The Padres introduced Thursday that they’ve claimed righty Glenn Otto off waivers from the Rangers, who designated him for project earlier within the week. San Diego designated outfielder Ben Gamel for project in a corresponding transfer.
Otto, 27, was a fifth-round decide by the Yankees out of Rice College again in 2017. He went to the Rangers alongside Ezequiel Duran and Josh H. Smith within the 2021 commerce that despatched Joey Gallo from Arlington to the Bronx.
On the time of the swap, Otto was one of many extra well-regarded prospects within the Yankees’ system, rating nineteenth on New York’s top-30 listing at Baseball America. He positioned fifteenth amongst Rangers’ farmhands heading into the 2022 season, with BA labeling him a possible fourth starter who might possible be moved to the ’pen if issues didn’t pan out within the rotation.
Otto has gotten appears to be like within the Majors in every of the previous three seasons with Texas, however he’s but to seek out his footing. Whereas the right-hander tossed 135 2/3 innings over 27 begins final yr, he posted a quite pedestrian 4.64 ERA and fanned simply 18.2% of his opponents in opposition to an unpalatable 10.6% stroll price alongside the best way. He additionally struggled in six begins down the stretch following the commerce in 2021, and he was hit exhausting in six bullpen appearances this yr. Total, Otto has pitched 169 2/3 innings within the Majors however carries only a 5.69 ERA with worse-than-average strikeout, stroll and home-run charges (along with a roughly common ground-ball price).
That mentioned, there’s loads in Otto’s minor league monitor file to offer the Friars some optimism. He posted a robust 3.20 ERA in 96 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A throughout the 2021 season that noticed him traded, and that yr’s 35.3% strikeout price and 6.2% stroll price within the minors have been each wonderful. Otto has by no means posted an ERA greater than 3.48 at any minor league degree, and he’s punched out 32% of his whole opponents within the minors.
Otto missed the primary three months of the 2023 season resulting from a lat damage, so he’s pitched simply 40 whole innings this yr. Whereas his 10.13 ERA within the huge leagues (12 runs in 10 2/3 frames) is an eyesore, he’s additionally posted a pointy 3.38 ERA along with his usually promising strikeout tendencies (32.5%) in 29 1/3 Triple-A frames. Otto additionally has a pair of minor league choice years remaining past the present season, plus an extra 5 years of group management remaining. On condition that context, it’s not a shock to see a Padres membership that would lose little bit of pitching depth this winter take a roughly free take a look at the previous prospect.
Extra to return.
