FanPost

Rating the Rutledge for Diaz Trade

The Colorado Rockies made a couple of minor moves at the Winter Meetings on Thursday that aren't real exciting but deserve a look. The first move they made last night and into this morning was trading utility infielder Josh Rutledge to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Right Handed Minor League Reliever Jairo Diaz. I actually like this move after I was able to find out some information on Diaz. Diaz is a 23 year old hard throwing right hander who has been a reliever during his entire minor league career. His yearly stats are broken down below: 2012-Low A Vermont 18 Games, 25 2/3 innings, 13 hits, 5 runs, 33 K's, 10 BB's, 1.05 ERA 2013-Reg A Beloit 36 Games, 99 2/3 innings, 93 hits, 48 runs, 72 K's, 43 BB's, 3.97 ERA 2014-High A Stockton 46 Games, 54 2/3 innings, 47 hits, 22 runs, 79 K's, 19 BB's, 3.46 ERA He was primarily a closer in all of these stops as he finished 76 of his 100 appearances and had a total of 33 saves in those chances. He rates an "A" with his fastball and also has an above average slider which are the two main pitches needed to be an effective late inning reliever. As far as Rutledge is concerned, he had his moments filling in for Troy Tulowitzki at Short and getting some innings at 3rd and 2nd base as well but never turned into the player the Rockies thought he would be. Overall I really like this move because the Rockies picked up a potential future closer and only had to give up a utility player to get what looks to be a top prospect as a late inning reliever.

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