Rays Bolster Bullpen with Eisert Acquisition
The Tampa Bay Rays have beefed up their left-handed pitching depth by acquiring Brandon Eisert from the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal, confirmed by both clubs, sees the Rays part with cash considerations in exchange for Eisert.
This move presented a seamless opportunity for the Rays,who had an open spot on their 40-man roster and thus didn’t require a corresponding transaction too facilitate the trade.
at 27 years old,Eisert embarks on his second stint in the major Leagues.Initially drafted by the Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2019 draft, he made his big league debut last season. While his Major League experience is limited, having pitched 6 2/3 innings and surrendered three earned runs for the Blue Jays in 2022, the Rays are likely intrigued by Eisert’s remarkable minor league track record.
Over the past four years, Eisert has amassed 264 2/3 innings across various minor league levels, showcasing a solid 3.76 ERA, a remarkable 29.1% strikeout rate, and a manageable 7.7% walk rate.
Despite these promising minor league statistics, Eisert’s fastball velocity, averaging 91.2 mph in his brief Major League appearance and 90.2 mph in Triple-A last year, might be a factor the Rays will consider. In today’s game,power arms are highly sought after in relief pitching.Perhaps the Blue Jays recognized this and anticipated that eisert’s velocity wouldn’t translate to consistent success at the Major League level.
With an open roster spot, the Rays view this acquisition as an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate Eisert’s potential. His remaining options provide flexibility, making him a particularly enticing addition for a team like Tampa Bay, known for it’s dynamic roster management and player movement throughout the season.
Garrett Cleavinger currently reigns as the top left-handed reliever for the Rays. Mason montgomery received some exposure to the Major League bullpen last season, but his primary role has been as a starting pitcher in the minors. Eisert and Montgomery sharing time as the second left-handed reliever behind Cleavinger, while fluctuating between the Majors and Triple-A, seems to be a likely scenario for the Rays.
Rays Acquire Brandon Eisert: Could He Be the next Bullpen Gem?
The Tampa Bay Rays are known for their ability to unearth hidden talent and mold it into solid contributors. Their latest move, acquiring left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert from the Toronto Blue Jays, has the potential to add another chapter to their success story. Eisert, with a history of strong strikeout rates in the minors, presents an intriguing opportunity for the Rays to bolster their already formidable bullpen.
Veteran MLB analyst Dan O’Reilly sheds light on Eisert’s potential impact. “Absolutely,” O’reilly says. “Eisert has put up solid numbers in the minors, showcasing a strong strikeout rate and a manageable walk rate. Those are definitely encouraging signs for a reliever, especially in today’s game where strikeouts are so valuable.”
However,Eisert’s brief stint in the majors last year presented some challenges. “His fastball velocity hasn’t been as overpowering as some other successful relievers,” O’Reilly acknowledges.“That’s definitely a question mark.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his major league performance, the rays are undoubtedly aware of Eisert’s potential. With roster spots available, they have the luxury of taking a patient approach and allowing him to develop without immense pressure. “The Rays are clearly willing to give him a chance, and with open roster spots, they have the luxury of evaluating him without immense pressure,” O’Reilly explains.
The Rays boast a deep bullpen,making Eisert’s role and integration a point of interest. “Garrett Cleavinger is their established left-handed reliever, so Eisert could perhaps share time as the second LOOGY (left-on-left specialist),” O’Reilly suggests. “Mason Montgomery is another lefty who could be in the mix as well, but he seems to be more of a starter prospect at this stage.”
Ultimately,Eisert’s success hinges on his ability to command his pitches and utilize his secondary offerings effectively at the major league level.”The key question for Eisert will be whether he can consistently command his pitches and utilize his secondary offerings more effectively at the major league level,” O’Reilly concludes.
Given the Rays’ established track record of player advancement, Eisert’s arrival carries a sense of excitement. Could he be the next success story in their pipeline? Only time will tell, but the foundation is certainly there.
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