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The Astros have re-signed right-hander to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Houston also inked righty to a minor league pact with a non-roster invite to camp. The 28-year-old Kuhnel (29 next month) was designated for a signment by Houston earlier this month. He went unclaimed on outright waivers and elected free agency, as is his right as a player whos previously been outrighted in the past, but hell quickly return to the same organization on a new deal. Kuhnel came to the Astros in a cash swap with the Reds back in June. Hes pitched in parts of four MLB seasons, logging a combined 6.02 ERA with a 19.3% strikeout rate, 6.5% walk rate and 52.5% ground-ball rate. Kuhnel only totaled 13 MLB DeMar DeRozan Jersey innings between Cincinnati and Houston last year but delivered a huge 57.1% grounder rate in that time. However, he also struck out just 5.2% of his opponents in that small sample. Kuhnel throws hard, averaging 95.9 mph on his sinker and four-seamer alike to this point in his career. He incorporated a splitter into the mix beginning in 2022 and has long favored a slider as his go-to breaking ball. Kuhnel has been homer-prone in his career (1.40 HR/9), though the vast majority of that has come in Cincinnatis bandbox at Great American Ball Park. Hes also been plagued by an uncommonly and perhaps fluky low 64.6% strand rate. But between Kuhnels velocity, command and ground-ball rate, there are some intriguing aspects of his profile. Kuhnel still has a minor league option remaining as well, which adds to his appeal. As for Strotman, he was once a prospect of note within the Rays system and was traded to the Twins alongside righty in the 2021 deal that brought to the Rays. Injuries, including Tommy John surgery, have slowed Strotmans development and surely contributed to lackluster performances in the upper minors in recent seasons. Strotman, a 2017 fourth-rounder, was in his first season back from surgery (and the canceled 2020 minor league campaign) in 21 when he was traded to the Twins. At the time of the swap hed posted a 3.39 ERA through a dozen starts, but he perhaps began to wear down thereafter, working to a 7.33 ERA in Triple-A over his next dozen starts. After similar struggles in 2022, Strotman was designated for a signment by the Twins in September. He subsequently bounced to the Rangers and then the Giants but hasnt found succe s. In 97 1/3 innings with the Giants Triple-A affiliate last year, Strotman posted a 6.47 ERA and walked 15.6% of his opponents. Like Kuhnel, he has a minor league option remaining in the event that hes eventually selected to the 40-man. Jalen Rose Jersey |
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发表于 2025-11-16 09:44:34