Here are Thursday’s minor moves from around the game…
- The Mariners have released right-hander Pat Light from Triple-A Tacoma, as Tacoma Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto tweets. The hard-throwing Light once rated among the better farmhands in the Red Sox system and was traded to the Twins in the 2016 Fernando Abad swap, but his control issues have prevented him from carving out a role in the big leagues. Light logged 16 2/3 innings between Boston and Minnesota in 2016, and while he struck out 16 batters in that time, he also issued 16 walks. Light’s strikeout rate plummeted with the Triple-A affiliates for the Pirates and Mariners last season, and in three innings with Tacoma in 2018, he issued eight walks and hit two batters.
- The White Sox released former first-round pick Courtney Hawkins yesterday, as first tweeted by FutureSox.com. Now 24 years old, Hawkins was the 13th overall pick of the 2012 draft. The outfielder, who endeared himself to many fans with his draft-day backflip, showed promise through the Class-A Advanced level but has seen his bat stall out in several attempts in Double-A. Hawkins has spent parts of the past four seasons (including 2018) with Chicago’s affiliate in Birmingham, Ala. but has slashed just .209/.265/.355 in 1136 plate appearances there.
Well this was depressing.
I recall Courtney Hawkins having a phenomenal spring camp with the White Sox a few years ago and some fans were clamoring for him to be included on their opening day roster. He was rightfully sent back to the minors where he continued to struggle with both health and production up until his inevitable release from the organization.
The release of Hawkins isn’t a surprise. He was treading on thin ice before the White Sox acquired Blake Rutherford. Now with Hawkins not producing and Rutherford playing well enough to warrant a move up to AA, Hawkins had nowhere to go. Birmingham 1B Keon Barnum will probably be the next to go. The White Sox’s farm system has too much talent now. There is no need to be patient with players who are roadblocks to a better player’s advancement.
Eloy coming off the DL was the final nail in the coffin.
Hawkins was ” treading on thin ice ” long before the White Sox began their rebuild and acquired Blake Rutherford. He has shown little since 2014 after putting up some promising numbers at the A ball level. Hawkins never made it to AAA and he slashed a pedestrian .209/.265/.355 in parts of four AA seasons with decreased base running ability and a continued penchant for striking out.
Oops. I was wrong. They released Hawkins to make room for Eloy Jimenez. I’m sure that Jimenez will justify the move very quickly. A lot of scouts think he has the talent to justify a call-up to the big club by the end of the season.
I can see Light being signed to a minor league contract with the Pirates. As for Courtney Hawkins, it’s a shame, Aaron was correct in his statement, but things didn’t pan out. I do wonder with his build if he could transition into a pitcher.
Hawkins pitched in high school and for Team USA so that’s a possibility
I remember back in 2012, I was really hoping the Rockies drafted Hawkins. They got David Dahl instead and I was upset. Sometimes it is nice to remember when we were REALLY wrong just to keep the ego in check.
I’m a Cavs fan and back in 2011 I REALLY wanted Derrick Williams over Kyrie Irving so I can relate to that
I seen David Dahl play in high school. Been a baller a long time.
Hey I know you guys already put in a lot of work, but I only have been following transactions in the past couple years, and I think it’d be nice if you linked to reports of old trades when they’re referenced. It’d just be a great QOL thing for us readers if you could.
All you need to do is open the player link which is to Baseball Reference. It will give you all of the trade history on each player’s overview page, at least those that have made an appearance in MLB.
So much for anybody that sits upper 90’s and touches 100mph can find a job with Pat Light.
As for his development with the Sox? 1st 3y wasted trying to teach him a changeup and slider, which he never could throw with consistency as a starter and was abysmal at. Finally, trashed att that and went with splitter from college.. Why waste 3y