We don’t normally write posts just for minor league transactions, but as the club made 25 of them in one shot, we thought it was worth reviewing. Here is the full list of activity, with a little color added…
TO CHARLOTTE
- RHP Jake Dunning (activated from DL)
Dunning adds an arm to a staff that has been, and will be, taxed due to heavy bullpen use in Chicago.
TO BIRMINGHAM
- OF Courtney Hawkins (from Winston-Salem, rehab)
- LHP Colton Turner (from Charlotte)
Hawkins returns to where he started the season, from his rehab tour of the lower levels. He was reported to be suffering from complications of a thyroid condition. Regardless of health, Hawkins has been struggling this year even more than previously, and this is likely his last shot to show some improvement.
TO WINSTON-SALEM
- RHP Alec Hansen (from Kannapolis)
- RHP Jimmy Lambert (from Kannapolis)
- RHP Mike Morrison (from Kannapolis)
- LHP Kyle Kubat (from Kannapolis)
- RHP Ian Hamilton (from Birmingham)
- INF Toby Thomas (from Birmingham)
- OF Jameson Fisher (from Kannapolis)
- OF Joel Booker (from Kannapolis)
- C Seby Zavala (from Kannapolis)
And suddenly the Dash, who had a very rough first half, get a whole new look. That’s an impressive group of prospects to add, and they managed to keep the few current prospects (i.e. Zack Collins) and high-performing role players (i.e. Tanner Banks and Danny Mendick) they already had. This should now be a much more competitive squad, and one to watch in person or on MiLB.tv.
It should be interesting to see how they balance Collins and Zavala, the top two catching prospects in the system, on the same club. An outfield that now appears to feature Fisher, Booker and Luis Alexander Basabe should be a lot of fun too, but the promotions probably also mean that Alex Call is not close to getting back to action.
TO KANNAPOLIS
- RHP Matt Foster (from Extended Spring Training)
- RHP Luis Martinez (from Winston-Salem)
- RHP Yelmison Peralta (from Winston-Salem)
- INF Sam Dexter (from Great Falls)
- INF J.J. Franco (from Winston-Salem)
- OF Aaron Schnurbusch (from Winston-Salem)
- C Daniel Gonzalez (from Winston-Salem)
The flip side of Winston-Salem getting reinforcements is the stripping down of the Kannapolis roster. They won their first half division title so they are going to the post-season in any case, and there are a few real prospects in the new crop who should help the team. Also, it would be no surprise of a couple of the top 2017 draft picks end up here in a week or two.
TO GREAT FALLS
- INF Max Dutto (from Charlotte temporary assignment)
- INF Mikey Duarte (initial assignment from draft)
The Voyagers already look like a Pioneer League juggernaut, and don’t need much help right now.
TO DISABLED LIST
- OF Antonio Rodriguez (for Kannapolis)
- LHP Ryan Riga, retro to 6/18 (for Winston-Salem)
We don’t have injury details in either case, but Riga is a retroactive move, which usually indicates it is relatively minor.
RELEASED
- RHP Max Beatty (from Winston-Salem)
- OF Jake Fincher (from Winston-Salem)
Fincher fought back from a very serious head and facial injury from a hit-by-pitch in his draft year, battling his way to High A, which is not a small accomplishment. Beatty showed some interesting flair, throwing pitches from three different slots and at times looking effective in the Carolina League.
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