The Rays introduced that they’ve claimed right-hander Joel Kuhnel off waivers from the Brewers. Milwaukee designated him for project a few days in the past. The Rays already had three vacancies on their 40-man roster, so their depend climbs to 38.
Kuhnel, 29, has been featured within the pages of MLB Commerce Rumors loads of occasions this yr however hasn’t been capable of issue into many MLB video games. He began 2024 on the Astros’ roster however was designated for project, outrighted and elected free company earlier than re-signing with Houston on a minor league deal by the top of January. He was chosen again onto their roster in April however then designated for project once more later that month.
He then went to the Blue Jays in a money deal however that membership stored him on non-obligatory project for just a few weeks earlier than he was designated for project and elected free company as soon as once more. He landed with the Brewers on a minor league deal and was twice chosen to that membership’s roster however each stints resulted in him being designated for project with out him pitching in a sport.
Round all of these transactions, he solely has one look within the massive leagues this yr, when he allowed 4 earned runs in two innings for the Astros. However in his 27 1/3 minor league innings, he has a 2.30 earned run common. His 15% strikeout fee is subpar however he’s racked up big numbers of floor balls.
That’s typically been the recipe for Kuhnel in his profession. He has 85 2/3 massive league innings general, most of that with the Reds. His 6.30 ERA in that point clearly isn’t nice, neither is his 19% strikeout fee, however he has stored 52.2% of balls in play on the bottom and has clearly attracted the eye of a number of golf equipment across the league.
The Rays have a bunch of open roster spots proper now. Prior to now month, they’ve traded Aaron Civale and Phil Maton. In addition they designated Chris Devenski for project and put Yandy Díaz on the restricted listing resulting from an undisclosed private matter. Tyler Zuber was chosen to take a kind of spots however they nonetheless had three out there and have now used one in every of them on Kuhnel.
Kuhnel averages within the mid-90s with each of his fastballs and likewise throws a slider and a changeup. Provided that velocity and pitch combine, maybe golf equipment across the league consider there’s room to coax some extra strikeouts out of him, along with his floor ball tendencies. He’s additionally in his remaining choice yr and may subsequently be despatched to the minors for the remainder of this season. His service time depend is between one and two years, so he might be a long-term piece if issues break proper.
