Update on the Atlanta Braves investigation, roster changes, and trades
By Fred Owens
Braves acquire reliever Josh Ravin from the Dodgers for cash considerations https://t.co/guMCLjlsKt pic.twitter.com/28SyX68j7M
— Battery Power (@BatteryPowerSBN) November 21, 2017
Josh Ravin
Like Dayton, Josh Ravin is a 29 years old former Dodger. However, while Dayton played ball for Auburn, Ravin toiled in the minors. The Reds selected him in 5th round of the 2006 draft and BA named him the Reds #13 prospect after that season. The next time his name and prospect appeared on a list came after the 2012 season when BA made him the Reds #31 prospect BA had this to say about Ravin at that time
"“. . .Everyone else from the Reds’ 2006 draft class has either made the majors or has moved on, but Ravin keeps plugging away . . .(he) earned a spot on the 40-man roster after (a season) when he walked more than seven batters per nine. . .(his fastball sat at) 96-98 mph, touching 100 in the Arizona Fall League. . . His control problems (are due to) inconsistent delivery. . .he can’t repeat it or maintain a consistent release point, the strike zone jumps around on him . ."
Moving to the pen in 2013 didn’t help. Ravin posted high ERAs and BB/9 rates all season. The Reds gave up and out him on waivers where the Brewers claimed him, only to release him two months later. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers that December.
Dayton had better luck with the Dodgers AA team in 2014; 3.07 ERA, 4.3 walks/9. He was still okay when they jumped him to AAA where both his ERA (4.22) and walks (5.9/9) went up. The PCL is a hitters league so that’s no shock; he even got a cup of coffee in LA twice that year.
Ravin broke his arm in an automobile accident during the offseason and on May 2, 2016 MLB suspended him for PED use. He returned in July and eventually rejoined the Dodgers, threw 9 2/3 innings in 10 appearance with a 0.93 ERA. Don’t get excited, there was no miracle turnaround.
The small sample size caveat applies in spades here. In 2017 he made just 14 major league appearances posting a 6.48ER. So, why do teams keep signing him? He strikes people out, lost of people.
Ravin’s career AAA K/9 ratio is 11.9 per 9. His major league ratio is 11.1 per 9. When pitchers consistently strike out a lot of hitters, pitching coaches and front offices always think they can fix the problem and find a cheap closer.