Oakland Athletics Trade Scott Kazmir For Future Catcher, Reliever

Jul 2, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics pitching coach Curt Young (41) runs off the field against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Mengden

Mengden is a product of Texas A&M, where he was 15-17 and maintained a 3.20 ERA throughout his college career. He built a reputation for being a physically tough baseball player, as he has been known to play through strenuous injuries.

Mengden was drafted by the Houston Astros last year, and it did not take him long to climb through their system. He made only six appearances in the Rookie League and in short season baseball, and he only need to make eight appearances (six starts) at Class A Quad Cities before being promoted to High-A Lancaster.

He dominated while with the River Bandits this season. Through his eight appearances, he pitched 38.2 innings, maintained a 1.16 ERA, and had a 4.5 strikeout/walk ratio. He is struggling to pick up where he left off after the promotion, however. Through ten appearances at High-A Lancaster, his ERA has ballooned to 5.26.

So what does he throw?

Daniel Mengden Throws a Slider for a strike. Credit: FanGraphs

MLB’s Prospect Pipeline notes that he has a plus fastball that stays in the low-90s, and that he throws a hard slider that comes in between 81-82 MPH. He also has a curveball and changeup for off-speed options, but they are less effective. Additionally, there is some noticeable deception in his delivery, as seen in the gif above (which can be found in its entirety on YouTube here: Daniel Mengden, RHP, Oakland A’s).

His main strength is control. His scouting grade of 50 in the control area indicates that it is above average, and that is why he may be a viable bullpen option for the A’s in the future. With only two reliable pitches, it may be difficult for him to find work as a starter in the A’s system. But if he has the capability to use two strong pitches that keep batters guessing for one or two innings, and the ability to throw these pitches for strikes, the A’s may be eyeing him as a long term relief option.

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This is why the A’s should not be too concerned about his apparent decline in performance after the promotion to High-A (yet). Between Class A and High-A, his walk percentage increased from 5.2 percent to 8.1 percent. These extra free passes are likely what is causing his surge in earned runs. A pitcher that has made a name for himself throwing strikes does not just suddenly forget how to throw strikes. The most likely explanation is that he is aware that the competition gets stiffer at the higher level, so he started pitching more carefully to batters (resulting in more walks). Expect his numbers to level out in a favorable direction through the remainder of the season.

MLB prospect pipeline rates Mengden as the A’s new number 13 prospect (fifth among A’s pitchers). If the system raises him with the expectation of performing in a relief role, then the A’s may have netted themselves a solid bullpen piece down the road.

Next: Jacob Nottingham