The Astros traded right-hander Rafael Montero and $7.7MM to the Braves earlier this week for a participant to be named later or money. The Astros introduced right this moment that the PTBNL in that deal is minor league righty Patrick Halligan.
Halligan, 25, was chosen by the Royals within the thirteenth spherical of the draft again in 2021. He made the occasional begin however largely labored in aid. Over 2021 and 2022, he tossed 85 2/3 innings within the minors with a 5.36 earned run common and was launched previous to the 2023 season.
Atlanta signed him to a minor league deal and the change of surroundings appeared to helped him. He has since logged 123 1/3 innings with a 3.72 ERA. His 10.6% stroll fee is a bit excessive however he has additionally struck out 27.6% of batters confronted. Final yr, he logged 50 2/3 innings, largely at Double-A but additionally with some Triple-A piece. For the entire yr, he had a 3.02 ERA, 31.6% strikeout fee and 11.8% stroll fee. Final month, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs listed the highest prospects in Atlanta’s system and gave Halligan an honorable point out, highlighting his splitter as his key to success.
With the Montero deal, the Astros have been in all probability completely satisfied simply to shed just a few million bucks. His contract had shortly gone underwater and so they had been making an attempt to commerce him for fairly some time. On high of saving roughly $3MM, they are going to take a flier on Halligan and see if he can work his means into their huge league bullpen.
Photograph courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Pictures
