Atlanta Braves could find needed depth in designated players
November 20 is National Absurdity Day, created as a day to recall and note some of the entirely off the wall and ridiculous things in history. The Atlanta Braves didn’t take part, but it seems a couple of teams did as they cleared roster space by letting good players go in order to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft.
The Atlanta Braves faced a different situation; their roster had room for a few added prospects as Ben told us yesterday.
Players released or designated during the annual purge are usually fringe players or player past their prime. On occasion, a team designates an injured player because he’s arbitration eligible and they hope he’ll clear waivers so they can keep him.
The Atlanta Braves grabbed players like this during the rebuilding process, picking up Jacob Lindgren among others. This year a few players designated seemed out-of-place; good players with a solid record cut because of cost…yet while their cost equals pocket-change by baseball payroll standards.
A few of these players might add some of the depth the Braves lacked but the roster is full, and players would have to leave to make room for them. At least one of these players popped up in a rumor last year, so it’s worth looking at the good ones – or at least the ones I found it odd to see out of a job.
Notes on the whys and wherefores
MLB requires finalized rosters by midnight on November 20. This allows all teams to examine players not protected and decide who they want on their 25-man roster for the entire 2019 season.
Trades and signings continue as usual, but once teams set their roster, no Rule 5 eligible player can be added, even if a roster spot opens up because of a trade.
I doubt the Atlanta Braves draft anyone in the Major League portion of Rule 5. I expect them to draft heavily in the minor league portion to add depth, but that’s another post. I’ll post a Rule 5 procedures primer/refresher on Saturday.
Now let’s look at some interesting players. Most of at these players are out of options, that creates another issue but one that can wait until spring for resolution.
The “I didn’t see that coming” category
Three moves caught my eye in this rush.
- The Rockies designated first baseman Jordan Patterson
- The Rays designated first baseman C.J. Cron
- The Marlins designated Derek Dietrich
Unless you’re a Rockies fan, you probably don’t know Patterson. The Rockies drafted the big first baseman back in 2013. Since that time in full-season ball he’s never posted an OPS under .790, never hit less than ten home runs and only once did he hit less than 23 doubles.
He had a cup of coffee in Denver back in 2016 but since then called Albuquerque home. Before this season Fangraphs had him as the Rockies # 18 prospect.
Prospects Report
Team Rank: 18Overall Rank: NAReported: 2018 – UpdatedETA: 2019
In his last three seasons in AAA, Patterson hit .282/.363/.516/.879 with 66 home runs and 75 doubles. He’s strictly a first baseman/DH but a team that needed a bat – a first base bat – decided not to use him and are now letting him go.
I ask Ben for insight, and he suggested the presence of Ian Desmond may be a factor. He’s not a great fielder, but it’s odd in today’s game to let that kind of potential thump walk away He’s not alone, the Rays did the same thing with C.J. Cron.
Cron is gone
The Rays loved his 2+ fWAR, 122 wRC+, and 30 home run bat, but they let Cron walk away because he would earn $5.1M next season. In today’s game, $5.1M is pocket-change, particularly when that’s all it takes to add a two-win, 30 homer bat.
Like Patterson, Cron plays only first base, but he’s not a bad defender. One would think he’ll have a new home soon.
The player most interesting to the Atlanta Braves is Dietrich.
Dietrich designated – Do the Braves need him?
Today Miami did a very Marlin’s thing when they put the cherry on top of their Tuesday by designating Derek Dietrich. For six seasons Dietrich played everywhere the Marlins needed him and did it pretty well.
- 57 games at first base
- 188 games at second base
- 138 games at third base
- 152 games in left field
- one game in right
Like most utility men, Dietrich doesn’t have a standout defensive position; he plays average defense wherever he’s told to play.
In his six seasons with Miami, Dietrich hit .254/.335/.422/.787 with 60 homers, a .329 wOBA and 109 wRC+ in 2132 PA.
Related Story. Rule 5 options. light
He liked hitting against the Atlanta Braves a lot. In 227 PA he hit .255/.361/.422/.783 with seven homers and was particularly fond of Turner field where he hit .327/.435/.577/.1012 in 62 PA.
Today every team is looking for solid utility players, Dietrich won’t be out of work long. His left-handed bat and ability to play a lot so of positions seem to make him a nice complement to Charlie Culberson.
Dietrich is 29 years old and comes with team control through 2021. He earned $2.9M and should get about $4M in arbitration. If he becomes a free agent, that number will change.
The Fish made a few other calls that on the surface don’t seem unusual. Yet all struck me as strange for a team in their situation.
Marlins that spit the hook
The Miami Marlins minor league system is pretty bad – no, really, it’s pathetic. That’s why I found it odd that they jettisoned the next three players Monday
Drafted in 2015, Dillon Peters made four AA appearances in 2016 and started 2017 in AA, they sent him to rookie ball then A+ ball for a few rehab starts in July and after six starts in August called him to Miami.
Considering his age and lack of experience, September 2017 wasn’t bad for the young lefty, and his last start consisted of 5 2/3 shutout innings against the Braves. Fangraphs had Peters as the Marlins #17 and a 50FV pitcher before 2018.
. . . worked efficiently for most of his . . . should throw enough strikes to start. . . . sinking fastball sites in the low 90s . . . an above-average curveball, and his arm action allows his otherwise below-average changeup to play up
Peters started 2018 with Miami, started five games and got hammered by the Cubs, Dodgers, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and the Phillies – another shock – and they sent him to AAA. Peters (26) takes two option years with him when he leaves. Peters may not be a stud but throwing him away seems a waste.
Not that Braxton
The Fish also designated their #13 prospect going into the season, outfielder Braxton Lee. He played mostly in A+, AA, AAA this year but managed eight games in the Majors at age 23.
He’s not a slugger. He reminds many of Juan Pierre type who uses his speed to get on base and provide solid defense.
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
>Note that 70 run grade in the Fangraphs’ pre2016 scouting box above.
The player that caught my eye was another pitcher – rushed up and now, thrown away.
Marlins DFA Meyer
The Marlins drafted Ben Meyer in the 28th round in 2015. In 2017 he made 12 starts and eight relief appearances in high A ball, threw 82 innings with a 1.98 ERA and 0.934 WHIP. Fangraphs tagged Meyer as a future reliever last spring.
Ben Meyer, RHP – A low-slot righty who will touch 96, Meyer’s fastball/breaking-ball combination could play in relief, probably as a righty specialist.
Naturally, the Fish knew he was big league ready (that’s sarcasm folks) and jumped him to the Majors in 2018 where he got hammered. Shocking, I know!
Meyer (25) still holds two option years yet Miami can’t seem to find a place for him and today they Tuesday the designated him for assignment.
Meyer is clearly a reliever. In 307 minor league innings, he struck out 307 batters and walked 77 (3.99/1 K/BB), posted a 3.05 ERA, 1.150 WHIP. A team that gives him time to understand that 95 MPH fastball better and allows him to gain more minor league experience might find they have a useful reliever on their hands.
That’s a wrap
Fitting Dietrich and Meyer onto the roster could pretty easily be done. Meyer takes the spot held by Luke Jackson (or better yet Sam Freeman) and either Grant Dayton or Chad Sobotka move up to backfill that slot.
Dietrich takes Rio Ruiz’ place. Ruiz looks more like a 4A player every time we see him. He’s not the third baseman of the future and he hasn’t yet hit enough to stick.
Next. He just keeps coming back. dark
Right now, the Atlanta Braves are focusing on a catcher, corner outfielder, and a couple of pitchers. Eventually, more bench and minor league depth must come on board and a player like Dietrich might well be among them.