The D-backs and veteran righty Tyler Chatwood are in agreement on a minor league contract, per team’s transaction log at MLB.com. Chatwood, an Excel Sports client, signed his deal yesterday and got right to work, tossing an inning for the organization’s Rookie-level affiliate in the Arizona Complex League.
Presumably, that’ll be a short stay at that level for Chatwood as he builds up arm strength. The right-hander was with the Pirates organization earlier this year but was released in mid-June and hasn’t pitched since. Once he has a few innings under his belt, he’ll likely move up to Triple-A Reno.
Chatwood, 33, pitched ten minor league innings with Pittsburgh earlier this season but walked more batters (eight) than he struck out in that short time. A veteran with a decade-long big league career under his belt, he’s pitched to a 4.45 ERA in 878 2/3 innings at the MLB level, punching out 17.2% of his opponents against a 12% walk rate and 53.9% ground-ball rate. He hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2021, however, and he’s posted an ERA north of 5.00 in three of his past four big league seasons. From 2018-21, Chatwood worked to a combined 4.83 ERA and walked a massive 15.6% of his opponents.
While the recent track record is shaky, Chatwood averaged 96 mph on his heater from 2019-21, has a long history of inducing grounders at a high rate and upped his strikeout rate considerably in his last two big league seasons (27.3%). The D-backs shuffled their bullpen mix at the deadline, acquiring Paul Sewald but also sending veteran Andrew Chafin to the Brewers in a trade for younger righty Peter Strzelecki. Chatwood will add another fresh face to the depth chart, though there’s obviously no guarantee of him ever pitching with the big league club. He’ll need to pitch his way up to the Majors, but there’s little harm in the Diamondbacks taking a chance on a hard-throwing veteran in this manner.
Jays fans love that name lol
This man isn’t allowed in Canada
The D-backs have officially thrown in the towel
Ray
Do you seriously think that a transaction that is as insignificant as this, actually signals anything at all about any organization in MLB?
Think before you type!
Well they are playing terribly. Does that count????
Hey let’s trade for Sewald but then give up Chafin. Great plan….
King
I love it when you gloat about another team in a slump. Misery loves company. Cards have a legitimate shot at drafting #1 next year.
“I coulda beena contender”
Signed Arizona Diamondbacks
I remember Chatwood’s time with the Cubs, very meh as a starter but solid work as a reliever.
That deal with the Cubs was so stupid. He was never actually good before they signed him yet they threw $40 million his way.
Theo’s mentality was that Chatwood’s numbers would improve leaving Colorado, since I think his numbers away from Coors were pretty good, that’s my recollection of that signing. Basically analytics said his underlying metrics were good.
Yeah but those walks to strikeouts were atrocious home or away from Coors. Seems to have good movement though, doesn’t give up a lot of homers.
Good stuff if he can control it, which he’s never been able to do consistently. He’d pitch great about once a month with the Rockies, but more often it would be lots of walks and 3-1 counts and not getting past the 5th inning.
Chatwood will always be beloved as the man who ended the Jeff Mathis era when he was traded for Chris Ianetta.
It was so bizarre seeing our catcher reach base after at bats.
It’s a minor league deal so there’s not a lot at risk. Given the D-Backs recent slump since a little before the ASG, this is a minor league signing that includes minor risk. As a lifelong D-Backs fan (since 1998 when I was 10 years ago), I’ve witnessed a lot of similar signings that have either panned out of crashed with not a ton of cash involved. Hoping for Chatwood & Arizona’s sake.
Chatwood started out great for the Jays then he lost the ability to throw strikes.
If Tyler can throw strikes, he’ll be effective .. he’s still at 95- 96 and has a ton of movement .. his arm feels good .. I hope he and the D Backs benefit from this move ..
He can be effectively wild but still needs to throw a strike when he has to ..
Mr. Chatwalk
Walk machine. Couldn’t hit the floor with his hat
Spaghetti on the wall…..
Cubs had two pitchers that were basically the same- Chatwood and Dillon Maples. Throw high 90’s with wipeout stuff when they had control. Trouble is that’s a rare day.