OC Register: Angels Offseason Options: Anonymous relievers galore

[AngelsWin.com]

(This is the final in a series of quick profiles on players who fit for the Angels to add over the winter. They are purely “informed speculation,” based on what we know about the Angels’ roster needs along with General Manager Billy Eppler’s preferences and history. Eppler’s actions in the past have made it clear that he believes relief pitchers can be uncovered without giving up much. So, for this entry, we are going to look at a few relievers who fit the mold for Eppler to attempt to acquire.)

BRAD WIECK, LHP, San Diego Padres

Wieck, 27, struck out 12 in his seven big-league innings, along with 12.3 strikeouts and 3.7 walks per nine innings in five minor-league seasons, with a 2.99 ERA. Wieck throws about 92 mph, so he doesn’t get much attention as a prospect. In the Padres’ loaded farm system, he’s not even in the top 30. He is, however, currently occupying a 40-man roster spot, so the Padres might want to make room for their better prospects by moving him.

DILLON MAPLES, RHP, Chicago Cubs

Maples, who will be 27 next season, has pitched 10-2/3 major-league innings over the past two seasons, with a 10.97 ERA. He does have 20 strikeouts in that time, though. He’s averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings over his entire minor-league career. One of his issues is he walks too many hitters: 6.1 per nine innings in the minors. He throws 97-98 mph. Maples is currently on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, but he doesn’t project to be part of their major-league bullpen. He has options for the next two years.

JACOB WEBB, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Webb, 25, is a product of Riverside Poly High. He’s never appeared in the majors, but last season, between the Braves’ Double-A and Triple-A teams, he had a 3.15 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. In his minor-league career, he has a 2.65 ERA with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Webb is not on the 40-man roster, but this year he is due to be added, or else he’d be subject to the Rule 5 draft. The Braves have a loaded system, so they might not have room for him on their 40-man roster. The Angels could try to swing a trade for him before the 40-man rosters are set later this month. That would be better than picking him in the Rule 5 draft, because then the Angels could option him. The Angels certainly have more room on their 40-man roster than the Braves for a pitcher like this.

BEN TAYLOR, RHP, Cleveland Indians

Taylor, who will be 26 next season, has 26 strikeouts in 23-1/3 major-league innings over the past two years with the Red Sox and Indians. He has a 2.83 ERA in four minor-league seasons, with 10.2 strikeouts and 2.3 walks per nine innings. He throws 94 mph. Taylor is on the Indians’ 40-man roster, and he has one year of options remaining.

STEPHEN TARPLEY, LHP, New York Yankees

Tarpley, who will be 26 next season, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the third round of the 2013 draft. He had pitched at USC before enrolling at Scottsdale Community College. Tarpley struck out 13 in his first nine big-league innings, this season. In his minor-league career, he’s logged a 2.92 ERA, with 8.5 strikeouts and 2.9 walks per nine innings. He is on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, and he still will have all three of his option years left. Normally, this is the type of pitcher teams like to keep around for inventory, but the Yankees have plenty of resources, so they would barely miss a pitcher who isn’t among their top 30 prospects.

JOSÉ RUIZ, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Ruiz, 24, was a catcher up until 2017, when the Padres moved him to the mound. They then placed him on waivers and the White Sox picked him up. Ruiz throws 96-97 mph. He’s pitched just 5-1/3 innings in the majors, with seven strikeouts. Despite still being relatively new to pitching, he has a career minor-league ERA of 3.95, with 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Ruiz is on Chicago’s 40-man roster, but perhaps they’d be interested in using his spot for someone else, since they have one of the top farm systems in baseball.

Previous players: C J.T. Realmuto, RHP Nate Eovaldi, RHP Sonny Gray, LHP Patrick Corbin, LHP CC Sabathia, UT Daniel Descalso, RHP Julio Teheran, LHP Gio Gonzalez, UT Marwin Gonzalez, LHP J.A. Happ, LHP Will Smith, 3B Mike Moustakas, OF Jon Jay, RHP Lance Lynn, RHP Kyle Gibson.

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[Glen]

I want Tarpley for the name and the Oakland-related posts it will inspire.