Oakland Athletics Trade Scott Kazmir For Future Catcher, Reliever

Jul 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The time has finally come. Scott Kazmir has been at the epicenter of a whirlwind of trade rumors for what seems like months. On Thursday, the Oakland Athletics traded their second strongest starting pitcher to the Houston Astros in exchange for two prospects playing High-A minor league ball.

Right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham (who fans are already endearingly calling “The Sheriff”) are the two new additions to the A’s minor league system.

The fact that the two players the A’s got in return for Kazmir are only in High-A comes as a surprise, as it was widely reported that the A’s were going to be seeking Triple-A talent to fill in the Major League roster next season. But if the A’s were going to acquire personnel beneath the Triple-A level, then starting pitching and catcher would be the places they would do it.

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Consider the players already available to the A’s at these two positions. Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin, and Sean Nolin are all considered important pieces of the A’s starting rotation going forward, and they will not be free agents until 2018, 2019, and 2021 respectively. At catcher, Stephen Vogt and Josh Phegley are under club control until 2020 and 2021 respectively. It makes sense that Billy Beane was willing to acquire extra-young talent at these positions.

The A’s absolutely need more depth in the bullpen and infield after this. Expect them to actually seek out Triple-A players that are near Major League ready with the upcoming trades of Ben Zobrist and Tyler Clippard.

But for now, everyone is wondering what Mengden and Nottingham bring to the organization. Here is a closer look at the new Stockton Ports.

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