The A’s have designated outfielder Dustin Fowler for assignment. This was the corresponding move to create roster space for Trevor Rosenthal, whose deal with Oakland has now been officially announced.
Perhaps best known for his inclusion as part of the trade package sent by the Yankees to the A’s in the July 2017 Sonny Gray trade, Fowler hit .224/256/.354 with six home runs over 203 plate appearances with Oakland in 2018. His only other MLB experience was a single game with the Yankees in 2017, as Fowler’s big league debut was ruined after he ruptured his right patellar tendon after running into an electrical box while chasing a fly ball at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field.
It was a particularly damaging injury for a player known for his speed while coming up through the minor leagues, though Fowler still managed some respectable (25-for-31) stolen base totals with the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate in 2018 and 2019. Ramon Laureano’s emergence turned Fowler into a somewhat expendable part of Oakland’s future plans, though Fowler is still 26, and he has posted some strong post-injury hitting numbers at the Triple-A level.
CubsWin108
Typical A’s move…
DarkSide830
what, designating a player that hasn’t done much of anything since leaving NYY?
SoxRewl
Exactly. Making sound roster decisions. Typical As.
Pauly2112
Whoop, there it is!
Loling @ you
Didn’t do much with yankees his minors numbers are better with a’s just overvaluing yankees prospects per usual.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Yeah for sure, @tetsumaki –
The Yanks hype machine is so awesome. That’s a big reason why Cashman is able to “fleece” so many GMs.
shhhhhhhhh…please, bro. Keep it a secret. It’s a huge advantage.
Braveslifer
He hasn’t been the same since he hit the fence in NY…
zacharydmanprin
He hit the fence in Chicago.
stubby66
Guessing the Brewers will pick him up
Asfan0780
Well kaprelian didn’t pitch at all in 2017 and 2018 and the trade happened july of 2017. It’s possible he might be a useful pitcher and his velocity was mid 90s in a brief call up as a reliever during shortened season. But it’s hard to trust the injury history. He also turns 27 next month
small_market_chub
Typical stupid comment from cubswin108…
CubsWin108
I meant it was a good move… I love the A’s and the Rays.
worthington
It’s a move teams make all the time.
galer18
Damn shame, given what happened with him and that nasty knee injury he got. Not saying he would have turned into anything, but he could have at least had a chance for playing time had he not gotten injured.
Asfan0780
Well that sonny gray trade ended up lousy lol, for both sides
Far Beyond Driven
James Kaprielian still has a chance to pan out. He was the center piece of that prospect return.
DarkSide830
While I agree he could pan out, was he really the centerpiece? weren’t him, Fowler, and Mateo all of about the same regard at the time?
Far Beyond Driven
He was the only first round draft pick included in the trade
Far Beyond Driven
He was also a top 100 prospect
JohhnyBets67
They all were top 100 guys at the time. Kaprielian was actually injured when traded. Arguing that he was the centerpiece is highly questionable. They were all around the same value at that time
SoxRewl
Yeah at the time I recall they were all similarly regarded, with Fowler being the most enticing piece in my own opinion. I viewed Kaprellian as last of the three, although if he works out it of course is all worth it.
DarkSide830
my point exactly. he might have previously been higher but his stock took a hit with thr injury.
JohhnyBets67
I think Mateo was the guy who had the highest ceiling. He just never figured out the plate discipline piece. That was always his knock.
HBan22
It almost seems like some people forgot about Kaprielian. Sure, he has battled injuries, but he was a top prospect and his minor league numbers are very good. He’s one to keep an eye on.
mrmackey
He’s like a much less durable Rich Harden,
mrmackey
Kap is made of glass, and that is an insult to the durability of glass.
vwnut13
James Kaprielian is 27 and has thrown 101 career professional innings.
Orioles Fan
Would love to see the Orioles sign him
gcg27
We have better outfielders than him
JohhnyBets67
But there is one waste of 40 man space on the roster. Chris Davis should go for Dustin Fowler any day of the week.
Orioles Fan
I know we do but we could use the depth. Martin and Hayes have been injury prone.
Loling @ you
Another overrated yankees prospect. Are you surprised?
Brixton
Its been 5 years and a catastrophic leg injury since he was a yankees minor leaguer
pinstripes17
Most of the Yankees prospects pan out actually, whether it’s for them or for other organizations.
Old User Name
Tats.. How many times sre you going to reference your disdain for Yankees prospects in this article?
DarkSide830
he got injured but okay
driftcat28 2
What???? He hasn’t been a yankee in years
mlb1225
Just goes to show how offensive heavy the PCL was in 2019. He hit .277/.333/.477 with 25 home runs, a .341 wOBA yet still only had a 93 wRC+.
solaris602
Cleveland should be all over this.
Asfan0780
That would be interesting. Since A’s got rule 5 pick ka’ai Tom from indians
KCJ
I seem to remember that he filed a lawsuit against Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate field because of the exposed electrical box. Does anyone have any info on the results of that?
sss847
discovery is ongoing.
i wonder what would happen if the sox claimed fowler on waivers. are they only allowed to speak to him through attorneys?
KCJ
SSS847 –
Thanks for the info! I’ve been wondering about that for a while
Cohn Joppolella
Braves will snag him.
bravesfan88
Lately that’s been the trend, they’ve been slowly but surely adding some platoon bats to their bench and a few reclamation projects, but let’s face it having their backup catcher which will either be Jackson or Contreras, Adrianza, Ender, and then Camargo was DEFINITELY NOT going to cut it!!
That is not the bench of a team trying to win their division, much less make a run towards the NLCS!! I feel alot better now that they’ve added Kipnis, Lamb, and possibly Ervin to the mix..
Even so, I certainly wouldn’t mind the Braves taking a run at Fowler, and allowing him to fight it out in Spring Training with Inciarte and Ervin to win their 4th OF spot.
I think a bench of Jackson/Contreras, Adrianza/Camargo, Kipnis, Lamb, and then either Ervin, Fowler, or Inciarte is a huge upgrade over what they had just only a few weeks ago..It would definitely depend on how Inciarte is looking come ST as to whether or not he even got a chance to stick on the roster. If he just continues to slap weak grounders to second base, and if he’s still a step slower on the bases and in the field, then there is just no way you can carry him on the roster. They’re just going to have to eat his 8mil or so, and cut bait if that’s the case. That 4th OF spot was filled in excellently by Duvall last season, they can’t afford to get negative production out of that spot, especially if anyone misses any time.
If so, they’re going to have to carry Ervin and Lamb on the roster. Lamb can slide into 3B, when he’s needed and that should be adequate enough if someone like Ozuna or Pache goes down, they should be able to at least get some decent production. Then, Acuña Jr. can slide over into CF, and you can take the favorable matchups between 3B and LF with Lamb, Riley, and Ervin…
To me, like I said, that’s a heck of alot better than having to rely on Camargo and Inciarte as your only backups in case of an injury…YIIIIKES!!!
HBan22
I’m rooting for this dude, personally. I was watching that game where he suffered that catastrophic knee injury, and I remember feeling so bad for him because he has just gotten called up to the majors for the first time. I’m not sure if the injury is what caused his decline in performance, but he was never really given a true chance with the A’s, for whatever reason. Hope he goes to a club that will give him a real chance to get back to the Bigs.
mbgutt
Pirates should put in claim
kwolf68
This is why it’s so hard to make it in baseball. Fowler was a lower draft pick (19th I think) and developed as a prospect with + power and + speed and capable (though since proven to be average at best) defense. He made it to Top 5 in the Yankees system and was part of the ole’ prospect for talent trade.
He made Oakland in 2018, that was not good, sent to the farm. Had a great Spring in 2019, but the As gifted the LF spot to Grossman. Fowler has pretty much been in AAA since, putting up very good numbers, but actually merely average numbers when considering the league he was playing in.
The As are a smart organization I think they no longer see upside in Fowler and needed to move people out with these signings. With no options remaining Fowler was the odd man out. Left handed OF at bats will come from Tom (Rule 5 pick), Seth Brown, Bolt.
Oakland places a large value on plate discipline and even though Fowler has pretty good bat to ball skills, pop and speed, the fact he’s such a free swinger doesnt allow him to use his talent and often offers at pitches he can’t do much with.
There is still plenty of talent in him and I suspect a team will pick up on him and give him a look. There is still time. There are plenty of examples of late bloomers. Guys like Max Muncy, Whitt Merrifield, Dylan Moore. Fowler could still be a productive player, but he has certainly fallen from grace.
gost1
So smart they drafted Kyler Murray with their 1st pick! So smart they thought they had the firepower in 2018 and didn’t trade Treinen at deadline. Two simple moves right there that could have pushed them over the top in ’19, and ’20+.
Fine with me though since I’m an Astros fan. HOU should claim the division once again, and not look back for awhile. Funny after losing Springer this Fowler kid isn’t even on our radar with Straw Brantley Tucker McCormick Siri Souza and Diaz to fill in, til Pedro Leon is ready. All that talk of JBJ or any number of OF, or pitching when in fact We’re Set!
A’s “smarts” is an extremely overrated cliche’..
le r.
Plate discipline issues have been a problem for him
GothamNeedsMe
I know it’s Dustin Fowler but when I saw the picture I immediately thought it was Dustin Johnson for a second.
mack423
Surprised he was still on the 40-man and wasn’t outrighted a while ago.
vwnut13
Perhaps best known for breaking his knee.
bravesfan
Would love the Braves to go get him as a bench guy or just as a project. Former big time prospects are always worth the effort in my opinion
bronxboy28
I would like the Yankees pick him up again just because of how they handled his injury. He never got an at bat before that injury! Give him an invite Yankees!
talking baseball
Versatile outfielder that has speed, can never have to many of those. I’m thinking Giants all the way. Giants have a couple of outfielders that are good, but they think to much and are now on the forgettable list. Go with the kid that hustles and thinks mind over matter.