Promoted RHP Devan Watts from A+ Florida to AA Mississippi.
Placed A+ Florida LHP Chase Johnson-Mullins on the 7-day DL.
Demoted RHP Chad Sobotka from AA Mississippi to A+ Florida.
Demoted RHP Taylor Lewis from A+ Florida to A- Rome.
Promoted LHP Adam McCreery from A- Rome to A+ Florida.
Promoted LHP Oriel L. Caicedo from A- Rome to A+ Florida.
Activated A- Rome RHP Matt Custred from the 7-day DL.
Promoted RHP Devan Watts to AA Mississippi
Scouts won’t rave about Watts’ stuff, but it has been little consolation to Florida State League hitters this year. The 2016 17th round reliever earned his promotion by dominating opposing batters all year. In 26.2 IP, he has 34 Ks (11.5 K/9) and only 7 BBs (2.4 BB/9), with a 2.02 ERA, 2.26 FIP, and 3.04 DRA. Keep an eye on Watts now that he’s in the high minors. If he’s successful there, he could possibly find himself in the big leagues sometime in 2018.
Placed LHP Chase Johnson-Mullins on the 7-day DL
The 22-year old reliever has enjoyed an excellent season so far, boasting a 2.87 ERA, 1.52 DRA, and 9.8 K/9. The 6’8″, 270 lb southpaw has made strides this year limiting walks (13 in 31.1 IP). If that improvement is permanent, he’s a legit relief prospect thanks to a fantastic pair of mid-90’s fastballs (cutter / sinker). Hopefully the DL stint is a brief one.
Demoted RHP Chad Sobotka to A+ Florida
Sobotka was promoted aggressively, throwing just 17.2 IP in high-A last year before being promoted to AA. His first full season in AA hasn’t gone as well for the 2014 4th rounder, as Sobotka currently sports a 5.52 ERA. The reliever has gone from 12.2 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 in high-A to 6.7 and 5.5, respectively, in Mississippi. Something is off for the talented pitcher, so he’ll head to Florida to work it out.
Demoted RHP Taylor Lewis to A- Rome
Last year, the 2015 9th rounder was brilliant at both high-A and AA, but 2017 has been pretty rough. At the time of his demotion, Lewis had an 8.87 ERA. Lewis hasn’t exactly been that bad – a .431 BABIP is a culprit, but walks have ballooned from 1.6 per 9 to 5.4. Hopefully he can get his confidence and control back in Rome.
Promoted LHP Adam McCreery to A+ Florida
Somehow, McCreery is the 2nd 6’8″ southpaw to be mentioned in a single transaction roundup. Acquired for Jhoulys Chacin last year, McCreery still struggles a tad with his control, but with a 2.84 ERA (1.61 DRA) and 13.4 K/9, McCreery will help Florida ease the loss of Chase Johnson-Mullins.
Promoted LHP Oriel L. Caicedo to A+ Florida
After 2 1/2 years in Rome, Caicedo finally gets the call to high-A. He’s unlikely to make an impact at upper levels, but Caicedo has been a fairly reliable swingman. In 2017, he has a 3.20 ERA, 6.2 K/9, and 1.2 BB/9.
Activated A- Rome RHP Matt Custred from the 7-day DL
A 31st round pick in 2015 out of Texas Tech, Custred prefers to leave the fielders out of it, issuing strikeouts and walks a-plenty. He’ll try to keep up the former while cutting the latter now that he’s back.
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