In one of the more memorable trade deadlines in team history, the Orioles completed two multi-prospect deals within the final 30 minutes of the deadline.
Deal number one sends Kevin Gausman and injured reliever Darren O’Day to the Atlanta Braves. Including O’Day in the deal allows the O’s to offload $12 Million in salary remaining on his contract.
In return, the Orioles picked up the following prospects: corner infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion, catcher Brett Cumberland, righty Evan Phillips, and lefty Bruce Zimmermann, a Baltimore native who pitched in high school at Loyola Blakefield.
There’s $2.5MM of international bonus money coming back to Baltimore too.
Deal number two sends Jonathan Schoop to the Milwaukee Brewers.
In return, the Orioles picked up the following prospects: second baseman Jonathan Villar, righty Luis Ortiz, and shortstop Jean Carmona.
Quick Breakdown of the players from the Brewers
- Jonathan Villar – Villar is an MLB veteran, 27 years old, middle infielder, career slash line of .256/.324/.394 over six seasons. Two years removed from slashing .285/.369/.457 with 19 HR and 62 stolen bases. This year, in super utility role has slashed .261/.317/.377 over 279 PA with 6 HR and 14 stolen bases. Controllable through end of 2020 season and earning $2.45 Million this year.
- Luis Ortiz – (no. 7 MLB.com) – 22 year old right handed starting pitcher, former 1st rounder in 2014, pitched to 3.71 ERA at AA over 68 innings, with 18 BB, 65 K, .240 average. Throws 92-97 mph, above average slider, average change. Profiles as no. 3 starter if it all comes together. Conditioning a possible concern with his pudgy 6’3″, 230 pound frame. But, hey Bartolo makes it work so maybe he can too.
- Jean Carmona – (no. 14 MLB.com) – Raw, 18 year old shortstop in rookie ball, athletic switch-hitter with arm strength to stay up the middle, batting .239/.298/.406 over 155 AB with 3 HR, 13 BB, 45 K. Lot of upside but long way away.
Quick Breakdown of the prospects from the Braves:
- Jean Carlos Encarnacion (no. 14 MLB.com, no. 16 Talking Chop mid-season update) – 20 year old third baseman, lot’s of projection, slashing .288/.314/.463 at Low A with 10 HR, 13 BB, 100 K over 361 AB. K/BB ratio a concern but is athletic with some power upside.
- Brett Cumberland (no. 30 MLB.com, no. 21 Talking Chop mid-season update) – 23 year old catcher, lots of power and on base capability, questionable hit tool, slashing .236/.367/.407 at High A with 11 HR, 52 BB, 85 K over 280 AB. Recently promoted to AA, batting .111 over first 5 games. Gets average remarks for glove but has improved enough where expected to stay there.
- Evan Phillips (unranked) – 23 year old relief pitcher, MLB ready, already pitched 4 games in Atlanta with 8.53 ERA over 6.1 innings, closed at AAA where he had 1.99 ERA over 40.1 innings along with 10 BB, 59 K, .199 opponent average.
- Bruce Zimmermann (unranked on MLB.com, no. 24 Talking Chop mid-season update)
NOTE: As fate would have it, Zimmermann just so happens to be my cousin. Crazy to think six years ago, I was playing with him on my high school team at Loyola and now he’s a prospect in a major trade coming back to the hometown team. Couldn’t be happier for him! Here’s his story.
Local pitcher from Woodstock, MD who pitched in high school at Loyola Blakefield and then two years at Towson. Blossomed into a Friday night started after transferring to D2 Mount Olive in NC. Braves took flier on him as 5th round senior sign in 2017 draft and he rewarded them by establishing himself as a legit prospect in 2018.
Made the SALLY League all-star team after pitching to a 2.76 ERA over 84.1 innings, striking out 99 while walking just 18 and holding opponents to a .233 average. Braves then promoted him straight to AA where he has held his own over six starts, albeit with some struggles with command in two of the starts. Overall at AA, has 3.14 ERA over 28.2 innings with 19 walks, 26 strikeouts, and a .243 average.
Throws a low-90’s fastball with solid sink (48% groundball rate this year) and an average curveball and changeup. Changeup plays up at times due to above average command and ability to sequence his pitches effectively. Has a back-of-the-rotation profile if he continues to throw strikes. His success versus lefties this year (.160 opponent average) suggests he has a high floor as potential bullpen asset if starting doesn’t work out.
Discuss the trades more here in the forum!
