Rays Signal Jake Brentz To Minor League Deal

The Rays signed the left-hander Jake Printz to a minor league deal, in line with a transaction tracker on his website MLB.com player profile page. The deal is meant to incorporate an invite to big-league spring coaching.

Brentz, 30, was chosen within the eleventh spherical by the Blue Jays in 2013. He was subsequently traded to the Mariners and Pirates early in his minor league profession earlier than being launched by Pittsburgh in 2019 after struggling On the Triple-A stage. The Royals took an opportunity on the southpaw and signed him to a minor league deal, although he solely obtained 5 1/3 innings of labor for the membership in Double-A earlier than the tip of the season arrived. His first full season as a Royals was postponed because of the cancellation of the minor league season in 2020, however he remained a fixture within the Royals’ orbit as a participant taking part in at their alternate place through the 60-game MLB season.

He discovered sufficient success between his time on the alternate website and subsequent spring coaching that he earned a spot within the Royals’ Opening Day recreation regardless of by no means pitching in Triple-A as a member of the group. That did not cease Brentz from making a stable first impression within the majors, as he pitched to a stable 3.66 ERA in 64 innings of labor throughout 72 video games because the Royals’ high lefty aid possibility. The lefty’s 13.3% stroll fee stored him from changing into a really particular possibility, however the mixture of a 27.3% strikeout fee, a 49% floor ball fee, and a 97 mph heater from the left facet made Printz, then… 26 years previous, very attacking. An attention-grabbing alternative who stood out to be a key member of the Royal Reduction Corps for years to come back.

Sadly, that didn’t occur. As an alternative, Printz solely managed 5 1/3 bullpen innings in 2022 as he surrendered 15 runs (14 earned) whereas strolling ten and hanging out simply 9. Provided that disastrous efficiency, it was no shock when Printz ultimately required surgical procedure to rebuild his Champions League later within the season. Printz’s predicament led the Royals to non-tender him in November, however they ultimately re-signed him to a two-year main league deal that assured him $1.9 million. Sadly, Printz noticed his 2023 worn out by a mix of rehab from elbow surgical procedure the earlier yr and subsequent fatigue.

Printz was additional slowed in his return this yr on account of a hamstring pressure in March, and he seemed very rusty when he lastly returned to the mound. In 30 innings of labor between Double and Triple-A this yr, Brentz posted a monster 11.40 ERA in 30 innings. He struck out simply 18% of opponents whereas strolling 29% and struck out one other 7.9% of opponents on pitches. This entire lack of management got here as no shock when the Royals elected to designate Printz for project to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, and he in the end elected free company after the season in quest of alternatives elsewhere.

Now he has discovered one with the Rays, who’re broadly thought of among the many finest organizations in baseball for growing pitchers. The match between the 2 sides is pretty apparent, as Brentz could have the chance to get his profession again on observe in a development-focused group whereas the Rays could have the chance to assist out a once-excellent lefty with apparent potential that additionally makes him an thrilling starter for the Royals in 2021.