The Blue Jays acquire Thomas Hatch from the Cubs for David Phelps

[TwistedLogic]

Shi Davidi: The Blue Jays are acquiring Thomas Hatch from Cubs for David Phelps, per industry source.

 

[TwistedLogic]

This blockbuster definitely makes up for the Stroman trade.

[Laika]

Nice little trade. I think Hatch was in their top 30. Kind of sounds like Biagini, where there are some SP traits but maybe the total package would just work better as a reliever with an unusually deep bag of pitches.

 

The 2019 Contributor: Thomas Hatch, RHP: There are a few pitchers that could help the Cubs in 2019 but Hatch has the best combination of near-MLB-ready stuff and future upside. He’s athletic and fields his position well. My two biggest concerns are the arm action (effort) and the fact he doesn’t always finish his pitches and leaves his shoulder open, which hurts his command. He has the stuff — the potential for three average-or-better offerings — to be a No. 4 starter in the Majors with some maturation.

[Krylian]

Nice little trade. I think Hatch was in their top 30. Kind of sounds like Biagini, where there are some SP traits but maybe the total package would just work better as a reliever with an unusually deep bag of pitches.

 

The 2019 Contributor: Thomas Hatch, RHP: There are a few pitchers that could help the Cubs in 2019 but Hatch has the best combination of near-MLB-ready stuff and future upside. He’s athletic and fields his position well. My two biggest concerns are the arm action (effort) and the fact he doesn’t always finish his pitches and leaves his shoulder open, which hurts his command. He has the stuff — the potential for three average-or-better offerings — to be a No. 4 starter in the Majors with some maturation.

 

Yup. He was their #29 as per Pipeline.

[z3r0s]

For Phelps, take what we can get. Some nice elements to dream on, even if the whole package is 'meh' right now.

I wonder if the two ptbnl from Tampa are going to be pitchers. Would be 5 and counting injected into the system. We need some arms for sure.

[Krylian]

Team: Tennessee Smokies (AA) ETA: 2019 Position: RHP Age: 24 DOB: 09/29/1994 Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6' 1" Weight: 200 lb. Drafted: 2016, 3rd (104) - CHC

 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

 

Hatch missed 2015 with a sprained elbow ligament that didn't require surgery, then returned to lead Oklahoma State to the 2016 College World Series by working 23 straight shutout innings during the NCAA tournament. Chicago's top pick (third round) that June, he made his pro debut in high Class A the next year. He has been durable in two pro seasons but has had some unexpected issues with his control and pitch sequencing.

 

In college, Hatch's two main pitches were a low-90s two-seam fastball and a low-80s slider. The Cubs wanted him to focus on using a four-seamer and changeup to combat left-handers, but he took that too far in 2018 and got hit when he relied too much on the straighter of his two fastballs. On the positive side, his changeup was his best offering at times last year, and he showed the ability to sit at 93-94 mph and touch 96 with his four-seamer.

 

Hatch also has had difficulty avoiding barrels because his control has been spotty. He pounded the strike zone when he was the Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year in 2016 but finished second in the Double-A Southern League with 61 walks a year ago. He has better stuff than most of the system's starting pitcher prospects, but he could wind up as a middle reliever if he can't improve at locating and mixing his offerings.

[Slade]

Not a bad trade, he'll provide some innings or be a Gaviglio pen type. This is kind of what I expected from a Phelps trade. He did have a friendly $1MM club option next year too.

[KevinGregg]

this seems like a really good deal for a guy I barely even knew was on our team. Another guy with potential to start. Atkins really picking up a lot of pitching

[Abomination]

Nice little trade. I think Hatch was in their top 30. Kind of sounds like Biagini, where there are some SP traits but maybe the total package would just work better as a reliever with an unusually deep bag of pitches.

 

The 2019 Contributor: Thomas Hatch, RHP: There are a few pitchers that could help the Cubs in 2019 but Hatch has the best combination of near-MLB-ready stuff and future upside. He’s athletic and fields his position well. My two biggest concerns are the arm action (effort) and the fact he doesn’t always finish his pitches and leaves his shoulder open, which hurts his command. He has the stuff — the potential for three average-or-better offerings — to be a No. 4 starter in the Majors with some maturation.

 

I don't know. To me, Hatch's ceiling is probably current Phelps. I think I'd have preferred just exercising the option we had on Phelps. I guess he works fine as minor league depth.

[BTS]

A bit surprised that they pulled the trigger on Phelps this season. I thought they'd pick up his 2020 option and hope he'd build value with a healthy season. This is fine though. Hatch looks like a decent depth arm.

[Brownie19]

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

 

Hatch missed 2015 with a sprained elbow ligament that didn't require surgery, then returned to lead Oklahoma State to the 2016 College World Series by working 23 straight shutout innings during the NCAA tournament. Chicago's top pick (third round) that June, he made his pro debut in high Class A the next year. He has been durable in two pro seasons but has had some unexpected issues with his control and pitch sequencing.

 

In college, Hatch's two main pitches were a low-90s two-seam fastball and a low-80s slider. The Cubs wanted him to focus on using a four-seamer and changeup to combat left-handers, but he took that too far in 2018 and got hit when he relied too much on the straighter of his two fastballs. On the positive side, his changeup was his best offering at times last year, and he showed the ability to sit at 93-94 mph and touch 96 with his four-seamer.

 

Hatch also has had difficulty avoiding barrels because his control has been spotty. He pounded the strike zone when he was the Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year in 2016 but finished second in the Double-A Southern League with 61 walks a year ago. He has better stuff than most of the system's starting pitcher prospects, but he could wind up as a middle reliever if he can't improve at locating and mixing his offerings.

 

That's from MLB.com

[Slade]

BA's 2018 write up on him.

 

Ranked Chicago Cubs #22 prospect after the 2018 season

Track Record: Hatch missed a season at Oklahoma State with a strained ulnar collateral ligament. A platelet-rich plasma injection helped him get back on the mound without surgery, however, and he went 9-3, 2.14 in his junior season to help lead the Cowboys to the College World Series. He got on the mound as a pro for the first time in 2017, to mixed results, and was inconsistent again in 2018.

 

Scouting Report: Hatch has a solid three-pitch mix, but nothing that would qualify as a knockout. He sinks his low-90s fastball to both sides of the plate and can run the pitch up to 95 at times. He pairs it with a low-80s slider that he can manipulate for called strikes or sharpen for chases. The pitch projects as a 55 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. He also throws an 80-82 mph changeup that is below-average now and projects to be a tick better with repetition.

 

The Future: After a year in Double-A, Hatch is likely to move to Triple-A Iowa in 2019. He has the ceiling of a No. 5 starter or a long reliever.

[Orgfiller]

Poor man's Loup for Waguespack. Phelps' hasn't been that great since coming back, his velocity is 2 mph slower than when he last pitched and the projections are meh. Hatch is probably a fine depth starter and could probably be a reliever as good as present David Phelps if not better if he's converted.

[Krylian]

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

 

Hatch missed 2015 with a sprained elbow ligament that didn't require surgery, then returned to lead Oklahoma State to the 2016 College World Series by working 23 straight shutout innings during the NCAA tournament. Chicago's top pick (third round) that June, he made his pro debut in high Class A the next year. He has been durable in two pro seasons but has had some unexpected issues with his control and pitch sequencing.

 

In college, Hatch's two main pitches were a low-90s two-seam fastball and a low-80s slider. The Cubs wanted him to focus on using a four-seamer and changeup to combat left-handers, but he took that too far in 2018 and got hit when he relied too much on the straighter of his two fastballs. On the positive side, his changeup was his best offering at times last year, and he showed the ability to sit at 93-94 mph and touch 96 with his four-seamer.

 

Hatch also has had difficulty avoiding barrels because his control has been spotty. He pounded the strike zone when he was the Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year in 2016 but finished second in the Double-A Southern League with 61 walks a year ago. He has better stuff than most of the system's starting pitcher prospects, but he could wind up as a middle reliever if he can't improve at locating and mixing his offerings.

 

That's from MLB.com

 

It's even better when you post it.

[gruber92]

I don't know. To me, Hatch's ceiling is probably current Phelps. I think I'd have preferred just exercising the option we had on Phelps. I guess he works fine as minor league depth.

 

I feel the same, lateral move at best. What was the option on Phelps salary wise?

[Angrioter]

Nada que ver aquí!!

[Abomination]

I feel the same, lateral move at best. What was the option on Phelps salary wise?

 

1M, assuming he doesn't get into more than 12 more games this year. 3M if he does.

[Slade]

I feel the same, lateral move at best. What was the option on Phelps salary wise?

 

How is it a lateral move? We're talking $1MM option for 2020 where we can have 6 years of a potential 5th starter/Pen arm? I don't see how Phelps helps us in 2020.

[Bobthe4th]

I feel the same, lateral move at best. What was the option on Phelps salary wise?

 

http://i.imgur.com/eN2p1Ek.jpg

[Orgfiller]

1M, assuming he doesn't get into more than 12 more games this year. 3M if he does.

 

Depth charts projects him as having ~18 more games remaining, and I don't think we'd be stingy enough to willingly sit him out over that.

[Jonn]

Phelps is pretty easily replaceable in the off-season. I will gladly take 6 years of control for a depth starting option and a guy with good enough stuff to convert well to a bullpen role.

 

Like most people I was intrigued by Phelps but his velo was clearly down and didn’t look overly impressive. Maybe he would have looked better next season but once again you can find good relief options fairly cheap late in free agency.

[Spanky99]

How is it a lateral move? We're talking $1MM option for 2020 where we can have 6 years of a potential 5th starter/Pen arm? I don't see how Phelps helps us in 2020.

 

Gruber's an idiot, don't mind him.

[Deadpool]

Pretty solid move, IMO. Even if Hatch ends up in the pen, he could be a cheap piece there for several years.

 

Edit: Is he a 40 man guy, or does this clear a spot for us?

[Laika]

Yeah, lol. They can just sign a new Phelps if they want.

 

People who do not think this is a decent move (or that it's just a "lateral move") are exposing themselves as morons.

[Barkerfan23]

Rule 5 guy this winter. Has to be on the 40 Man.

 

Honestly I dont have a problem with letting these guys take their shot this year.

[Orgfiller]

Pretty solid move, IMO. Even if Hatch ends up in the pen, he could be a cheap piece there for several years.

 

Edit: Is he a 40 man guy, or does this clear a spot for us?

 

He's not part of the 40-man but if fangraphs' contract stuff is correct he'll be Rule 5 eligible this offseason.

[Terminator]

If this guy has to be on the 40 man I'm not sure I like this trade at all.

[Jonn]

If this guy has to be on the 40 man I'm not sure I like this trade at all.

 

Why? Someone has to pitch for us next year lol. May as well be him at some point.

[Orgfiller]

If this guy has to be on the 40 man I'm not sure I like this trade at all.

 

As opposed to having another generic reliever on the 40 man? Hatch doesn't presently need to be on the 40 man, and we'll have him for a couple of months to decide if he's worth adding. He's probably not much worse than Phelps is if you converted him to relief tomorrow.

[Slade]

Pretty solid move, IMO. Even if Hatch ends up in the pen, he could be a cheap piece there for several years.

 

Edit: Is he a 40 man guy, or does this clear a spot for us?

 

He shouldn't be a 40 man guy, this is only his 3rd professional season. Shouldn't need to go on the 40 man until 2021.