(*) CALL-UPS: April 26-May 2, 2016

Photo: Tim Adleman (RHP, CIN)

Contributing writers: Jeremy Deloney (JD), Chris Mallonee (CM), Nick Richards (NR) and Matthew St-Germain (MSG).

May 2, 2016

Tim Adleman (RHP, CIN)
In need of a starter because of an injury to RHP Raisel Iglesias, the Reds looked to Triple-A Louisville and summoned the 28-year-old Adleman. The tall, strong righty isn’t a top prospect by any means, but carries with him a solid story of perseverance. He originally was a 24th-round pick in the 2010 draft by the Orioles before earning his release after the 2011 season. Adleman then signed with an independent league team and resurrected his pro career after two quality seasons. He signed with the Reds prior to the 2014 season. Mostly a reliever until 2015, he works off his solid-average 88-94 mph fastball that exhibits late life. His tall frame (6’5”) and high arm slot give him a downward plane for his pitches. Adleman’s remaining offerings include a fringy curveball and below-average change-up. He lacks a swing-and-miss pitch in his arsenal and he isn’t particularly strong at sequencing. He’ll likely only be in the majors for one or two starts, but could eventually pitch out of the bullpen if needed. (JD)
2015 STATS: Pensacola (AA) – 26 gs, 9-10 2.64 ERA, 150 IP, 2.3 Cmd, 2.9 Ctl, 6.8 Dom, 7 HR, .243 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Spot starter
POTENTIAL: #5 starter / Middle reliever
RATING: 6D

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May 1, 2016

Colton Murray (RHP, PHI)
The Phillies needed a bullpen arm after placing RHP Dalier Hinojosa on the DL and they recalled Murray from Triple-A. The 26-year-old was a September call-up in 2015 after a solid season between Double-A and Triple-A. He lacks ideal size for a late-innings reliever, but he’s proven durable and owns a loose, live arm that generates easy velocity. His fastball sits between 90-95 mph and it exhibits late life, making it difficult to elevate. Murray induces weak contact with his fastball, but it is his curveball that has evolved into a true strikeout offering. It features late drop and it has gained consistency over the past two seasons. His command comes and goes and needs to improve in order to win a more prominent role in the Phillies bullpen. Murray has a career 3.19 ERA, 3.5 Ctl, and 9.2 Dom in the minors, almost exclusively as a reliever. (JD)
2015 STATS: Philadelphia (NL) – 8 g, 0-1 5.87 ERA, 7.2 IP, 2 BB, 9 K, 2 HR, .314 oppBA
Lehigh Valley (AAA) – 31 g, 2-2 2.79 ERA, 42 IP, 2.0 Cmd, 4.5 Ctl, 8.8 Dom, 2 HR, .164 oppBA
Reading (AA) – 21 g, 6-1 2.52 ERA, 35.2 IP, 3.6 Cmd, 2.5 Ctl, 9.1 Dom, 1 HR, .230 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 7D

David Goforth (RHP, MIL)
The Brewers recalled the short, strong reliever after sending RHP Taylor Jungmann to the minors. Goforth made it to the majors for the first time in 2015 and pitched quality innings. He was drafted and developed as a starter before Milwaukee converted him to a reliever in mid-2013. He throws hard and lives in the 93-96 mph range in short stints. On the downside, his fastball is relatively straight and lacks late movement. He complements it with a hard slider that gets groundballs. He’ll mix in a curveball at times, but it is a below-average offering. Because of his fringe-average command and he doesn’t miss as many bats as his velocity suggests, his upside is limited. On the other hand, his groundball-inducing ways and hard slider could eventually lead him to a setup role. Goforth has closing experience in the minors as well. He owns a career 3.86 ERA, 3.7 Ctl, and 6.5 Dom in the minors. (JD)
2015 STATS: Milwaukee (NL) – 20 g, 1-0 4.01 ERA, 24.2 IP, 3.0 Cmd, 2.9 Ctl, 8.8 Dom, 4 HR, .323 oppBA
Colorado Springs (AAA) – 38 g, 0-4 2.68 ERA, 47 IP, 1.3 Cmd, 5.2 Ctl, 6.5 Dom, 2 HR, .217 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever – may return to minors when starter is needed
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7C

Zac Curtis (LHP, ARI)
In search of a consistent left-handed reliever, the Diamondbacks dipped all the way down to High-A to find Curtis, a 23-year-old lefty who pitches with an aggressive nature. He was a sixth-round pick in 2014 and has spent his pro career in the bullpen. He served as a closer in Low-A in 2015 and was as dominant as any pitcher in the Midwest League. His delivery and hard, stingy slider make him particularly potent against left-handed hitters and he has enough velocity to keep righties honest. His fastball can touch 93 mph, but generally works between 89-92 mph. He has dominant tendencies and doesn’t let his size (5’9”) hinder him in any way. Curtis’ plus slider has dynamic action and he’ll need to continue to stay ahead of hitters to get them to chase it out of the zone. He’ll mix in an occasional change-up and curveball, but he’s still mostly a two-pitch guy. In 91.1 career innings, he’s posted a 1.68 ERA, 2.9 Ctl, and 13.7 Dom. (JD)
2015 STATS: Kane County (A-) – 53 g, 4-4 1.33 ERA, 33 sv, 54 IP, 6.3 Cmd, 2.0 Ctl, 12.5 Dom, 2 HR, .176 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Situational reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 6B

 

April 30, 2016

No call-ups.

 

April 29, 2016

Sean Manaea (LHP, OAK)
With his manager saying he expects him to be up "for the long haul," Oakland called up 24-year-old Sean Manaea to make his major league debut. The former 2013 first-rounder needed very little time to climb the minors, going from Rookie ball to High-A to Double-A last year. Now he has 18 IP in Triple-A this year where he put up a 21-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio facing 73 batters in three games started. Oakland's No. 2 prospect this year, and the overall No. 78 in the BaseballHQ Top 100 list, Manaea is a 6'5", 245-pound lefty with a plus fastball that he throws on a downhill plane. He is especially dominant when he can repeat his delivery, but he needs more work on his consistency. His slider has the potential to be plus, too, but his change-up is fringy for now. He was making short work of the Pacific Coast League batters who were hitting just .232 against him while he had a Dom of 10.5 and Ctl of 2.0. His career hr/9 mark is just 0.5, so that shouldn't be an issue for him. His ceiling is high, but he needs to further develop that third pitch and to be more consistent with his slider in order to reach that ceiling. In just over two minor league seasons, his ERA is 2.82 with a 1.257 WHIP and a Cmd of 3.1 in 214.0 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Midland (AA) – 7g, 7gs, 6-0, 2.32 ERA, 42.2 IP, 3.2 Ctl, 3.4 Cmd, 10.8 Dom, 3 HR, .218 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: #5 Starter
POTENTIAL: #3 Starter
RATING: 8B

Michael Fulmer (RHP, DET)
With Shane Greene unable to make his next start, the Tigers called up their No. 1 prospect, Michael Fulmer. Fulmer, No. 100 in BaseballHQ's Top 100 list, is a 6'3", 210-pound right-hander. He throws a plus, mid-90s mph sinking fastball, a hard slider which can play up, and an improving change-up and occasional soft curve. He doesn't quite have the stuff to be a No. 1 pitcher, but he can be a nice mid-rotation starter for the team. He might not be up for good this time, but he has a good chance to become a solid No. 3 starter. So far in 2016 in Triple-A, he has a nice 4.0 Cmd in 15.1 IP, but it is a bit concerning to see three HRs already. He has also dealt with health injuries in his career (including elbow issues that cut short his 2014 season). When healthy, he has been a solid performer who is improving his command and has solid mound presence. He was included in the April 17th WATCHLIST article with nice background information. In six seasons his ERA is 3.21 with a 1.261 WHIP and a Cmd of 3.0 in 398.0 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Erie (AA) – 6g, 6gs, 4-1, 2.84 ERA, 31.2 IP, 2.0 Ctl, 4.7 Cmd, 9.0 Dom, 4 HR, .231 oppBA
2015 STATS: Binghamton (AA) – 15g, 15gs, 6-2, 1.88 ERA, 86.0 IP, 2.4 Ctl, 3.6 Cmd, 8.7 Dom, 3 HR, .227 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: #5 Starter
POTENTIAL: #3 Starter
RATING: 8C

 

April 28, 2016

Sammy Solís (LHP, WAS)
The Nationals recalled the 27-year-old from Triple-A after placing Matt Belisle on the disabled list. Solis likely will be available in low-leverage situations. He’s a big-framed pitcher who was mostly a starter until a variety of injuries derailed his career. He missed all of 2012 because of Tommy John surgery and then missed much of 2013 and 2014 for other arm and elbow ailments. Despite the setbacks, Solis made it to the majors in 2015 and pitched in 18 games out of the bullpen. He’s armed with three pitches—a 92-95 mph fastball that touches 97 in short stints, an average curveball and decent change-up. Though he may not profile as a high strikeout guy, he can blow the ball by hitters and he keeps the walks to a minimum. When he’s at his best, he locates his fastball in the bottom half of the strike zone. Solis has a career 3.36 ERA, 2.4 Ctl, and 8.1 Dom in the minors. (JD)
2015 STATS: Washington (NL) – 18 g, 1-1 3.38 ERA, 21.1 IP, 4.3 Cmd, 1.7 Ctl, 7.2 Dom, 2 HR, .291 oppBA
Syracuse (AAA) – 9 g, 0-0 2.03 ERA, 13.1 IP, 5 BB, 11 K, .178 oppBA
Harrisburg (AA) – 11 g, 1 gs, 0-3 6.75 ERA, 13.1 IP, 5 BB, 11 K, .345 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: #5 starter / Setup reliever
RATING: 7E

 

April 27, 2016

José Berríos (RHP, MIN)
The Twins have recalled the 21-year-old from Triple-A after placing both Ervin Santana and Kyle Gibson on the disabled list. Berrios will make his major league debut with a start on Wednesday, April 27. It is very possible that he’ll be in the rotation for the rest of the season. Berrios is off to a very good start in 2016 – 1.06 ERA and 20 K in 17 innings covering three starts. What he lacks in size (6’0” 185 pounds), he makes up for in athleticism and above average velocity. His fastball sits between 91-96 mph and tops out at 97. It is certainly quick, however, it sometimes comes out flat. Given his size, that could become problematic. His other pitches consist of a very good breaking ball and above average change-up. He keeps hitters off-balance with his deceptive change-up which plays up due to his ability to repeat his athletic delivery and consistent arm slot. Berrios sequences his offerings very well and misses many bats as a result. His control has continued to improve through the years and his command is advanced for his age. Berrios has a career 2.91 ERA, 2.5 Ctl, and 9.5 Dom in the minors since he was a supplemental first round pick in 2012. (JD)
2015 STATS: Rochester (AAA) – 12 gs, 6-2 2.62 ERA, 75.2 IP, 6.0 Cmd, 1.7 Ctl, 9.9 Dom, 6 HR, .212 oppBA
Chattanooga (AA) – 15 gs, 8-3 3.08 ERA, 90.2 IP, 3.8 Cmd, 2.4 Ctl, 9.1 Dom, 6 HR, .232 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Starter
POTENTIAL: #2-3 starter
RATING: 8B

Pedro Severino (C, WAS)
After Wilson Ramos was placed on the bereavement list, the Nationals summoned the 22-year-old Severino from Triple-A to serve as a backup catcher. The right-handed hitter was a September call-up in 2015 after a solid season in Double-A. He was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2010 and has excelled with the glove ever since. He’s an athletic and agile backstop who shines behind the plate with advanced receiving skills plus a rocket arm and quick release. Severino is known as a good framer and could be an asset in the big leagues now. However, he still struggles with the bat as poor pitch recognition and below average bat speed sap his offensive upside. He offers some power, mostly to the pull side, but he simply doesn’t yet have the offensive acumen to have much value. The hope is that he evolves to the point where he won’t be a liability in the big league lineup. Severino has a career line of .237/.287/.336 in the minors with a high of 9 HR in 2014. (JD)
2015 STATS: Washington (NL) – 4 AB, 1 hit, 1 K
Harrisburg (AA) – 329 AB, .246/.288/.331, 13 2b, 5 HR, 0.37 Eye, 1 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Backup catcher for a few games, then will return to minors
POTENTIAL: Starting catcher
RATING: 7C
 

April 26, 2016

Alex Meyer (RHP, MIN)
Needing extra arms in a tired bullpen, the Twins called up 26-year-old Alex Meyer to serve as a long relief man. Meyer, the #9 prospect for Minnesota, is a starter turned bullpen arm turned starter again this year and now will temporarily be put back in the bullpen. He did make a brief appearance with the Twins last year where results were not good. Meyer has always had talent, with a plus fastball that reaches the triple digits, coupled with a dominating, plus curve. But at 6'9" and 225 pounds, he has trouble repeating his mechanics, and his third pitch hasn't progressed as hoped. So while it is still possible he could develop his change-up, a path in the bullpen might allow him to play up that dynamite fastball/curveball combo into a closer role someday. His elevated Ctl rate wouldn't be as much of a problem in the bullpen either. For now, that is where he will help out for the Twins. In five minor league seasons his ERA is 3.40 with a 1.309 WHIP and a Cmd of 2.7 in 447.0 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Rochester (AAA) – 38g, 8gs, 4-5, 4.79 ERA, 92.0 IP, 4.7Ctl, 2.1 Cmd, 9.8 Dom, 4 HR, .281 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: #3 Starter/Closer
RATING: 8D

Michael Feliz (RHP, HOU)
Returning to the Houston pen after being sent down a couple of weeks ago, Michael Feliz will try to improve on his earlier 4.1 IP for the Astros. The 6'4", 230-pound right-hander is just 22 years old and Houston's #5 prospect for 2016, so the fact that his change-up hasn't developed yet is not too worrisome. He needs that to reach his ceiling as a #3 SP, but if it never develops as hoped, his plus mid-90s fastball with late movement and his solid slider could lead him to dominating in the bullpen. He has a clean, quick delivery with a bit of deception. His control needed to improve, and it has, and his career Cmd of 3.1 shows that he can be successful in either role. The key to starting will be his change-up improving, and that is what the Astros hope will happen. In the meantime, more arms are needed in the pen, so that is where he will go. In seven seasons his ERA is 3.38 with a 1.189 WHIP and a Cmd of 3.1 in 418.2 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Corpus Christi (AA) – 15g, 12gs, 6-3, 2.17 ERA, 78.2 IP, 2.3 Ctl, 3.5 Cmd, 8.0 Dom, 5 HR, .185 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: 3 Starter/Closer
RATING: 8C

Jose Valdez (RHP, DET)
Replacing Matt Boyd in the bullpen will be Jose Valdez. Valdez is a 26-year-old right-hander who was hoping to make the team out of spring training, but gave up 12 hits in 6.1 IP. He did appear in 9 innings for Detroit in 2015. He is a 6'1", 200-pound pitcher who has seen his strikeout rate fall as he has climbed the minor league ladder, while his walk rate shows no sign of improvement. He has a good mid-90s fastball with a nice angle, but he shows so little command with his long arm action that his WHIP is usually ugly. He has a max-effort delivery that tends to lead to overthrowing. His slider can be plus at times, but not against LHH who can hit him hard. His career strikeout mark (9.8) is influenced by his earlier years in the low minors. His Triple-A strikeout rate has sunk down to 6.9, but with a walk rate of 6.0 we can see the problem. He will have to cut down on those walks to have any sustained success. In eight seasons his ERA is 3.22 with a 1.386 WHIP and a Cmd of 1.8 in 262.2 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Toledo (AAA) – 43g, 0gs, 4-5, 3.32 ERA, 57.0 IP, 6.0 Ctl, 1.1 Cmd, 6.8 Dom, 3 HR, .239 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D

Andrew Triggs (RHP, OAK)
Sending down Erick Surkamp, and not needing a fifth starter on the roster until late this week, the A's called upon 27-year-old Andrew Triggs to make his major league debut out of the bullpen. Triggs was acquired from Baltimore during spring training, and he was sent to Nashville in the Pacific Coast League where he has struck out 9 of the 33 batters he faced while walking only 3. Triggs throws from a low three-quarters arm delivery and gets ground balls almost three times as much as fly balls. The 6'4", 220-pound Triggs might not be a very hard thrower (a four-seam fastball that reaches the low-90s mph), but batters do not get much off him, with a minors career batting average against of only .218 and a cumulative WHIP of only 1.037. In addition to his two-seam and four-seam fastballs, he throws a cut fastball, a slider and a changeup. With good control and solid strikeout rates, Triggs could serve admirably in middle relief. He is likely only up for a few days this time, but he should be back, and he should be a nice arm to get out RHH in the middle innings. In five seasons his ERA is 2.11 with a 1.037 WHIP and a Cmd of 4.5 in 243.0 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Bowie (AA) – 43g, 0gs, 0-2, 1.03 ERA, 61.0 IP, 1.6 Ctl, 6.4 Cmd, 10.3 Dom, 0 HR, .196 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 6D

Mayckol Guaipe (RHP, SEA)
After putting Joaquín Benoit on the DL, the Mariners called up 25-year-old Mayckol Guaipe to join their bullpen. Mayckol was hit hard in his 26 IP last year in Seattle, but he has put up solid numbers in Tacoma including his 8.1 IP so far this year where he struck out 6 of the 30 batters he faced while walking only two. Guaipe is 6'4" and weighs 235 pounds, and he has good arm strength and a nice fastball/slider combo. The fastball sits in the low-90s, but he commands it well with a smooth delivery. He lacks an offspeed pitch, and LHH can hit him hard at times. His career 6.9 Dom could be better, and would lead to more success at the major league level. It has taken him a long time to reach the major leagues, but now that he has been here a bit, he could find success against RHH out of the bullpen. In ten seasons his ERA is 3.46 with a 1.283 WHIP and a Cmd of 2.4 in 450.1 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Seattle (MLB) – 21g, 0gs, 0-3, 5.40 ERA, 26.2 IP, 4.4 Ctl, 1.7 Cmd, 7.4 Dom, 5 HR, .330 oppBA
2015 STATS: Tacoma (AAA) – 38g, 0gs, 0-4, 2.87 ERA, 47.0 IP, 1.9 Ctl, 3.6 Cmd, 6.9 Dom, 3 HR, .269 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 6B

Layne Somsen (RHP, CIN)
With Jay Bruce going on paternity leave, the Reds called up 26-year-old Layne Somsen to their bullpen where he will make his major league debut. The right-hander has a low-90s mph fastball with a good cutting action. He works in a low-80s curveball that can be plus at times, along with a decent changeup. Standing 6'0, 190-pounds, watching Somsen pitch reminds some observers of similarly sized Tim Lincecum. Somsen says that's just coincidence, but acknowledges the resemblance to his pitching motion. Somsen can walk too many batters, though so far in 2016 he has both improved that and increased his strikeout rate by fanning 11 of the 33 batters he has faced while walking only 3. He might be up only briefly this time, but a career strikeout rate of 9.1 means he just needs to keep improving his control to have a place in a big-league bullpen. In his minors career, batters have hit only .213 against him. In four seasons his ERA is 2.49 with a 1.154 WHIP and a Cmd of 2.6 in 173.1 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Louisville (AAA) – 9g, 0gs, 0-1, 3.03 ERA, 29.2 IP, 4.2 Ctl, 2.1 Cmd, 8.8 Dom, 0 HR, .220 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Situational reliever
RATING: 6C

Keith Hessler (LHP, ARI)
After sorely taxing their bullpen, the Diamondbacks called up 27-year-old Keith Hessler to help out. Hessler was up last year for 12 innings where he put up decent skill numbers other than extra HRs, even if his surface numbers were ugly. The 6'4" Hessler weighs 240 pounds, using his tall, durable frame to get good extension in his delivery. He throws a variety of pitches, with a low-90s mph fastball, a slow curveball he can get strikeouts with, a cutter and a change-up. He has also changed into a groundball pitcher in recent years, and with improving control and always good strikeout rates, he could be a decent situational lefty out of the bullpen. In six seasons his ERA is 4.12 with a 1.452 WHIP and a Cmd of 2.5 in 397.1 IP. (NR)
2015 STATS: Arizona (MLB) – 18g, 0gs, 0-1, 8.03 ERA, 12.1 IP, 2.9 Ctl, 3.0 Cmd, 8.8 Dom, 4 HR, .302 oppBA
2015 STATS: Reno (AAA) – 17g, 0gs, 1-1, 5.68 ERA, 19.0 IP, 3.8 Ctl, 1.6 Cmd, 6.2 Dom, 3 HR, .212 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Situational reliever
RATING: 6D

 

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