The Diamondbacks announced Thursday that they’ve signed left-hander Brandon Hughes to a minor league contract. The former Cubs reliever will be in camp with the D-backs as a non-roster invitee this spring.
Hughes, 28, was a key reliever for Chicago in 2022 but missed the majority of the 2023 season owing to a left knee injury that required a debridement procedure back in June. He pitched just 13 2/3 innings this past season and was non-tendered in November.
While Hughes was tagged for a 7.24 ERA in his tiny sample of 2023 work, his 2022 season was excellent. He pitched 57 2/3 frames for the Cubs, working to a 3.12 earned run average with a sharp 28.5% strikeout rate against a respectable 8.8% walk rate. The Cubs put him in the ninth inning late in the season, and he recorded eight saves in that tole. Home runs were an issue for the southpaw (1.72 HR/9), but he also saw a disproportionate number of his fly-balls (17.8%) turn into long balls; the league average that season was 11.4%.
Beyond his strong work in the 2022 season, Hughes has a terrific minor league track record. His Triple-A numbers are a bit skewed by this year’s performance, most of which came as he made his way back from the aforementioned knee surgery. But even with the 11 runs he yielded in 11 frames this season, Hughes has a career 4.64 ERA in Triple-A and a 2.72 mark across all minor league levels. Prior to making his debut in 2022, he pitched 16 2/3 shutout innings with 22 strikeouts and three walks between Double-A and Triple-A.
The Diamondbacks have lefties Andrew Saalfrank and Joe Mantiply likely ticketed for spots in the big league bullpen, and Kyle Nelson is also on the 40-man roster as an option. A healthy Hughes could challenge any of that trio for a spot, however, and there’s enough uncertainty regarding the final spot in Torey Lovullo’s relief corps that carrying three southpaws is a possibility. As it stands, the Snakes will have Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Miguel Castro, Ryan Thompson, Scott McGough, Saalfrank and Mantiply likely penciled into spots. Out-of-options righty Luis Frias and righty Peter Strzelecki could both compete for that final spot, but spring injuries and performances could open up additional opportunities for Hughes and other non-roster invitees.
If Hughes is eventually added to the roster, he’ll offer the D-backs plenty of flexibility and long-term control. He has all three minor league option years remaining, and with just a one-plus year of MLB service, he can be controlled all the way through 2028 season.
great pickup
The Dbacks are having an under the radar, sneaky good off-season.
Anyone sign Brasier yet??
“Sign Brasier yet”..I’ve heard Brasier’s name a lot recently, but I’m fairly sure he’s still unsigned. He certainly put things together and turned it around with LA last year.
I’ll never understand why the Cubs kept Wisdom – and I’ll bet right now he gets released or traded anyway before June 1 – and let this guy go for nothing
Hughes was really good before his injury. I don’t get the love affair with Wisdom or Mastrobuoni. The cubs seem to be constantly chasing left handed bullpen arms and the let one go for nothing.
Probably because Wisdom had a .947 OPS in the second half and tuned up left handed starters with exact same OPS.
He’s been good for short stretches. Strikes out at an absurd clip, doesn’t get on base, and poor defense. I am actually shocked his ops was that high in second half. I feel like he started off the season on a tear and did nothing for the last 3 months
Wisdom might get traded, but he isn’t getting released. Wisdom wouldn’t clear wavers. Hughes was non-tendered on Nov 23. He sat unsigned until he signed a minor league contract today. Do you know how many relievers got minor league deals before Hughes got one? Hoyer gave Wisdom $2.7M and he wouldn’t give Hughes $750K.
The decision to non-tender Hughes wasn’t a decision between Hughes and Wisdom. The Cubs chose Arias, Assad, Cuas, Hodge, Horn, Kilian, Little, Palencia and Thompson over Hughes.
Hughes has a great story. He was willing to take the ball every time Ross wanted to over use him, so I hope he gets healthy and sticks.
Hated to see him go. Good no risk pickup for the snakes. If he is healthy he should make the team. Was so hoping the cubs were gonna sign him back to a minor league deal.
Solid reliever. I agree Hyatt Visa, Wisdom is long over due for reassignment. Hopefully now that Ross is gone it’ll happen.
“Hopefully now that Ross is gone it’ll happen.”
Counsell was hired Nov 3, two weeks later Wisdom got a $2M raise and Hughes was non-tendered. Doesn’t sound like a guy that’s getting “reassignment”.
Good depth pickup for the Dbacks. Bullpen arms are so volatile from year to tear. The Dbacks bullpen really came together in the second half of the season and became a weapon in the post season. That entire bullpen is back in 2024, but it’s no guarantee they will be the same powerful weapon they were in September and October, 2023. So this signing adds another viable option to keep the bullpen strong. Need 8, have 12-13 quality arms right now.
Nice pickup, twins could have used a lefty:)
I still don’t understand why the Cubs gave up on this guy so quickly. He was really good in 2022.
HBan- Cubs have quite a few LH P’s in the system. You only really need 2 and as long as they keep Leiter his splitter is better against LH hitters anyway. With the rule change that a P has to pitch to 3 batters the whole LH specialist myth is fading away.
This is a Yankees move.
Sad to see this guy go, Ross used him to death in 2022, with his minor league appearances he never had this much work in a single season. As a guy that was new to pitching that must have been rough on his body. If he’s truly finally healthy he should be great for the backs.
Spring Training = “spaghetti on the wall” approach to filling out bullpen.
Hazen genius again. he’s like a guy who can find amazing clothes in the salvation army or clearance.
I am excited to think the Dbacks could have a whole season of a quality bullpen. In terms of bullpen, they were a completely different team at the end of the season. It was the first time I’ve ever seen a mid season bullpen rebuild like that, which was a key factor to making it to the WS. Stockpiling depth is only going to push competition and quality higher. I hope Hazen continues to focus on pitching depth.