NOV. 23: The Royals announced that they have placed Sparkman on unconditional release waivers.
NOV. 20: The Royals have announced a series of roster moves (via Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com). Right-hander Glenn Sparkman and left-hander Gabe Speier have each been designated for assignment, while right-hander Chance Adams cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Omaha. Those moves clear 40-man roster space for four players Kansas City added to protect them from the Rule 5 draft: outfielder Khalil Lee, catcher Sebastian Rivero, and left-handers Daniel Tillo and Angel Zerpa.
The 28-year-old Sparkman pitched in 31 games (23 starts) for Kansas City in 2019. He only managed a 6.02 ERA with a minuscule 13.4% strikeout rate in that time. The swingman started this season in the Royals’ bullpen but went down with a forearm strain after just five appearances.
Unlike Sparkman, Speier is exclusively a reliever. While he’s had some productive minor-league seasons, the 25-year-old hasn’t found much success at the game’s highest level. In seventeen MLB appearances for Kansas City over the past two seasons, Speier pitched to 7.62 ERA while walking an untenable 15.9% of opposing hitters.
Adams underwent Tommy John surgery last month and won’t pitch next season. The former well-regarded Yankee farmhand will try to work his way back into the mix in 2022.
I remember when gabe speier was in every trade it seemed lol
Leaving Yefri del Rosario unprotected?! What a terrible excuse for a GM. Never even heard of two of these prospects.
Ok well three of them are very well known highly regarded prospects so go sit in the corner. As for Zerpa, I got nothing.
I would say it’s unlikely someone takes a teenager who hasn’t pitched in full season ball and hasn’t pitched in any affiliated ball in two years.
Remember Elvis Luciano?
I do, and it was generally regarded as shocking around the league that it happened. Not exactly an outcome you plan for. Also, Elvis Luciano wasn’t 2+ years removed from throwing a pitch like del Rosario is. At this point the odds of him ever throwing a pitch for the Royals major league club are significantly worse than every other kid in Low-A, which is not great to begin with.
Yes and he’s not even listed as a top 30 prospect by BlueJays nor would he crack our top 30
I remember when Sparkman was a slightly hyped blue jays prospect.
Not even close…. a hyped prospect….Christ
Ok i don’t pretend to be an expert but I feel like I’m considerably more informed than the average fan with regards to the Royals farm system — I’ve never so much as heard of Angel Zerpa. Decent numbers as a teenager in low A, but that’s surprising to me.
Anyone on here more plugged in than I?
Yefri del Rosario is the biggest head scratcher. I pay attention to the minor leagues and I didnt have a clue who Angel Zerpa was until I dug deeper. I understand but Moore must know something all of us don’t. I am pissed about Rosario though.
Rosario has never played full season ball has he? Plus he was hurt all last year. I would be surprised if someone takes him. Still doesn’t explain Zerpa.
I agree 100 percent on Zerpa. I don’t understand it at all.
Rosario is a personal sleeper prospect that I believe will be special when he gets the experiance needed. I do agree there is a good chance he doesnt get selected due to the injuries. I personally don’t want to take the chance with him. Too bad my personal feelings mean nothing lol
Sparkman must not have sparked enough joy in the Royals’ org
No that there’s a baseball fan – said in the voice of Larry the Cable Guy.
Hat tip to everyone who has this level of knowledge about the KC farm system
From DM via Flanagan:
Zerpa, 21, is likely the biggest mystery of the 40-man roster additions. He signed out of Venezuela in 2016, and has shown surprising command and advanced awareness on the mound for his age. He was 6-3 with a 3.40 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) in Rookie ball in 2019, striking out 55 and posting a 1.08 WHIP in 55 2/3 innings.
Moore said Zerpa will be known to fans very soon.
“He’s coming very quickly through the system,” Moore said. “He’s got great command, he competes. He’s right up there with [Daniel] Lynch and [Jackson] Kowar and [Jonathan] Bowlan and [Alec] Marsh, all of them. We would have lost him.”
that’s hella high praise. right up their with their blue chip SP prospects? okay then Moore.
Take a chance Baltimore. Sparkman could be a surprise.
Sparkman is never going to be a star, but I could see him being a guy that is able to keep finding a job and ends up having a long career as a journeyman pitcher.
I can see the Blue Jays signing him to a minors deal. There’s obviously something they like about him since they took him in the Rule 5 draft a few years ago. I think if he has any shot at getting back to and sticking in the majors, it’ll have to be in a relief role though.
Sparkman was cool but we still smash those Chicago slugs