen Strasburg, Brandon Kintzler On DL
SUNDAY: Strasburg and Kintzler (right forearm flexor strain) are now on the DL, the Nationals announced. To fill those two roster spots, the Nats recalled righties Wander Suero and Trevor Gott from Triple-A.
SATURDAY: The Nationals will place right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the 10-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post was among those to report. There’s no timetable for Strasburg’s return, though manager Dave Martinez indicated that he doesn’t have any structural damage, per Dan Kolko of MASN.
The DL placement was expected for Strasburg after his shoulder forced him out of a start early on Friday, when he lasted only two innings against the Giants. Fortunately, though, it appears the Nationals have dodged a catastrophic injury in this case. Still, it’s yet another injury in a growing line for the 29-year-old Strasburg, who entered 2018 off three straight abbreviated seasons. As always, Strasburg has been terrific when healthy this season, making his forthcoming absence all the more difficult for a Washington team with a half-game lead over second-place Atlanta in the NL East.
Before he went on the shelf, Strasburg opened the season with a 3.46 ERA and 10.6 K/9 against 2.12 BB/9 over 80 2/3 innings. The Nationals likely won’t be able to replace that production, and they were already dealing with a hamstring injury to resurgent back-end starter Jeremy Hellickson. Now, the only sure bets in their rotation are superstar Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark. Triple-A hurlers Erick Fedde and Austin Voth are also on the Nationals’ 40-man roster and could be candidates for promotion. Veteran Tommy Milone is on hand at the minors’ highest level, too, but the Nats would need to add him to their 40-man before giving him a shot in the majors.
Elsewhere on Washington’s staff, righty reliever Brandon Kintzler will go for an MRI after leaving his outing Saturday with forearm tightness – which is often a sign of a serious injury for a pitcher. The Nats will hope that’s not the case after re-signing Kintzler to a two-year, $10MM guarantee in the offseason. The 33-year-old has begun 2018 with a 4.45 ERA, 6.67 K/9, 3.81 BB/9 and a 44.7 percent grounder rate (down from a lifetime 56.7) in 28 1/3 innings.
West Notes: Giants, Trout, Fister, Astros
The Giants placed reliever Cory Gearrin on outright waivers last week, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (video link). No one claimed Gearrin, however, and he remains a member of the Giants. The luxury-tax threshold helped influence the decision to waive Gearrin, per Rosenthal, who points out that San Francisco is $2MM-plus above the $197MM figure. Had someone taken Gearrin off the Giants’ hands, it would have saved the team upward of $1MM and helped give it more flexibility as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches. It’s no surprise the 32-year-old Gearrin went unclaimed, though, given that he has recorded a 5.11 ERA over 24 2/3 innings with unappealing walk, groundball and home run rates (4.74 BB/9, 34.2 GB percentage, 1.82 HR/9).
Now the latest from the AL West:
- The Angels haven’t capitalized on center fielder Mike Trout‘s presence, evidenced by their zero playoff wins since he burst on the scene in 2012, leading Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times to wonder if he’d consider signing an extension with the team if it doesn’t become a major contender soon. Trout, who’s under control through 2020 on the six-year, $144.5MM deal he signed in 2014, isn’t sure about his future at this point. “I don’t know the answer,” he told Shaikin. “I want to get to the playoffs. That’s my mindset. I can’t predict the future. So I just take it one game at a time now and see what happens.” The Trout-led Angels (37-28) are firmly in the playoff hunt this year, but in spite of their impressive record, they’re still 3.5 games out in both the AL West and the wild-card race. While Shaikin opines that the Angels could use some outside help around the trade deadline to help snap their three-year playoff drought, general manager Billy Eppler offered: “It’s tough to get that starting pitcher. It’s tough to get that everyday bat, or impact bat. Those are harder to acquire.” On the other hand, Eppler noted that the trade market’s typically “flush with relievers whose contracts are expiring at the end of the year.”
- The Rangers announced that they’ve placed right-hander Doug Fister on the disabled list, retroactive to Saturday, and recalled infielder Hanser Alberto from Triple-A. It’s the second DL stint of the year for Fister, who’s dealing with a right knee strain. He previously missed time in April with a right hip strain. Thanks in part to his injury issues, it hasn’t been a particularly good season for the 34-year-old Fister, whom the Rangers added on a $4MM guarantee in free agency. Despite a 50.4 percent groundball mark and a low walk rate (2.59 per nine), Fister has logged 4.50 ERA/5.19 FIP over 66 innings and 12 starts. Given that Texas won’t be in contention around the deadline, the team could market the veteran if he’s healthy, though it seems unlikely he’ll have much of any value.
- The Astros have placed reliever Joe Smith on the DL and recalled lefty Reymin Guduan from Triple-A, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic tweets. Smith’s battling “elbow discomfort,” which obviously isn’t the most reassuring ailment for a pitcher. Like Fister, Smith inked a free-agent contract over the winter and has endured a down season. The recipient of a two-year, $15MM pact, the normally solid Smith has put up a 5.49 ERA in 19 2/3 innings, but he has managed quality strikeout, walk and grounder rates (9.15 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 49.0 GB percentage).
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: NY, Twins, Rockies, Mariners, Angels, Bucs
This week in baseball blogs..
- Good Fundies chronicles the meddling of Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon.
- Bronx To Bushville believes the Yankees have what it takes to win the trade deadline.
- Twins Daily debates which players Minnesota should consider extending.
- Rox Pile runs down players on each non-contender whom the Rockies should consider pursuing.
- FSH Baseball analyzes Juan Nicasio‘s unusual season.
- Angels Avenue examines how Halos reliever Cam Bedrosian is adjusting to a drop in velocity.
- Bucs Dugout sees signs that Pirates outfielder Austin Meadows is a legit building block.
- Camden Depot focuses on the Orioles’ terrible outfield defense.
- Sports Talk Florida takes a look at the outside-the-box ways in which the Rays are trying to keep up with their higher-payroll division rivals.
- Foul Territory Baseball pays tribute to Red Schoendienst.
- MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed proposes five big trades that that should happen by the deadline.
- Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) contends that Max Scherzer is the early NL MVP front-runner, and uncovers three Phillies-related statistics.
- The Sports Tank advises the Red Sox to move Drew Pomeranz to the bullpen.
- Outfield Fly Rule writes about the reinvention of Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki.
- Rising Apple asks if it was a mistake for the Mets to re-sign Yoenis Cespedes to a megadeal.
- Jays Journal interviews longtime Blue Jays reliever Duane Ward.
- Chin Music Baseball names the 10 worst players of May.
- A’s Farm profiles the Athletics’ top 11 draft picks.
- The K Zone recaps the Mets’ draft.
- Pinstriped Prospects reports on new draftees who have signed with the Yankees.
- Extra Innings breaks down players taken in the MLB draft with European connections.
- STL Hat Trick says the Cardinals should replace hitting coach John Mabry.
- Rays Colored Glasses urges Tampa Bay to embrace a youth movement.
- Mets Daddy explains why the club hasn’t called up first base prospect Peter Alonso.
- Everything Bluebirds calls for honesty from the Blue Jays’ front office.
- Pirates Breakdown lists three quick fixes for the Bucs.
- The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) wonders which Twins injury is the most frustrating, and profiles Astros minor league pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn.
- Tim Ryder is still holding out hope for a David Wright return.
- Friars On Base is excited about the Padres’ offense.
- SportsTalkPhilly.com talks to Willie Schwanke, who was a teammate and then coach of Phillies first-round pick Alec Bohm.
- Rotisserie Duck looks at the best vintage baseball nicknames.
Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com
Mets Could Demote Michael Conforto
Mets outfielder Michael Conforto looked like one of the brightest young stars in baseball last season, his age-24 campaign, when he slashed .279/.384/.555 with 27 home runs and racked up 4.3 fWAR. Conforto piled up those stellar numbers over just 440 plate appearances before undergoing season-ending left shoulder surgery in early September, and because of that injury, the Mets went into the winter unsure of what he’d provide in 2018.
To Conforto’s credit, he worked his way back to the Mets’ lineup a few weeks earlier than expected, making his season debut on April 5. At that point, New York was amid a red-hot start that would see the team collect 11 wins in its first 12 games. Two months later, the Mets are a lowly 27-34, owners of the third-worst record in the National League and the NL’s second-worst offense by runs scored (235).
Even though he owns the majors’ 11th-best walk percentage (15.1), Conforto hasn’t really been part of the solution, having hit an uninspiring .219/.340/.365 line with seven homers in 212 PAs. The Mets even pinch-hit for him in the ninth inning of a one-run loss to the Yankees on Saturday, electing to sit the left-handed Conforto in favor of the righty-swinging Devin Mesoraco with southpaw Aroldis Chapman on the mound.
Unfortunately for Conforto, there may be a more significant demotion on the way if he doesn’t turn his season around soon. The Mets have considered sending Conforto to Triple-A Las Vegas to work through his issues, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The likelihood of that has decreased over the past day, Sherman notes, given that fellow outfielder Yoenis Cespedes suffered a setback in his injury rehab on Saturday. Had Cespedes remained on track, New York may well have optioned Conforto upon the veteran’s return. For his part, Conforto – whom the Mets previously sent to the minors during a disappointing 2016 – doesn’t believe he’d benefit from another trip to Vegas.
“Triple-A is not an answer. I’ve been through that,” he said. “I have done all I can do down there. I play at this level, that’s it.”
While Conforto understandably wants to remain in the majors, the Mets may have an outfield logjam on their hands when Cespedes does come back. He and the emergent Brandon Nimmo will be guaranteed starting jobs, manager Mickey Callaway informed Sherman, leaving one everyday spot for the struggling Jay Bruce (in the first season of a three-year, $39MM contract) and Conforto. Both players are lefty hitters, so the Mets wouldn’t be able to simply platoon them, and Conforto has options remaining. As such, the Mets may send him down so he’ll continue receiving consistent at-bats.
In another scenario, Sherman points out that Bruce and/or Cespedes could see time at first, which would perhaps spell the end of the Adrian Gonzalez era. The Mets brought Gonzalez in over the winter as a league-minimum free agent, but it hasn’t worked to this point. They’re mulling how much longer they want to go with Gonzalez, Jose Reyes and Jose Bautista – three mid-30-somethings whose best days appear long gone. Moving on from some or all of that group instead of demoting Conforto would seem to make more sense for a New York club that doesn’t look as if it’s going to contend this season, though it seems Conforto’s going to have to make a case for a roster spot as the team awaits Cespedes’ return.
While Conforto’s bottom-line production has declined this year, his underlying numbers have also worsened. After running up a .385 expected weighted on-base average a year ago, he’s at .332 this season. That’s still above the .321 league average, though it’s not the borderline elite figure he posted in 2017, when he averaged a 95.2 mph exit velocity on fly balls/line drives and made 95 mph-plus contact on 43.2 percent of batted balls. This season, Conforto has posted a 92.3 mph mean on flies/liners and seen his rate of 95 mph-plus contact drop to 32.8. Further, Conforto’s line drive rate has dropped off considerably since 2017 (from 24.4 percent to 17.7), while both his groundball percentage (37.8 to 41.9) and infield fly rate (10.1 percent to 14.0) have increased to discouraging degrees.
All of the above has helped add up to Conforto’s subpar start and may lead to a minor league demotion sometime soon. For now, he and his team, losers of eight straight (all at home), are left to dig out of a deep hole. Having scored just 10 runs this month, during which Conforto has batted .080/.207/.200 in 29 PAs, the Mets sit 8.5 games out in both their division and a crowded NL wild-card race.
Quick Hits: Tanaka, Machado, Phillies, Mikolas, Twins, Padres
The Yankees have placed right-hander Masahiro Tanaka on the disabled list with mild strains of both hamstrings, according to the team, which recalled infielder Ronald Torreyes in a corresponding move. Tanaka suffered the injuries on the base paths during the Yankees’ game against the Mets on Friday, forcing him to depart after five quality innings. He’s now the second member of New York’s season-opening rotation on the DL, joining lefty Jordan Montgomery, who’s out for the year.
Tanaka will miss “weeks,” manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com and other reporters, though it’s unclear whom the Yankees will call on in his absence to join Luis Severino, CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray and Domingo German in their rotation. Two Double-A prospects – Domingo Acevedo and Jonathan Loaisiga – as well as Luis Cessa (who’s nearing a return from the DL, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com tweets) and A.J. Cole seem to be their most realistic 40-man options. The club has an open 40-man spot, however, and could take advantage of that by selecting the likes of Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams or David Hale from Triple-A.
A bit more from around the majors…
- The Phillies are genuinely interested in Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com hears. Zolecki’s report jibes with one from FanRag’s Jon Heyman, who noted this week that Philadelphia had already reached out to Baltimore in regards to Machado. The 32-30 Phillies have been slumping lately, however, and may not be serious contenders when the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline arrives. Whether they end up vying for Machado and other veterans around the deadline will be determined over the next several weeks, general manager Matt Klentak suggested. “How we come out of June and how we transition into the month of July and what our placement in the standings is in the month of July will be what really dictates what our Trade Deadline strategy is,” Klentak said. “If we are contending and in a legitimate spot to make a run, then I would expect to address that and make moves. We just have to maintain the proper perspective on that and adjust as our performance suggests we adjust.”
- Along with the previously reported Rangers, the Twins and Padres were among teams with offseason interest in right-hander Miles Mikolas, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Mikolas, who pitched in Japan from 2015-17, ended up signing a two-year, $15.5MM deal with the Cardinals. The 29-year-old is no stranger to the Padres, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft and then had him on their roster for parts of the 2012 and ’13 seasons. Mikolas was unheralded in San Diego, but he has turned into one of the NL’s most effective starters during his stint in St. Louis. Across 79 1/3 innings this season, Mikolas has notched a 2.27 ERA with 6.58 K/9, 1.02 BB/9 and a 50.2 percent groundball rate.
Minor MLB Transactions: 6/9/18
The latest minor moves from around baseball:
- Mets left-hander Buddy Baumann and infielder Phillip Evans cleared waivers and will be assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas, Tim Healey of Newsday tweets. The club designated both players for assignment earlier this week. The 30-year-old Baumann allowed 10 earned runs on nine hits and seven walks during 3 1/3 disastrous innings with the Mets this season prior to his designation. Evans, 25, has collected one hit in nine MLB plate appearances this year. Over a much larger sample size (165 PAs) at the Triple-A level this season, he has slashed .255/.321/.544 hitter with 12 home runs.
Blue Jays Claim Preston Guilmet, Designate Deck McGuire
The Blue Jays have claimed right-hander Preston Guilmet off waivers from the Cardinals, per an announcement from Toronto. To make room for Guilmet, the Jays designated righty Deck McGuire for assignment.
This will be Guilmet’s second stint with the Toronto organization, as he previously tossed 14 1/3 innings with its Triple-A affiliate in 2015. The 30-year-old has combined for 260 1/3 innings at Triple-A with multiple franchises and logged a 2.39 ERA with 10.0 K/9 against 1.9 BB/9. However, Guilmet hasn’t been anywhere near that successful across 25 major league frames (9.36 ERA, 7.92 K/9, 3.24 BB/9) with the Indians, Orioles, Brewers, Rays and Cardinals. He made a pair of appearances with St. Louis this week and yielded five earned runs in two innings, leading the Redbirds to designate him on Thursday.
The Jays selected McGuire 10th overall in the 2010 draft, and he has finally seen his first action with the club this season, allowing six earned runs in 8 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old – who, like Guilmet, is in his second stint with the Jays – also garnered a bit of experience in the majors with the Reds last season. Most of his work has come in the upper levels of the minors, including 334 frames at Triple-A, where he has registered a 4.99 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.
NL Injury Notes: Acuna, Cueto, Thames, Phils, Bucs, Rox
Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna is progressing in his recovery from a sprained left ACL, Mark Bowman of MLB.com explains, and could return as early as next weekend. The 20-year-old phenom, who went down May 27, would only miss around three weeks in that scenario. Acuna’s injury looked like a potential season-ender when it occurred, making his quick recovery all the more welcome for Atlanta. “What he’s doing right now is amazing after looking at what happened,” manager Brian Snitker said. “What he’s doing now is really good.”
More injury notes from around the NL…
- Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto is “cautiously optimistic” he’ll be able to come off the 60-day DL when he’s first eligible (June 30), Chris Haft of MLB.com writes. Cueto hasn’t pitched since suffering an elbow injury at the end of April, when he was among the majors’ best starters (0.84 ERA, 2.74 FIP in 32 innings). But even without Cueto and ace Madison Bumgarner, who just made his 2018 debut Tuesday after his own lengthy absence, the Giants have managed a 32-31 record to stay in the thick of what has been a mediocre NL West.
- The Brewers expect first baseman Eric Thames back at the beginning of the upcoming week, Joe Bloss of MLB.com relays. Thames landed on the DL on April 27 with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, derailing a start in which he slashed .250/.351/.625 with seven home runs in 74 plate appearances. Fellow first baseman Jesus Aguilar has been outstanding in Thames’ absence, however, with a .296/.369/.556 line and 11 homers in 187 PAs this year.
- Phillies pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez is headed to the DL with right elbow inflammation, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. The club doesn’t believe it’s a serious issue, however. The 19-year-old right-hander, Baseball America’s 16th-ranked prospect (subscription required), has logged a 2.51 ERA with 8.68 K/9 and 2.12 BB/9 in 46 2/3 innings at the High-A level this season. He was closing in on a Double-A promotion prior to the DL placement, according to Salisbury, but that’s now on hold.
- The Pirates have sent righty reliever Richard Rodriguez to the DL with shoulder inflammation, Elizabeth Bloom of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. The club recalled righty Dovydas Neverauskas from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Pittsburgh doesn’t expect Rodriguez to miss a significant amount of time, but even a short-term absence could hurt. The 28-year-old rookie has burst on the scene with a 2.38 ERA and 13.1 K/9 against 1.19 BB/9 in 22 2/3 innings this season.
- The Rockies placed lefty reliever Mike Dunn on the DL and recalled righty Jeff Hoffman from Triple-A on Friday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post tweets. Dunn’s dealing with an upper-body injury – a left rhomboid strain, to be exact. The DL placement continues what has been a trying second season in Colorado for Dunn, who inked a three-year, $19MM guarantee with the team entering 2017. So far in 2018, the 33-year-old has posted a 9.00 ERA with more walks than strikeouts (17 to 12) in 16 innings.