Rays acquire Mets starting prospect RHP Mike Vasil from Phillies

After the mud had settles from at the moment’s Rule 5 draft, the Rays stunned this afternoon with the information that that they had acquired RHP Mike Vasil from the Philadelphia Phillies in change for money issues.

The 24-yera outdated Vasil was chosen by the Phillies within the main league section of the Rule 5 Draft from the New York Mets, making this two unproven Metropolitan prospects heading to Tampa subsequent season. Each Vasil and LHP Lavender should keep on the Rays 26-man roster all of subsequent season to be saved.

Ranked the No. 9 prospect within the Mets system at Baseball America and contained in the Prime-20 prospects at MLB Pipeline, Vasil is a 50 FV prospect regardless of a 6.04 ERA in 2024 as a starter (29 G, 27 GS, 134 IP).

Vasil pitches at 93-94 mph and tops close to 95 with a four-seam fastball he makes use of to arrange the remainder of his repertoire. Like many pitchers contending with the [Automatic Balls & Strikes] system at Triple-A, he had hassle registering referred to as excessive strikes with the tight zone. Vasil’s mid-to-high-80s slider is his standout providing and grades as plus based mostly on his capability to throw it for strikes or induce chases. He throws his slider each forward and behind within the depend. Vasil’s mid-80s changeup has developed right into a trusty chase pitch he makes use of to attempt to put away batters. He’ll drop in an occasional low-80s curveball when forward within the depend.

Vasil’s capability to command all 4 pitch sorts to each side of the plate helps him hold hitters guessing. He’s a high-probability starter who would possibly match at no. 4 or 5 in a rotation. Vasil is poised to make his MLB debut…

[Baseball America]

The Rays are in want of younger weapons who can go after it within the Florida warmth, and have addressed that want twice now on the Winter Conferences, each by way of the Rule 5 draft, however beggars can’t be choosers.

Vasil is a towering 6’5” that had bone spurs a pair seasons in the past however in any other case put harm issues from his draft profile behind him. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the Rays worth him extra as a starter or reliever, and it would take Spring Coaching to type out the place they see his profile flourishing.