Atlanta Braves could find needed depth in designated players
By Fred Owens
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.
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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.
| Fastball | Curveball | Changeup | Command |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50/50 | 50/50 | 40/45 | 50/50 |
". . . 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.