The White Sox have acquired righty Anthony Ranaudo from the Rangers, according to an announcement from Texas VP of communications John Blake. Right-hander Matt Ball will go back in return.
Ranaudo, 26, was once regarded as a significant prospect with the Red Sox, but was dealt to Texas before the start of 2015. His star had already faded by that point, and he hasn’t done much to right the ship since.
Since going to the Rangers, Ranaudo has thrown 19 innings over which he’s allowed twenty earned runs with 13 strikeouts against 16 walks. His last outing, in particular, was an unmitigated disaster.
But Ranaudo could function in a swingman capacity if needed, and can be stashed in the minors since he is still optionable. And it’s fair to note that the big righty has been somewhat more useful at Triple-A. In his first three starts of 2016, he recorded 18 strikeouts over 13 1/3 innings, while issuing only four free passes and surrendering six hits. And he contributed 118 frames of sturdy-but-unspectacular work at Round Rock last year as well.
Ball, 21, had been showing some promise at the Class A level after converting to a relief role this year following three years as a Rookie ball starter. Over 16 frames, he’s racked up a 24:5 K/BB ratio, though he has permitted eight earned runs as well. Ball was taken in the 11th round of the 2013 draft out of high school, and obviously has moved slowly since joining the Chicago organization.
